Especially,

TONIGHT (FRIDAY):

Kick off the weekend with longtime scenemaker Chandler and partner in crime Vignault at Lakeside Lounge during happy hour (6:30 to 8:00 or so). It’s free and full or great tunes.

Sticking with Manhattan, you could head to the Cake Shop afterwards for Imaginary Icons and Manikin. II’s first show in a while. $8

Or you could head over to Otto’s for another installment of ABC Rebel Night, a boppin’ set of rockabilly and early r’n'b to dance to. Free.

You could head a bit uptown to Hell’s Kitchen for the return of the Underthings with Born Loose at Bar Nine in Hell’s Kitchen (9th ave). We think this is a free show too.

Over at Home Sweet Home on Chrystie St, we expect Jonathan Toubin to be rockin’ his usual “Shakin’ All Over Sideways Down” night. Free this week?

Back over in Brooklyn, there’s still plenty to do…

At the “loft” at Public Assembly, it’s the second edition of the new Subway Soul Club with DJs Phast Phreddie and Ty Jesso. $6 cover but it’s got the exclusive club room vibe and is sure to be the real deal. Look for the door marked “70″ next to Music Hall of Williamsburg.

INSIDE Public Assembly (the main space), there’s a rock’n'roll show of the most explosive kind: Boston’s baroque roquers Upper Crust return and are more than ably supported by the excellent Othermen. $10 at the door.

Further down in Brooklyn you’ll find the Reigning Sound, the Swingin’ Neckbreakers, and the Jayvons at Southpaw for $12. You might try to cop tickets online as it could sell out at the door.

And over on 3rd ave, you’ll find the Brought Low at Hank’s Saloon doing the free show thing.

Let’s not forget the Garden State– if you’ve over in Jersey, check out the Doughboys & the Grip Weeds at the Record Collector in Bordentown, NJ. Early show should be fun.

SATURDAY: