Music Picks 

Thursday 2.15
ttCarlos Cornia (Urban Lounge); Dukes of Ted (Suede, Park City)

Friday 2.16
ttTHE SHINS
ttFaux newsman Stephen Colbert recently challenged The Decemberists to an on-air guitar duel after the group, who he referred to as “hyperliterate prog-rockers,” allegedly stole his concept for a green-screen contest. While bizarre, the spectacle was wildly entertaining. One can only assume his next target will be the hyperliterate, hypersensitive indie-rockers The Shins, a group who recently went down in history as not only the first Sub Pop act to appear on Saturday Night Live but also the label’s first stars to debut at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with their sweet (if awkwardly titled) release Wincing the Night Away. The quartet-turned-quintet are using their newly stoked cred to boost opening duo Viva Voce with the Portland duo’s Anita Robinson backing James Mercer on several new Shins tunes. In The Venue, 219 S. 600 West, 6 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com.

SLAMMYs Party
ttStill fuming over the SLAMMYs? Might as well skip this concert pick'it’s all about the winners. We’re here to celebrate, not debase, a specific segment of the city’s most talented musicians. Are there other rad bands in town? Of course! Consider this a sample of the crème de la crème. If you dig tonight’s performers, contest winners Palomino (Best Acoustic/Folk) and Neon Trees (Best New Band), perhaps next weekend you’ll check out Band of Annuals, Blackhole, Subrosa or any number of cool acts gigging steadily under radar. Be proactive. Or at least show up for comic emcee Marcus: Man of 1000 Voices'and the chance to win a free guitar! The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 8 p.m. Info: SLWeekly.com.

SLUG 18 PARTY
ttMost kids celebrate their 18th birthday with cigarettes, strippers and the draft. SLUG did all those things (except the whole armed forces part) as soon as it hit the streets as Salt Lake City’s premiere underground music publication. Since then, the magazine has walked a nice line between anarchy and conscientious objection all while supporting local bands. And, though some might argue the unpaid writers devote too much copy to national acts, you’ve got to hand it to Editor Angela Brown and crew for centering their anniversary party around four defunct Salt Lake City groups with a reunion extravaganza. Somewhere someone is freaking because Iceburn are performing. Not sure if the same level of obsession applies to Clear, The Stench and The Corleones, but they’re certainly legends in their own right. Rock! Club Vegas, 445 S. 400 West, 9 p.m. Info: SLUGMag.com.

- Also Friday: Patty Larkin (United Church of Christ, Holladay'see Music, p. 58); Demise, The Meth Lab (Monk’s); The Roots (Harry O’s, Park City); Clumsy Lovers (Suede, Park City)

Saturday 2.17
ttAN EVENING OF BOB DYLAN
ttWhile Logan’s St. Boheme won the first round of Showdown to SLAMMYs fair and square, second-place winners Marcus Bently and the Beat Surrender are no B-Side players. The local alt-country group, who lost by a mere two points, produce solid, weathered material distinguished by Bently’s Jackson Browne-smooth delivery. But are they good enough for Dylan? Find out when they pay tribute to the legend along with Band of Annuals, Glade, Matt Lewis, Joshua James, Paul Jacobsen and other fine Utah bands. Velour, 135 N. University Ave, Provo, 8 p.m. All-ages. Info: VelourLive.com.

ERIC MCFADDEN TRIO
ttThere’s something about Eric McFadden that brings to mind Tom Waits or Mark Lanegan. Maybe it’s the voice, gruff and sinister but completely attractive. McFadden brings it with a higher pitch but still conveys the dark, sultry mood one expects from a couple of hard-drinking old souls. Then there are other songs on which McFadden goes mute to highlight wicked guitar-playing skills. This is a man who played with Joe Strummer, P-Funk All-Stars, Bo Diddley and even Widespread Panic. Don’t worry. This is a no-jam zone. Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Tickets: 746-0557

- Also Saturday: Hurt (Avalon Theater); Entoven (Club Vegas); The Front (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Afroman (Suede, Park City)

Sunday 2.18
tt- Casket Salesman (Country Club, Ogden); Eric McFadden Trio (Brewskis, Ogden)

Tuesday 2.20
tt- Styx (The Depot); Pete Yorn (Suede, Park City); Mad Caddies (Country Club, Ogden); Harper (Wine Celler, Ogden); Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Eccles Center, Logan)

Wednesday 2.21
ttt- Lola Ray (Kilby Court); 56 Hope Road (Urban Lounge); Particle (Suede, Park CIty); Heartland (Teazers, Ogden)

COMING UP
ttGomez (Suede, Feb. 23). Dead Prez (Urban Lounge, Feb. 23). Laserfang (Slowtrain, Feb. 24). Joseph Israel (Urban Lounge, Feb. 24). Taste of Chaos Tour (E Center, Feb. 26). Winger (Club Vegas, Feb. 26). George Clinton & Parliament Funk (Suede, Feb. 26). Saturday Looks Good to Me (Urban Lounge, Feb. 28). Take Action Tour (In the Venue, March 6). Hella (Kilby Court, March 8). Kittie (Country Club, March 12). Plain White Ts (In the Venue, March 13). Badly Drawn Boy (Urban Lounge, March 19). TV on the Radio (Urban Lounge, March 21). Dirty on Purpose (Kilby Court, March 25).