Consistency is an underrated virtue in these challenging and changing times. Just as you can count on the stock market to recklessly bounce up and down like a fat kid on a trampoline, for years Boston has been able to count on the reliable Emergency Music to deliver the goods for the able ear. Delegates of pop perfection, old Emergency will headline an increasingly rare appearance this Saturday at T.T. the Bears. Bostonist caught......

It seems everyone is talking about bib numbers, their knees, or the New Balance they hope are broken in by the time Marathon Monday rolls around. There’s not much time to train for the treck past Heartbreak Hill, but it’s not stopping lots of people out there. These bands aren’t on the run. They’re kicking up the amps and pumping pure, sweet decibels of goodness into our ears all week long. Tuesday 4/11 Shumai Indie......

Don't forget Saturday is the Bostonist Anniversary Party at the Kinsale. In the interim please feel free to rev yourselves up with some of the great music rolling down the pike. Monday 3/20: Editors Neo-post-punk brits Editors (a la Joy Division & Bloc Party) with appropriately asterisked Stellastarr*. Roxy. Editors: Myspace | All Sparks.ram | purchase Tuesday 3/21: The English Beat, Westbound Train, The Sterns, and DJ Ford E. Buxworth More than just a......

Sample these tracks and let us know what's in your iPod playlist this week. Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers |Local Rock Hang on Mike [download] Bostonist Stefan lists The Candy Butchers among his favorites and although had issues narrowing his track choice down to one, recommends "What to Do with Michael" as your first download. Boston shout out: Mike Viola, lead singer, grew up in Stoughton. Various Artists |International Funk Rio Baile Funk:......

Despite recent surges in population (due to the start of the academic year) and some violent events in the not-too-distant past, Allston has not, in fact, been declared a disaster area (as opposed to New Orleans, shown at right). But these similarities are exactly what makes Boston's own "Rock City" the perfect place to host three nights' worth of benefit shows for Katrina relief and recovery efforts. Great Scott on Commonwealth Avenue is the venue......

If you're like Bostonist, you love partying on Wednesday nights. Thankfully there are a number of good options to keep you up late: Blackout Bar at Great Scott's: Cocked n Loaded, DJ Mark V and Eric (Sex Positions) spin good punk, indie, rock, metal, etc. Dead Meadow shit on the walls and tables [9pm/$5/18+] Paradise Rock Club: The Information, The Good North, Asobi Seksu, Emergency Music [in the backroom][8pm/18+] T.T. The Bear's: Truth Serum......