U.S.E. YOUR RESOLUTION: Party band U.S.E., with their dance rock/vocoder funk, is meant for nights like this. The group’s music is perfect for dancing your way into a new January. Lighthearted and bright, filled with an almost unparalleled soulful energy, their musical fireworks make for one hell of a last hurrah. Or if you’re more interested in resolving to begin a new year with a full head of steam, U.S.E. is good for that too. Tonight The Crocodile will be one of the most magnificent portals into the future that Seattle has to offer. With Aqueduct and Fresh Espresso. more ›

PIZZA, COMEDY, AND KIDDOS: This month's Pagliacci comedy night is headlined by Derek Sheen, known for his heavy metal, pop culture, sci-fi, and comic book humor. Hellooooo, nerds! While usual host PRoK's Emmett Montgomery is enjoying his honeymoon, Paul Merrill takes over MC duties, and joining Paul on stage are his two sons Charlie (3) and James (9). Because nothing says comedy like some dude's kids. 8 p.m. // Broadway Pagliacci Pizza // 426 Broadway Ave E // free more ›

FIVE YEARS OLD: Yup, that's Neumos, turning the big five tonight with a party. Helio Sequence, Grand Hallway, and Palmer Electric Co. take the stage tonight. Entry is free when you buy a drink at Moe Bar, which also means it's 21 and over. 8 p.m. // Neumo's // 925 E. Pike St. // free!, 21+ more ›

One Reel just announced The All-American Rejects, The Ting Tings (who we saw just a few days ago), Brett Dennen, and U.S.E will be on the bill for Bumbershoot 2009. That makes the lineup thus far: "Sheryl Crow / Modest Mouse / The All-American Rejects / Katy Perry / Michael Franti & Spearhead / Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan / De La Soul / Raphael Saadiq / The Ting Tings / Brett Dennen / The Long Winters / Sly & Robbie & the Taxi Gang / World Party / MSTRKRFT / Roy Ayers / Common Market / UH HUH HER / Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women / Eric Hutchinson / No Age / Matt & Kim / Dead Confederate / The Cave Singers / Swollen Members / Vieux Farka Touré / Lenka / Gang Gang Dance / Todd Snider / Holy F**k / DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid / Iglu & Hartly / Low vs Diamond / Sera Cahoone / Eleni Mandell / U.S.E. / Carrie Rodriguez / The Honey Brothers / Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head / Extra Golden / Cordero / Forgive Durden / Hey Marseilles / Adrian Xavier, and many more to be announced." Three-day passes to the festival are still available for $80. more ›

We're sitting in Moe Bar, and the key word there is "sitting." After four different bands we needed to rest our sandaled feet, and so we retreated from the steadily darkening, crowded intersection of the Block Party. No photos to share (yet) but here's what we've seen so far! more ›

Friday: Catch Common Market (4:30) and U.S.E. (5:30) at the main stage, then skip over to King Cobra for the second half of Truckasaurus (6:00). Take a dinner break (may we suggest eating something protein-heavy?), then get yerself to Neumo's for Thee Emergency at 7:45. After that, we suggest Das Llamas (it's their last set...THEIR LAST ONE!) at 9:45 at the Cha Cha. To round out the night, buy yourself a fancy rum drink at Havana and party until the wee hours with DJ Curtis. more ›

Seattlest came across a couple interesting stories today regarding substance use and abuse. more ›