PERFORMANCES AN OPINIONATED GUIDE

THURSDAY

* Something For Nothing (Charlie’s, 362 California St., Ventura. 648-1888) All original, all loud, all wild rock ‘n’ roll by this local quartet with two tapes to sell you.

* Cirith Ungol (Club Soda, 317 E. Main St., Ventura, 652-0100) Heavy metal from a Ventura band that’s been around a long time. They’re big in Belgium.

* Pat, Fin & Greg (Alex’s Cantina, 633 State St., Santa Barbara, 966-0032) This pop/folk rock trio is tighter than your boss and can sing as well as anybody. They’ve been doing this gig for three years--I’ll bet they show up.

* Leo Downey Band (The Ketch, 514 State St., Santa Barbara, 564-3231) This original rocker is about as popular as free money and he’s got two CDs to sell you. As usual, the joint will be packed. Also Friday.

FRIDAY

* Irie (Charlie’s) Industrial strength reggae comes to the beach and every song seems to be about three weeks long--hey, that’s reggae.

* The Pixies, Carnival Art, This Ascension (Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura, 648-1888) The headliners will be bringing their alternative rock to town to thrill all those people in black who are stoked beyond adjectives over the band’s latest effort, “Bossanova,” which features absolutely no Steve and Edie references.

* Pat, Fin & Greg (Zack’s, 1111 E. Cabrillo St. at the Sheraton, Santa Barbara, 963-0744) Pop rock at the beach, smartly done. Also Saturday.

* Urban Dread (La Casa de la Raza, 601 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara, 965-8581) It’s a rockin’ reggae benefit performance. Oh, and this place has killer burritos.

SATURDAY

* Expression (Charlie’s) Intense and brooding rock from these locals who have been around for years. They’d also love to sell you a tape.

* Lion I’s, Urban Dread, Das, Professor Einstein (Ventura Theatre) It’s a holiday reggae fest, mon.

* The Mudheads (Alex’s Cantina, Santa Barbara) Let’s not mess around--this is the best band around here. Check it out.

SUNDAY

* Matt Schulte and Bill Coffey (Charlie’s) Mostly original folk music by Schulte, who used to be in Crashing Plains, and Coffey, lead singer of the Mudheads. Together, they harmonize like the Everly Brothers.

MONDAY

* Pat, Fin & Greg (The Grill, 1279 Coast Village Road, Montecito, 969-5969) . They play a lot because they don’t have day jobs. That’s why they can sleep until 2 in the afternoon.

WEDNESDAY

* X, Mary’s Danish (Ventura Theatre) Both bands are pretty loud and they can’t sing, but critics love them. Stranger things have happened.

Yup, it’s only rock ‘n’ roll and thus these listings are subject to change. Mom was right--call first.