PLAN A: Murder by Death, Ha Ha Tonka, Linfinity @ The Casbah. In a just world, Bloomington, Ind.-based Murder by Death (above) would be as big as their brethren in O’Death, Drive-By Truckers and Lucero. With somber lyrics and a bombastic, psych-country sound, they live up to their ridiculously awesome name. PLAN B: Elvis Costello @ Balboa Theatre. No Attractions or Imposters in tow, and you can likely expect Costello to be sans Telecaster, as well (check out the video below to get an idea of the wit and vigor that you can expect). The songs on his new, mostly country LP, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane, would make his hero George Jones stand up and clap. And in all likelihood, he’ll play stripped-down versions of his hits, too. Ever hear “Pump it Up,” hoedown-style? BACKUP PLAN: Sleep @ The Loft at UCSD.

OTHER COOL STUFF:

Thread @ Horton Plaza. Malls are for suckers. There’s just something about being in the presence of all that overzealous consumption that’s really depressing. But here’s something that’s not depressing: a huge space that was once a department store that for one day only will be filled with mini-boutiques run by local, independent designers. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, April 11, you can shop directly from more than 100 indie designers at the Thread Show at the Horton Event Space (Fourth Avenue and Broadway, Downtown). For this show, Thread has moved beyond clothing and will have art, furniture and accessories for sale—plus, food and drink, music and a photo booth for good measure. Way better than any mall we’ve ever been to. $8 with RSVP, $10 at the door.

Wheat Harvest Project Benefit @ Sea Rocket Bistro. Twenty percent of sales from the North Park restaurant will go to the Wheat hARvesT Project, which is bringing the process of growing wheat and milling the grain into flour to unexpected places, or as they say, “bringing wheat to the street.”

Patty Griffin, Scott Miller @ Belly Up.

Tha Element, The Breax, P.C.H., Jehsyn Lavélle, DJ Artistic @ 4th & B.

The Dwarves, Hellions, End of Power, Kill Deville, The Strikers, The Goddamn Gallows @ Brick By Brick.

Psychedelic Horseshit, Jeans Wilder, The Endless Bummer, The Preteens @ Soda Bar.

Gui Boratto, Kyra 3Plus, Ali Ghanavi @ Voyeur.

Gaux Nu Vaux (DJ Set) @ Wit’s End.

“Too Many Creeps” w/ DJ Mario Orduno @ Whistle Stop.

Mad Happy, DM Progress, DJ Bryan Pollard, DJ AM Bones @ Ruby Room.

Authentic Sellout, The Aggronauts @ Bar Pink.

Audrina Band, Vera’s Veil @ Lestat’s.

Brandon Saller, Beta Wolf @ Anthology.

Photo of Murder by Death above by Greg Whitaker.

PLAN A: Rocky Votolato, Adam H Stephens, Correatown @ The Casbah. It can sometimes be difficult for singer-songwriters to bring the emotional weight of their recordings to a live performance, but Rocky pulls it off. And after a rather mixed foray into alt-country on his last record, he’s back with the killer, folk-based heartbreaker True Devotion. PLAN B: Cat Party, DJs Barnesy @ Radio Room. Cat Party are definitely one of my favorite new bands. If you think no good band could ever come out of the O.C., you’re about to get your mind blown. Check out our review of their new release. Apparently, I’m not the only one who hears gold. BACKUP PLAN: The Zeros @ Bar Pink. The mostly local punk legends play a warm-up gig before heading to South by Southwest. I don’t think I have to remind you how kick-ass their last warm-up gig at Bar Pink was but if you didn’t see that one… 

OTHER COOL STUFF:

Brian Fick @ Sea Rocket Bistro. San Diego photographer Brian Fick has been able to capture some sweet skateboarding action images. Maybe that’s because he’s a longtime skater himself. He does some really nice things with a fish-eye lens and has also been able to illustrate skate culture in non-action photos. His work will be on view at Sea Rocket Bistro (3382 30th St. in North Park), beginning with an opening party today from 4 to 10 p.m. Sea Rocket will make available, among other dishes, sloppy joe’s made with pastured pork and fish tacos with local, wild-caught fish, plus drink specials throughout the evening. The folks at Sea Rocket say it’ll likely get crowded, so they urge anyone wanting a relaxed dinner to get there early. 

“Alex Perelson Indy Air” by Brian Fick

“Amnesty International Fundraiser” w/Gregory Page, Mario Escavedo, Joey Harris and Sara Petite @ Ould Sod (4 p.m.). 

“Bohemian Rap City” open mic rap night @ Kadan. Not “Bohemian Rhapsody,” as seen on sddialedin’s listings, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from someone whose idea of supporting local hip-hop is by not talking about it at all. In any case, I spent my birthday last Sunday at this weekly hip-hop open-mic night and had a blast. You can read all about it here and while it’s free for all, I would highly encourage you to drop a donation to host Miki Vale, who’s trying to raise enough money to go to South by Southwest. 

The Green Carpet Oscar Party @ The Loft at UCSD. Join The Loft for a night of entertainment, film and eco-friendly fashion by Green Envy Clothing and +E (Positive Energy). Walk the green carpet in your most stylish ensemble and win prizes for predicting the winners. Door at 4 p.m., show at 5.

“Laugh For Recovery” Comedy Show @ Belly Up (3 p.m.). This comedy show benefits the individuals, families and communities impacted by mental illness and substance abuse. With performances by Chris “Kid” Reid, Chris Clobber, Shayma Tash and Bob Murphy.

Summation 2009-2010 @ Escondido Municipal Gallery (3:30 p.m.). Celebrate the release of The Merging of Art and Poetry, a book by San Diego County poets with the art that inspired them. Hear from the poets and see large scale projections from the book.

Goal Dreams @ Central Library, Downtown (2 p.m.). Documentary about the Palestinian national soccer team, whose members are made up of different nationalities, speak different languages and have no home field to play on.

Jean Frederic Neuburger @ Neurosciences Institute. (3 p.m.). The renowned pianist performs as part of the Chopin Bicentennial Celebration.

Manchester Orchestra, The Features, Biffy Clyro, Oh! Brother! @ House of Blues.

Blind Boys of Alabama @ Belly Up. 

“Too Many Creeps” w/DJ Mario Orduno & friends @ Whistle Stop.

Jake Allen, Jim Earp @ Lestat’s.

Spero Lumina, Hocus @ Ruby Room. 

Damaru @ Encinitas Library (2 p.m.).

Rocky Votolato photo above by Christopher Nelson. 

Tonight, I might watch the vice-presidential battle at Sea Rocket Bistro, who’ll have their bar TV tuned to the debate (with sound) and has an excellent local beer selection, which should help you choke down Palin’s folksy aphorisms (did you know she’s a poet too?).  Anywhere else in town that’ll be serving drinks and food with a side of politics?

• Get yourself over to Sea Rocket Bistro. Eating local has never tasted so good.

• Remember high school? Remember it better thanks to American Teen, a documentary about American teenage youth.

• Kids without parents do best when they get into foster care, because they have a good chance of getting adopted. So why is California giving most of the money to group homes?