This week’s column features news followed by numerous concert listings. For the record, the ‘80s are tired and over-referenced. The new year in pop culture is 1990.

For those of you who didn’t hear, Portland’s The Shins keyboardist, Martin Crandall, was arrested and then not charged last week for domestic violence against his partner, Elyse Sewell. I found that story to be somewhat shocking considering the generally Zach Braff-oriented cultural milieu surrounding the band.

Thought-rockers and perpetual critical darlings Radiohead recently announced the list of American cities that will be receiving them in 2007 — Seattle made the cut. There was no information given about the date or the venue. Radiohead need not trifle with such minutia. I will probably skip the concert and use the money I saved to buy a new midsize car.

In other music news, global electro acts Hot Chip, Crystal Castles, Justice and Simian Mobile Disco have all threatened to make Seattle appearances in the next few months. I look forward to each of those shows like I look forward to the birth of my first child.

The electronic music thing is the greatest trend in music since gangster rap. Unfortunately, 2008 electro features even fewer positive role models for young people, since all the musicians are, in fact, robots. Check for dates and venues on each band’s Myspace, though most of those shows will be hosted by The Showbox and will cost between 20 and 30 bones.

There are a few all-ages shows (shows which I believe embody the Northwest spirit of Wild and Wooly nighttime fun) I’m very excited about coming up in January and February.

Maryland-based toy-tronica musician Dan Deacon plays at Neumos Jan. 20 to a sell-out crowd of unicorns, sea otters and plastic robots.

That same night, my friends in the bands Pwrfl Power; Little Party and the Bad Business; Generifus and Paper Whale play at the Greenhouse. After winning a contest at last summer’s Capitol Hill Block Party, Pwrfl Power will be featured in an upcoming Esurance commercial.

The following Thursday, NYC-meets-Manchester neo-late-’80s pop musician White Williams plays Club Pop (at Chop Suey) with equally awesome HEALTH from Los Angeles. A show infusing the spirit of pseudo-ironic underground prog-metal and bizarre nostalgia pop in a club that normally hosts DJs will be an exercise in the cultural flexibility of Seattle’s 18+ scene of kids-in-the-know.

Blue Oyster Cult plays the Emerald Queen Casino on the 26th. Want to go with me?

Garage rockers Black Lips play Neumos Feb. 4. Their sound is like a re-imagined soundtrack for the cinema classic Rebel Without a Cause recorded with the help of mescaline and The Book of Revelations.

Lastly, Pitchfork Media folk rockers The Mountain Goats play at Neumos Feb. 23 to a sold out crowd of, um … mountain goats. Is it wise to cultivate a following of farm animals? Yes, says one local fictitious club owner, because they always buy drinks. Who knew?

I’m now going out to one of the four awesome all-ages shows within easy bus distance from the U-District. Wish me luck on the path to scene-stealing. Feel free to join in.