Music Picks 

Thursday 12/15

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BOB SCHNEIDER, SUFFRAJETT

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We like to think audiophiles prize depth over appearance, but judging by reviews of Chicago’s female-fronted Suffrajett, lead vocalist Simi could sound like Bobcat Goldthwait and her band would be equally revered. Fortunately, Simi sounds nothing like Bobcat'or Lenny Kravitz for that matter'despite a similar wicked-stylish ’do. She’s sweeter and less cocky, albeit wholly confident and irresistible. Bandmates Jason Chasko (who co-produced and co-wrote Liz Phair’s Whitechocolatespaceegg), Kevin Roberts (ex-Elysian Fields) and Scott Freeman (ex-Sullen) create a gritty rock & roll backing track more lethal than any looks that kill. Port O’ Call, 78 W. 400 South, 9 p.m. Info: 521-0589, PortOCall.com.

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Also Thursday: SuperSoFar, Ayin (The Circuit); Will Sartain, TaughtMe (Urban Lounge); Guttermouth (Suede, Park City); David Banner (The Vortex)

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Friday 12/16

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SCHOOL OF ROCK: LED ZEPPELIN SHOW

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Unlike the Ramones, students at Salt Lake City’s Paul Green School of Rock want more than chicks and kicks. Plus, they actually dig their teachers. With professors like Gentry Densely (Form of Rocket, Smashy Smashy), Dave Payne (Red Bennies, The Breaks, Coyote Hoods), Secily Saunders (Less Than Never) and Van Christensen (Purdy Mouth, Hello Amsterdam) showing them the ropes, they have no room to complain. Tonight, after eight to 10 weeks of grueling rehearsals, students will display their skills with an all-Zeppelin show featuring requisite hits and some obscure numbers for good measure. Previous concerts have sold out, so get your tickets while they’re hot! The Circuit, 7711 W. 700 West, Midvale, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 800-888-8499, SmithsTix.com (also Saturday).

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REMEDY MOTEL

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After moving to California to pursue the big time, Utah-bred Remedy Motel are back in town to promote their third release, My Favorite Record (RemedyMotel.com). The porch-rockers hope album sales will help bring in enough dough to fund a new RV (apparently residuals from their brief appearance on Snoop Dogg’s Doggy Fizzle Televizzle with “I Get High” weren’t enough), otherwise they’ll be hoofing or thumbing it to the next town. Considering their December 2003 Salt Lake City CD release party attracted over 950 people, RM has a shiny Winnebago waiting in the wings. Hog Wallow Pub, 3200 E. Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd., 9 p.m. Info: 733-5567 (also Saturday).

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Also Friday: Neil Diamond (E Center); Bar J Wranglers (McKay Events Center, Ogden); Kid Robot (Mechanized); Subrosa, KNVS (Violet Run House); Stiletto, Heaters, Starmy (Urban Lounge); Hangar 18: Megadeth Tribute (Club Vegas); Royal Bliss (Liquid Joe’s); Ghostowne (Suede, Park City)

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Saturday 12/17

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U2, KANYE WEST

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It’s been quite a year for Kanye West. He cruised into 2005 on a crest of much-deserved buzz, proudly displaying his three Grammy awards for College Dropout while proclaiming himself the savior of hip-hop. Then came Late Registration, an equally impressive album that somewhat justified West’s ballooning ego. In September, he appeared on a Hurricane Katrina telethon and announced, “George W. Bush doesn’t care about black people.” West stands by his allegation but is perhaps more concerned with convincing America he deserves additional accolades: “If I don’t win Album of the Year, I’m gonna really have a problem with that.” How the hell are they going to fit West’s and Bono’s heads in the same arena? The Delta Center, 300 W. South Temple, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 325-7328, Ticketmaster.com

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Also Saturday: School of Rock: Led Zeppelin Show (The Circuit); Remedy Motel (Hog Wallow); Fail to Follow, Contingency Plan (Todd’s Bar & Grill); Our Time in Space, Unsound Mind (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Candy Cane Benefit (Egos)

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Sunday 12/18

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ED GEIN

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Just in time for the holidays, it’s Ed Gein! Sure, Judas Goats & Dieseleaters is no Handel’s Messiah, but the story of Jesus isn’t exactly a carefree romp, either (see: giving birth in a manger). The Syracuse, N.Y., trio’s sophomore effort is a lump of coal wrapped in nails and barbed wire. Critics often label them as “uneconomical” but that’s just a fancy way of saying Ed Gein spares no mercy for the guitar. They’re also pretty hostile toward ignorant minds: “A large portion of the world’s population falls into one of the unfortunate categories of either being a betrayer or one of the millions of mindless, resource-eating followers,” says Aaron Jenkins, Gein’s bassist/lead vocalist. Club Boomva, 2701 Washington Blvd., Ogden, 6 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with August Burns Red).

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COMING UP

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Swamp Donkeys (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Dec. 23). Jackass (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Dec. 29). Spörk, Shred Bettie (Brewskis, Dec. 30). The Wolfs (Urban Lounge, Dec. 31). Form of Rocket (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Dec. 31). Thunderfist (Egos, Dec. 31). Wolf Colonel (Kilby Court, Jan. 4). Story of the Year (Ice, Jan. 5). SXSW Prelims (Various, Jan. 6-7). Motion City Soundtrack (Harry O’s, Jan. 6). Beautiful Creatures (Club Vegas, Jan. 7). Robert Earl Keen (Harry O’s, Jan. 11). Michael Franti & Spearhead (Suede, Jan. 20).