Wednesday Happenings

Rock

-- Jay Reatard's music veers from the sloppiest of garage to the goofiest of new wave contrivances. There's a little of fellow Memphis punk rockers Oblivians in his sound but also a healthy dose of XTC and Wire. Playing with Cola Freaks, the Konks, and Vancougar. Middle East Upstairs, 472 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, 9 p.m. $12.

Dancing Hipsters

-- Hi-NRG for 2008? Hercules and Love Affair throw it back to the days of Patrick Cowley, Man to Man, and Dead or Alive. It's what Antony (of the Johnsons) is up to these days, so be wary if the Nazis come up. With DJs E-Marce and Red Foxx Middle East Downstairs, 472 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, 8 p.m. $16.

Expertise

-- Brookline homeboy, Daily Show fixture and the living embodiment of PC computers John Hodgman reads from his new book More Information than You Require. Likely to sell out. Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St., Brookline, 6 p.m. $5 (Sold out but limited walk-up tickets remain available).

Image of John Hodgman from Wikipedia.