The Amygdaloids, Joseph LeDoux, Tyler Volk, Daniela Schiller and Amanda Thorp,  are four scientists who play rock and whose songs are based on the work they do at their day jobs.  Rosanne Cash appeared on their last album and they’ve played live with Lenny Kaye, Steve Wynn and The Kennedys.  Tonight’s show is the CD release show for their new EP, All in Our Minds.  No matter what their day job is, these guys really rock.

The Amygdaloids, The Bowery Electric, 327 Bowery between 2nd and 3rd Streets (6 Train to Bleeker Street or Astor Place, F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 2nd Avenue exit), 7pm, $7

Jan. 28 - The Ramblers - The Living Room – 10pm

Jan. 29 – Syrian Relief Concert – A concert to benefit the humanitarian crisis in Syria featuring Dylan Connor, Milton, Benjamin Cartel, Victoria Vox and more - The Living Room -4:30-6:30pm ($20 contribution  requested)

Jan. 29 – Li’l Mo’s Field of Stars with Monica “Li’l Mo” Passin, Drina Seay, Homeboy Steve and Candy and Women – Treehouse at 2A – 8:30-11:30pm

The return of CBGBs?  The Gothamist reports that CBGBs is looking to return.  That is, whoever owns the trademarked name CBGBs (original owner Hilly Kristal died some years ago) is looking to open a new club with that name someplace in Manhattan.  Apparently, much of the club’s equipment is currently in storage, ready to be reused.  And there’s a poster for a CBGBs music festival this summer, shown here, that has surfaced.

I can’t believe I’m writing this. Southpaw will be closing its doors for good Feb. 20th. The venue’s been sold.

There’s some confirmation of this from the Facebook page of Alex Battles and The Whiskey Rebellion which states:

2nd night of the Johnny Cash 80th Birthday Bash will be at Littlefield due to the closing of Southpaw.

That show was (and still is) scheduled for February 25th.

Yes, this an early show (6:30pm start time), but it’s a good one.  The Radio Free Song Club is described on their website as:

a group of veteran writers with a monthly song deadline. Host Nicholas Hill presents these new tunes along with interviews and live performances and special guests. Some of the songs are finished and fully produced, some are roughly recorded fragments, some in-between. The writers are looking for a good song, the world is looking for a good song. Someone might get lucky.

The Radio Free Song Club draws on a number of musicians. Tonight’s musicians will include, at a minimum, Dave Schramm, David Mansfield, Jeremy Chatzsky, Kate Jacobs, Dave Schramm, Amy Allison, Joe McGinty, Clem Waldman, Jody Harris, Doug Wieselman, Freedy Johnston, Peter Blegvad and Peter Holsapple.

Radio Free Song Club,  The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street between Stanton and Rivington Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), 6:30-9pm, No Cover (but a contribution for the musicians is highly encouraged)

Jan. 26 – Suzzy Roche and Lucy Wainwright Roche, book release and performance – Barnes and Noble Union Square – 7pm

Jan. 30 – Harper Blynn Residency, David Mead opens at 7pm - The Living Room – 7-9pm

Jan. 31 – Harper Blynn Residency, Johanna and the Dusty Floor opens at 7pm - The Living Room – 7-9pm

Feb. 1 – Harper Blynn Residency, Aaron Lee Tasjan opens at 7pm - The Living Room – 7-9pm

Feb. 2 – Harper Blynn Residency - The Living Room – 9pm

Feb. 3 – Harper Blynn Residency, Blake Hazard (from The Submarines) opens at 7pm - The Living Room – 7-9pm

Feb. 4 – Harper Blynn Residency, Poundcake opens at 7pm - The Living Room – 7-9pm

Also in February, KaiserCartel (Ben Cartel and Courtney Kaiser) will be playing The Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 for the first time.  During the middle of the month KaiserCartel will be the opening act for The Jayhawks for three shows in the Midwest.  That band will finish off the month with another New York City show on February 29.

Just a few days ago I posted a video of Willie Nile playing his anthemic song One Guitar at one of the Asbury Park Light of Day shows with Bruce Springsteen and James Maddock joining in.  Although Bruce was nowhere near The Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 on Friday night, Willie Nile was there and he took the stage and with James and his band backing him performed One Guitar to the delight of everyone in the room.

Yeah, I know it’s snowing.  But it’s the third Saturday of the month and that means Spanking Charlene is again playing The Lakeside Lounge.  And tonight is the record release show for the brand new Where Are the Freaks, the brand new album the band on Wicked Cool Records. So come early, get a CD and a tee shirt and listen to Charlene, Mo, Alison and Eric Seftel with very special guest, mostly 5th member, and stylish shoe wearer – Eric “Roscoe” Ambel combine rock and punk.  And the band promises that they will be celebrating until the wee hours.

Spanking Charlene, Lakeside Lounge, 162 Avenue B near 10th Street (any train to 14th Street or the L Train to 1st Avenue, transfer t0 the M14A or M14D bus to 11th Street and walk to Avenue B), 10pm, No Cover.