Live music picks for WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5 through TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2011

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5 / LADYTRON / THE PHOENIX / 410 SHERBOURNE / $20 / 19+

Brian Eno once called Ladytron "the best of English pop music," and once you've heard the band's signature blend of electro-pop and experimental riffs, you'll understand why. Their fifth album, Gravity the Seducer, was released last month to much acclaim. Check out the band as they take the stage at the Phoenix — you might even hear a song or two in Bulgarian, and how often can you say that? Sonoio offers support.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6/ WAKEY!WAKEY! / THE DRAKE HOTEL / 1150 QUEEN ST. W / $13 / 19+
Wakey!Wakey! is fronted by Michael Grubbs, who plays the character of Grubbs on the hit teen drama "One Tree Hill". Sticking to the indie-rock/pop that the show is well-known for promoting, Grubbs sings and plays piano while being backed by horns, strings, and other accompanying instruments.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 7 / EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY / SOUND ACADEMY / 11 POLSON / $33.75 / ALL AGES
By now, you've probably heard of Explosions in the Sky — if not through word of mouth, then through the use of their music in the film/TV show "Friday Night Lights." These instrumental rockers are known for their lengthy tracks and elaborate, complicated compositions, and released their latest album Take Care, Take Care, Take Care earlier this year. Indie-rock duo Wye Oak opens.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 8 / COBRA SKULLS / HARD LUCK BAR / 812 DUNDAS ST. W / $15 / 19+
Punk-rock trio Cobra Skulls is fresh off the release of their latest album, Agitations. The band, which is signed to perhaps the most famous punk label out there, Fat Wreck Chords, will bring their quick-and-dirty songs to the Hard Luck Bar along with supporting act Nothington.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9 & MONDAY OCTOBER 10 / PORTISHEAD / SOUND ACADEMY / 11 POLSON / $69.50-$109 / ALL AGES
Fans of Portishead are rejoicing over the fact that the band has launched a North American tour for the first time in years. Well-known for their experimental sound and mix of heavy synthesizers and haunting vocals from front-woman Beth Gibbons, the band will play not one, but two shows at the Sound Academy, which should please fans. After all, when they'll come back after these shows is anyone's guess.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 11 / FUCKED UP / MOD CLUB / 722 COLLEGE / $17 / ALL AGES
Possessing what is unquestionably one of the great band names of all time, Fucked Up, the Toronto-bred hardcore punk band that won the 2009 Polaris Music Prize, will take the stage at the Mod Club with "special guests." Who these special guests might be is anyone's guess, but if they're friends with a group of guys called Fucked Up, you've gotta think that they know how to rock.

Photo of Ladytron by Ceats on Flickr