PERFORMANCES AN OPINIONATED GUIDE

THURSDAY

* Something For Nothing (Charlie’s, 362 California St., Ventura, 648-6688) Energetic local quartet that out-rocked Bob Mould and Firehose a couple of Sundays ago at the Ventura Theatre.

* Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan (The Grill, 1279 Coast Village Road, Montecito, 969-2261) Acoustic blues--originals and obscure covers--done right by two men from Santa Barbara who have had this gig so long that even yuppies hadn’t been invented when they started here.

FRIDAY

* Lion I’s (Charlie’s) Rockin’ original reggae by a local group that has been going through a lot of horn players lately. Bring your dancin’ shoes and your horn in case you’re feelin’ that show-biz itch. They’ve got a tape and now even T-shirts.

* Wafflebutt, Trip Master Monkey (Hussing’s Cantina, 3639 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, 656-0069) “A band so nasty they have to play next to the sewage treatment plant.” That’s what the flyer said.

SATURDAY

* Shinehead, The Upbeats, Roughneck Posse (Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St. , Ventura, 648-1888) It’s going to a reggae dance party, mon. The headliner adds a touch of rap to his infectious foot candy.

MONDAY

* Raging Arb & The Redheads (Alexander’s, 1050 Schooner Drive, Ventura, 658-2000) This week’s Blue Monday becomes Red Monday as those local bluesy rockers make their debut at Alexander’s. It’s Ventura’s ultimate dance party by the band that’s been around longer than you have.

* Mosaic (Charlie’s) When folk singers Evans and Van Loan add a few more musicians, they become folk rockers. They’re tight too. Folk singers Bill Coffey and Matt Schulte will do a memorable 6 p.m. happy-hour set.

TUESDAY

* Official Resistance (Charlie’s) Raucous and raunchy rock ‘n’ roll from Santa Barbara led by swaggering singer Vince Dirt, who has the rock ‘n’ roll attitude down pat. He has more tattoos than any four Hell’s Angels chapters too.

* Joseppi’s Wedding Band (Joseppi’s, 434 State St ., Santa Barbara, 962-5516) It’s rock ‘n’ roll given the Cecil B. DeMille treatment--there’s a cast of hundreds who will be entertained by a band that knows a million songs.

* TSOL (Carnaval Club, 634 State St ., Santa Barbara, 965-8422) Black leather rock ‘n’ roll in the AC/DC vein by a band that’s been around for 10 years. The slam pit should be slamming.

* Kenny Loggins (Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara, 963-4408) The slender pop rocker will be doing a benefit for Christmas Unity.

WEDNESDAY

* Ariel (Charlie’s) They look like new-wavy tortured artistes but they rock hard in a bluesy sort of way. All original stuff worth checking out.

Yup, it’s only rock ‘n’ roll, and thus these listings are subject to capricious change for no apparent reason. Mom was right--call first.