CLUBS

Nightstage 823 Main St. Cambridge 497-8200

Thursday: two members of Living Colour, guitarist Vernon Reid and drummer William Calhoun, have joined forces with acclaimed bassist Melvin Gibbs to form an all-instrumental trio, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $11 day of show.

Friday: a former member of Jefferson Airplane, Paul Kantner returns to his folk roots with a predominantly acoustic format, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $11 in advance, $12 day of show. Shockra is back! at 10 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance, $8 day of show.

Sunday: Alex Bugnon, the acclaimed keyboardist and composer, will be performing music from his third release on Epic records, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $11 in advance, $12 day of show.

The Tam 1648 Beacon St. Brookline 277-0982

Thursday: Young Neil and the Vipers.

Friday: Wildest Dreams.

Saturday: Treat Her Right.

Monday: Songwriters' Showcase with John Lincoln Wright, Jamie Walker and Joel Gramolini.

Tuesday: Chris Wynton Henderson.

Wednesday: Beth Sass Band.

Paradise Rock Club 967 Commonwealth Ave. Boston 254-2054

Thursday: blues guitar hero Johnny Winter with special guest Deanna Bogart, at 8 p.m.

Saturday: Drivin 'N Cryin plus The 360s, doors open at 7 p.m.

Wednesday: an evening of psychedelia and flower power! with The Olivz, Love Pollution and Sidewalk Gallery, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $3.50.

Axis 13 Lansdowne St. Boston 262-2437

Thursday: Big Catholic Guilt with EBN and Scratch, at 10 p.m. Tickets are $5.

Saturday: Pigface. See all three shows for $15 with special advance tickets available at Ticketmaster or Axis. 7 p.m.

The Western Front 343 Western Ave. Cambridge 492-7772

Thursday: Positive Bent (reggae, jazz, soca).

Friday and Saturday: Winston Grennan (ska-rocks, reggae).

Edible Rex 251 Old Concord Rd. Billerica (508) 667-6393

Thursday: Christmas party benefit for the homeless with Change of Pace, Borrowed Time and Furor.

Friday: demo release party with The Allens, with Equal Lites and Big Hot Sun.

T.T. The Bear's 10 Brookline St. Cambridge

Thursday: Laurie Geltman, with Hyena Club and Ragweed.

Friday: Letters to Cleo with The Rafters, The Barneys and Lurking About.

Saturday: Law and Order with Killjoy, Cheater Slicks and Predators.

The Channel 25 Necco St. Boston 451-1905

Thursday: Spin Doctors with Life In Between, Dreams Made Flesh and Tsunami Poets.

Friday: one can short of a 6-pack series, presented by Maverick Concerts: The Jesus Lizard with Gumball, Six Finger Satellite, Bewitched and Kudgel.

Saturday: modified motorcycle association Christmas party with Revolver, Southbound and Rhythm Rockers. Tickets are $10, $12.50.

Sunday: Bad Brains with Slapshot and Sam Black Church. Tickets are $10, doors open at noon.

Outer Limits 29 Hancock St. Quincy 328-1500

Friday: Molly Hatchet with The Enchanter, Stampede and Stone Blue. Tickets are $9.50, $10.50.

Saturday: Boston's metal legend Wargasm with Slaughter Shack and Only Living Witness. Tickets are $7.

Vertigo 1 Necco Pl. Boston Call 426-7744

Thursday: Dr. Carrot with Drastic Measures and Rache Alpert. Tickets are $5.

Saturday: Spam Paris and United Snakes. Tickets are $6.50.

The Rat 528 Commonwealth Ave. Kenmore Square 536-2750

Thursday: Christmas extravaganza with The Demoulas, Bad Art Ensemble and Rainbowz.

Friday: The Revolvers with Nevermore, The Keep and The Time Begins.

Saturday: Cop Shoot Cop and guest Slaughter Shack, Batmantic and Twisted Roots.

Johnny D's 17 Holland St. Davis Square, Somerville 776-2004

Thursday: Funk! With Chuck with Exhibit A and Mind Over Matter.

Friday: Big city blues and soul with Boston Baked Blues.

Saturday: New Orleans blues guitar legend Earl King

Wednesday: folk rock extravaganza with John & Mary (formerly of 10,000 Manicas), Rick Berlin and the Vindicators.