Shows for you to enjoy tonight:

Fresh-faced Welsh-men The Automatic (known stateside as the Automatic Automatic for reasons known only to a few record label schmoes) bring a UK-sized pop-punk ruckus to the always lovely Bowery Ballroom. In 2006, their halfway-novelty hit "Monster" (featuring a both enduring and hilariously unexpected chorus) dropped on BBC like a ton of Rarebit, and with their slot on the western swing of the recent Warped Tour, Yanks were introduced to their unbelievably energetic live show and their excellent debut Not Accepted Anywhere. Expect the unexpected ... and a few 15-foot jumps from rafters or stacks of speaker cabinets. Check out "Raoul" and "Monster" on TheirSpace.

Feeling a little more adult / bluesy / sinister? Or, is the prospect of seeing the opening acts at Bowery leaving you a little flat? Please see the tuneful-but-volatile harmonium-bass-drums power trio Beat the Devil, with their early "Secret Showcase" in the basement of Cake Shop. It's their first performance after their already-legendary appearance at South Street Seaport that wowed thousands, and it may be your last chance to see them for a while (as the band is departing for a lengthy tour after the show). I can't vouch for the cake, but i can sure vouch for the rock. Full disclosure: this author's band opens at 8pm. Beer + sake special too.

Tomorrow: an entire weekend of legendary New York acts, for $3? Stay tuned.

Photos by Jackie Roman