Live music picks for TUESDAY October 18 through MONDAY October 24, 2011

TUESDAY OCTOBER 18 / PORTUGAL. THE MAN / THE OPERA HOUSE / 735 QUEEN E / $20 /19+
Having released an album every year since their debut in 2006, it can never be said that Portugal. The Man isn't consistent. The five-piece prog-rock band from Portland is currently touring to support their most recent album, In The Mountain In The Cloud, which was released this past summer.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19 / NURSES / THE DRAKE HOTEL / 1150 QUEEN W / $11.50 / 19+

Call it indie rock, call it psychedelic pop, call it downright strange - there's no denying that Nurses brings a unique sound to the table. The trio managed to avoid the sophomore slump with the release of their album Dracula back in September, and they show no signs of slowing down. Playing the Drake with Dominant Legs.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20 / SHONEN KNIFE / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN W / $18 / 19+

This Japanese all-girl pop-punk trio has been going strong since 1981 and has gained a cult following - not just in Japan, but globally. Between an extensive worldwide tour and the release of a tribute album to The Ramones, 2011 has been a busy year for the ladies. It's safe to say that there will probably be a Ramones song or two thrown into their set at the Drake.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 21 / SKREAM & BENGA / GUVERNMENT MAIN ROOM / 132 QUEENS QUAY / $25 / 19+

2011 has been the year that dubstep truly emerged as a mainstream genre. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is debatable, but one thing that can't be debated is the talent of London-based duo Skream & Benga. They've left a significant mark on the scene, and are amongst the elite dubstep producers in the world. the Guv Main Room should be absolute madness for this one. Marcus Visionary and Hydee will be spinning the opening sets.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 22 / DIE MANNEQUIN / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN W / $18.75 / 19+

This local band has made a big name for themselves in a short period of time. They owe a lot to Toronto radio station 102.1 The Edge, which has given their songs significant air time and got them started on their path to success by having them play the Next Big Thing stage at Edgefest 2006. Since then, the band has toured with Marilyn Manson and opened for whatever band Axl Rose is passing off as Guns 'N Roses these days. The Horseshoe Tavern should serve as a good venue for their sound.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 23 / BORIS/LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $22.50 / 19+

Hailing all the way from Tokyo, Boris is a trio whose sound defies any consistent description. They've opened for Nine Inch Nails in the past, so they must be doing something right. Having released no less than 3 (!!) albums in 2011, the band is currently on a North American tour to support their new album New Album. And yes, that's what it's actually called. Asobi Seksu will open.

MONDAY OCTOBER 24 / DECAPITATED / THE MOD CLUB/ 722 COLLEGE / $27 / ALL AGES

Death metal is a genre that I've admittedly never really understood, but there's no denying that it has quite the following. Decapitated, from Poland, play a brand of death metal known as "technical death metal." I'm not exactly sure what that means, but it's fairly safe to say that it's gonna be loud. The band is on tour to support their album Carnival is Forever, which was released this past summer. Decrepit Birth opens.

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Photo of Portugal. The Man by Johanna Bocher on Flickr