Rock in the New Year - Live music options for New Year's Eve

Wednesday (NYE) is amateur night.  On the outside chance that the drunk people who opt for live music on New Year's Eve might be a little more fun to hang out with than the drunk people who don't, here's a roundup of what bands are playing where, plus a few miscellaneous club parties.

As has been the case the past couple years, my pick of the batch is Mark Mallman at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, where you just can't go wrong.  (Last year he played his piano with a motorized scooter, which had never been done by anyone....ever before.)

Please leave additional suggestions and corrections to bands, times, prices in the comments.  Also, with the recession in full effect, I've noted that many of the big clubs are offering deep discounts now on their admission fees.  Might be worth calling and asking for a deal if you go the party route.  Most of the live music prices, however, are pretty reasonable.  And despite the recession, expect the music venues to be packed and some shows to sell out.

This list is in alphabetical order by venue.

331 Club	A Night in the Box w/ The Brass Kings	9 p.m. $0
400 Bar	The Magnolias w/Tim Casey and the Martyrs and High on Stress	9 p.m., 21+, $5 advance, $8 door
7th Street Entry	Eyedea & Abilities	9 p.m., 18+, $15/15
Bedlam Theater	Eve of the New Year Masquerade Ball, with: Dreamland Faces, Carpscale Orchestra, Brass Messengers, DJ Asylum Soundsystem	4 p.m., $7/10
Big V’s	MC/VL, Unicorn Basement, Haunted House and Beatrix Jar.	9 p.m., $5
Clubhouse Jaeger	NYE edition of Transmission with DJ Jake Rudh featuring new wave, '80s, electro, and punk. Complimentary hors d'ouevres and champagne toast at Midnight.	$8/10
Epic	Chuck Love, The New Congress, Ben Michaels, DJ D.Mil, Jiz Tha Goods, Jevne, Timmay and featuring Vox Medusa Dancers, Aerialist Jim Domineck, Infiammati Fire Troop, Hula Hooper Jessica Bessette, Ill Chemsitry Beat Boxers, The Warriors and Sub City Rockers B-Boy Crews, in addition to the TRVSDJAM set that will be streamed live.	Check price
Fine Line Music Café	Hooker’s & Blow w/ The Alarmists	8 p.m. $50/60
First Avenue	New Year’s Eve – A Party we can believe in. With SOVIETPANDA, MIKE THE 2600 KING, DJ SMITTY, and ROY FREEDOM	8 p.m. $18+ $10/15
Hexagon	Dance Band, Best Friends Forever, Fort Wilson Riot, and Nyteowl.	$5 w/ one free drink
Landmark Center (St. Paul)	Vic Volare	Doors 8, Music 8:30, $40
Lee’s Liquor Lounge	Belfast Cowboys	9 p.m., $8 (to 1 a.m. only)
Barfly (loft) “The Spirit of ‘09” (Sponsored by Vita.m)	DJs Hercules & Love Affair, Le Castle Vania, Klever, and a performance by local electro rockers Solid Gold.	8 p.m. Cost: Advance $30 ($45 Door) VIP $70 ($80 Door)
Myth (Maplewood)	“Black & White NYE Ball”	8 p.m., $25/30
Nomad (Free!)	This free party will feature live music from Military Special and The Invincible Kids, a disco dance party, meat raffle, and a French champagne toast at Midnight.	9 p.m., 21+, $0
Turf Club	Local bands covering classic rock bands. Vampire Hands (as the Rolling Stones), Daughters of the Sun (as Led Zepplin), and STNNNG (As the John Spencer Blues Explosion), DJ Winship plays between sets.	9 p.m., 21+, $5
Varsity Theater	Mark Mallman, E.L.nO. & Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles + special guests	8 p.m. $12