The National seems to be having a hard time filling spots in their schedule, but they seem to do a good job of making each show they do book something special. This time around it’s relative newcomer Kathleen Edwards performing a special seated acoustic show with John Doe of the legendary punk outfit X. Apparently Mr. Doe has spent his latter years performing folk and country while pursuing an acting career. Edwards is a slight bit like Gillian Welch, but with more pop-country marketability.

Josh Hoge is playing the Canal Club, supported by Chesapeake native Chris Richardson, known best as a contestant on the sixth season of that show that tries to find an idol for all of America that I keep hearing about. He (kind of) looks like and (kind of) sounds like Justin Timberlake, so if that’s your thing then his is a pairing will probably have you jumping up and down while releasing a high pitched squeal of joy.

Singer-songwriter Kate Campbell brings her lovely voice and narrative story songs to Ashland Coffee and Tea tonight. She's touring behind a brand spanking new CD "Save the Day," a sentiment we can all get behind.

Murder by Death, as the simplicity of the name might suggest, is a very simple Americana ban that has been swimming in relative obscurity for quite awhile now but will almost certainly blow the roof off of the Canal Club. There’s a darkness in their style that leaves a great weight hanging over each song. It’s noir country. Yeah, that’s it. MBD will be with the hootin’ and hollerin’ William Elliot-Whitmore and J-Roddy and The Business.

Is it rockabilly? Is it punkabilly? Is it hellbilly? Is he really a reverend? Answers to all this and more when Reverend Horton Heat lights up Toad’s Place with Nashville Pussy and Reckless Kelly.

Sat. 11/8

Remember that song from The Departed? That was the Dropkick Murphys. They’re basically the most well-known Irish/oi/punk around these days and they want to spend this fine Saturday evening with you at Toad’s Place. Also hanging around, afraid to slip-up and accidentally make an Irish joke will be Angel City Outcasts and Everybody Out.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is bringing Richmond a double-dose of its epic rock opera this Saturday at the Richmond Coliseum.

What do you get when you mix the two Richmond bands Louisiana Territory and Santa Rouge with Mississippi’s Colour Revolt? Well, according to their MySpace pages it’s gonna be a whole lot of something called “indie”. I think that stands for “independent,” which is something I wasn’t aware had a sound associated with it. Anyway, I hear Richmond is chock full of it.

The Camel is helping in the whole surf-rock revival by bringing The Lost Patrol to town. The New York trio is touring in support of their new release, Matinee. The Lost Patrol is not to be confused with The Lost Patrol Band, the group formed by Dennis Lyxzen out of the ashes of The (International) Noise Conspiracy. Though, there was a really nasty legal dispute between the two.

In a continuing quest to bring the obscure into the smoky pool-hall lime light, The Triple

presents The Royal Bangs, Color Kittens, Tokyo and Phil & the Firefly. It’s going to be

another night of a whole lotta indie with a few home brewed Virginia bands providing

backup to Knoxville’s The Royal Bangs. How about we all make them feel at home.