Live music picks for WEDNESDAY AUGUST 29 through SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2012.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 29 / JELLO BIAFRA AND THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $25.75 / 19+

You know what they say: there's always room for Jello. Now that the obligatory pun is out of the way, we can focus on the show in question. Jello Biafra was one of the founding members of punk rock legends Dead Kennedys, and has been one of the most prominent figures in the California punk scene for the better part of 30 years. His new band, the awesomely-named Guantanamo School of Medicine, released their debut album in 2009 and is set to release their follow-up later this year. Simply put, if you're a fan of punk rock, this is your chance to see a true legend of the genre in action.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 29 / THE ARKELLS / CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION / $16 / ALL AGES

If you're down at the Ex on Wednesday night, and you're looking for something to do after you've consumed your Krispy Kreme burger and deep fried bacon monstrosities, why not check out one of the best bands to ever come out of Hamilton? Since the release of their debut album, Jackson Square, in 2008, The Arkells have been remarkably consistent with the quality of the music they've churned out. Their 2011 album Michigan Left was, I'd argue, one of the best albums of the year. They're an absolute joy to see live, and the show is included with your CNE admission. The Darcys will offer support.

THURSDAY AUGUST 30 / LATE JULY / THE DRAKE HOTEL / 1150 QUEEN W / $10 / 19+

Sometimes you come across an artist whose music absolutely blows you away right from the first moment you hear it. This is what happened to me when I first heard Late July, aka Nicole Simone. An extremely talented multi-instrumentalist who was born in Toronto, Late July's music might just break your hear when you listen to it, but in the best possible way. This show is an album release party for her third record When the Curtain Falls. Mystery Skulls will also be performing.

FRIDAY AUGUST 31 / THE CULT / THE PHOENIX / 410 SHERBOURNE / $48 / 19+

Arguably one of the best bands to ever come out of Britain, The Cult have been together for 25 years (it would be close to 30 if not for a four-year break-up in the 90s). Best known for their 1985 megahit "She Sells Sanctuary," the band became well known in their 80s for their gothic-tinged heavy metal and very flamboyant stage presence. 48 bucks is actually a very good price for a show like this, so if you're a fan, you won't want to miss it.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2 / THE OFFSPRING / ECHO BEACH / 909 LAKESHORE W / $57.50 / ALL AGES

There's no denying the fact that time has not exactly been kind to The Offspring. Over the last few years, this once-groundbreaking punk rock band has been reduced to generic, bland pop-punk that doesn't hold a candle to their earlier stuff. However, I'm including this show in the Hot Ticket because they will certainly dip into their incredible early material (from albums such as Smash and Ixnay on the Hombre), and that will be worth the price of admission. You may have to suffer through a little shit to get to the gold, but trust me, you'll hear it. Dead Sara will open.

For more music listings, check out our August concerts roundup or head on over to our events calendar.

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Have an event you'd like us to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO events calendar.

Photo of The Arkells courtesy of eastscene on Flickr.