Will Sell First-Born For Minus The Bear Tix

There's something so intoxicating about when a band sells out a show well in advance - all of a sudden, you don't just want tickets, you need them. Your general happiness depends on them. You're willing to do whatever it takes - you just need the tickets in hand so you can skip happily off to the show and walk past everyone else who couldn't get them. Those who weren't willing to sacrifice.

The latest band to drive Boston music fans to their knees?* Minus the Bear. The Seattle-based band smoothly takes bits of electronic, shoe-gaze, indie and prog to form catchy pop both pretty and a little gritty at the same time; it just as nimbly sold out shows at the Middle East Downstairs that will take place tonight and tomorrow night. We'll give Boston listeners credit - the August release "Planet of Ice" is an album that pulls you in and gets you grooving. We're particularly partial to "Throwin' Shapes," a track armed with a driving beat and easy, lilting vocals that you can hear on the band's myspace.

People are starting to get desperate to catch the band live, as demonstrated by Craiglist posts on Tuesday. Tickets were originally $15, but we saw postings by people willing to pay $20, $25, and $30. And then there are the folks that really want it: "Will Drive Anywhere, Name Your Price."

Ticketholders, let's put it this way: from the sounds of things, you might be justified in dancing into the Middle East singing, "I've got the golden ticket! I've got the golden ticket!"

But if you do, hold on to that ticket tight. You drop that sucker and you can forget about it.

*We meant either to beg or weep, you perverts.

Minus the Bear, with Subtle and Ela, perform at the Middle East Downstairs tonight (doors at 7:30 p.m.) and tomorrow night (doors at 8 p.m.). Image of "Planet of Ice" cover from Minus the Bear's website.