Thursday Night Dancefest

Tonight's gonna be washed out, so why not look ahead to two whitehot parties going down tomorrow, Jan. 8.

Make it New in Cambridge always brings in international DJs they tell us we should already know about, then we end up sleeping on it and see the pics the next day and then get all frowny-eyed and skunk-tailed. Well here's advanced warning: Marcel Dettmann of Berlin nightlife mecca Berghain drops by the Middlesex Lounge for what should be the Techno set of the early year. Oh, he's also retardedly attractive, so leave the girlfriend home.

Across the river and down in the Dot, So Dope kicks off the new year at dbar with a free indie-electro party featuring Damien Paul of Technolust and resident Jay K the DJ. This is the new party to keep an eye on in 2k9. Options, folks, we have options.

Giantess' "You Were Young" and Boston electronic music

This time last year, I was all about the Passion Pit EP I had on a dodgy burned CD-R, and my obsession clearly was the catalyst for them becoming all famous (Ha!). Now, another local synthpop act I've pegged for stardom is ruling my domespace, with a pill show coming Feb. 27.

They're called Giantess, and their jam 'You Were Young' is the feel-good hit of the winter. Seriously, if this shit doesn't warm your heart and melt all the ice outside, nothing will. Got that Passion Pit vibe, and will probably encite a thousand dance parties from here to San Francisco.

But it got me thinking. Now that Passion Pit are huge and Giantess soon will be, there's suddenly this blossoming synthpop and electronic music scene in Boston. Vets Freezepop and Lifestyle have held shit down for years, but now comes Chester French, Matters & Dunaway, Coralcola, Andre Obin, and even Big Digits. Not all have the same sound, mind you (and yes I know Coralcola is Worcester and M&D are RIP), but Boston isn't just a garage rock city anymore. Dance lives.

Rescue Nite ::: New party at the Model

New party from the good folks @ Rescue in Allston. I've never been a huge fan of the Model, especially for dance parties, but the soundtrack here sounds dope (if not kinda familiar, though with more of a punk turn) and as long as it doesn't infringe on my Rock of Love time, should be worth a look. Viva la Allston, Rising tide lifts all boats, all together now... all that stuff. Boston is seriously becoming one fun fucking town again.

Bang Camaro on Conan O'Brien

From today's Hotline: Bang Camaro brings the boys to Conan O'Brien tomorrow night, and the Dead are back on tour (Yes, the Dead. It's a slow news week.)

Bang-ing Conan: Still cruising with a full tank, Bang Camaro will unveil a new model for 2009 when sophomore album “Bang Camaro II” is released on Jan. 13.

But nothing could jump-start the new year better than a live appearance on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” tomorrow, when the talk show host and Brookline native shows some love for our local rock troops.

“I am extremely excited to appear on Conan,” said Camaro guitarist Alex Necochea. “It was one of those pipe dreams Bryn (Bennett) and I talked about when we started this band.”

The guitar heroes will perform a new song, “Revolution,” found on both the new album and EA Sports’ video game “The Sims 3.” Bang Camaro will hit the “Late Night” stage with its full band and eight vocalists, and Hotline can only hope O’Brien joins in on the fist-pumping, hard-rock glory.

“We’re planning a few surprises,” added Necochea. “Too many, actually. We’ll see what sticks by the time the taping starts.”

After that the band travels to Florida to join Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Simpleman Cruise for four nights at sea from Miami to the Bahamas. Check out bangcamaro.com for more information.

Best hockey beatdown in ages

Alexander Semin is no fighter, but he goes all Animal on the Drums over the weekend against the Rag$. This would rule even if it wasn't a Ranger getting pummeled, and the fact that it's a Staal brother is a super bonus.

Charm School reunion

Tonight's the night! Will we see Sharon Osbourne beat down Megan Hauserman? I sure as fuck hope so...

New Lies In Disguise track !!!!!

Early entry for Banger of the Year 2009: Just-posted jam from Lies In Diguise (Dylan Le Castle Vania & Blake Miller) called 'Meet Your Replacement.' Holy shit, this kills.

DJ set @ Throwed next Tuesday (Jan. 13)

Fucking siiiiiick. E-Marce's new dance party brings myself and Jay K the DJ of SO DOPE to Throwed on Jan. 13. 18+ electro rager... Can. Not. Wait.

For reference, here are the pics from the Throwed New Years party, featuring E-Marce, Rogue Waves, Lipgloss & Cigarettes.

Courteeners to open for Moz

They ain't no Eli "Paperboy" Reed & the True Loves, but Morrissey has slightly redeemed himself by bringing the UK's the Courteeners on tour with him through North America.

Together they hit the House of Snooze on March 29, but in the meantime I HIGHLY recommend checking out the Courteeners' blistering modern-indie single, "Not Nineteen Forever," which led off our latest free pill dance comp.

Milan Lucic rules at everything

Even during the days of Cam Neely, I've never, ever watched a Bruins game and thought, "I wish that guy was on the Devils." Not Ray "Gotta Go To Colorado To Win" Bourque, not Andy "Cookbook" Moog, and not that weird Russian guy who disappeared right after scoring 30 goals in 1992 (His name was Dmitri Kvartalnov, kids). Not Blaine Lacher, not Darren Vam Impe, not Jason Allison.

That all has changed this year with the emergence of Milan Lucic, a motherfucking beast of a player who has so far redeemed all the Cam Neely comparisons. But while he punches and scores his way through the NHL at a blistering pace for a 20-year-old power forward, the real question now becomes: Can he be beaten at Rock Band 2? Find out Sunday at the Bruins Wives Carnival at the Garden.

Mark Stuart, Blake Wheeler and Matt Lashoff will also take part in the tournament, which happens during Sunday's General Session from 3 to 5 p.m. Tickets to the event are $20, though it's extra to play the game.

Hopefully this all leads up to a Devils-Bruins Eastern Conference Final.