Positively State Street

GOLDEN STATE: The Muddy Waters Cafe (508 E. Haley St.) will host three different sets of traveling troubadours on Saturday, November 24: The Northern Two, The Mutineers, and Fast Heart Mart. While it would be easy to shove each one of these groups under the vague label heading of “indie rock,” that sort of description unfairly narrows the range of their quirky but poignant styles. The Mutineers claim three members who honed their sweet’n’sour folk sensibilities in San Fran before moving down to rock locally in Santa Barbara. Fast Heart Mart’s trademark “intimate yet dinky” sound comes straight out of New Mexico’s alternative scene. Finally, Los Angeles represents with The Northern Two’s Atari-infused electronica that originated somewhere in the lost arcades of the 1980s. Doors open at 8 p.m. -Tyler Vickers

GRRRL POWER: Girl in a Coma, the newest addition to the Blackheart Records roster, is coming to Muddy Waters. And judging by their quickly growing acclaim, this won’t be a show to miss. Formed over a shared love of music, this band made up of high school best friends-plus one li’l sis-are being celebrated for their unique sound and raw talent. Though they have been playing together for six years now, their debut CD, Both Before I’m Gone, didn’t hit the shelves until May of this year. But the record is already drawing comparisons to the musical ingenuity of the Smiths, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the Pixies. Girl in a Coma has already been featured on the Vans Warped Tour, and as an opening act for Morrissey and Boz Boorer, proving that some high school dreams really can come true. Don’t miss the newest thing to hit chick rock at Muddy Waters on Thursday, November 29, at 8 p.m. -Stephanie Flint

BREAK ON THROUGH: Santa Barbara-based Them Terribles may have a name ripe for mockery and cheap shots, but their sound is anything but-securing them a heavily vied-for finalist position in a contest currently running on MTV2. The Terribles’ sound is a clever merging of early ’60s guitar riffs-think the Animals, the Troggs, or the Yardbirds-and the poppy proto-punk energy of the Hives, MC5, and the Neckbones. The band stands apart with their rhythmic edge and vocals that oscillate from lazy to shrieking and viciously spit upon whatever hazy, reminiscent allusions they make to an earlier era. With a successful album-Rock, Paper, Terribles-and their ongoing effort to champion this year’s national battle of the bands, the Terribles are catching a well-deserved break. Don’t miss Them Terribles at Velvet Jones (423 State St.) on Friday, November 23, at 9:30 p.m. -Jessica Hilo

MOVIN’ ON UP: Let it be known; it’s not just reggae bands that are making the jump from Isla Vista to the real music world. Lately, more and more I.V. bands are taking it off Del Playa, seeking out some like-minded music-makers, and hitting the equally packed-and similarly party-hearty-State Street scene. Two of this breed, The Roosevelt Special and Nice: On Ice, have recently teamed up to play shows in Los Angeles and here in Santa Barbara. The Roosevelt Special, formerly the Old Souls, explore a blend of blues-rock with a vintage, Wilco-like sound. Meanwhile, Nice: On Ice-a duo whose members play about a half-dozen instruments between them-utilizes their assortment of tools and toys to make poppy, upbeat tracks that incorporate some truly dark lyricism. Catch the two bands together when they play SOhO (1221 State St.) on Thursday, November 29, at 9 p.m. The show is for those 21 and older. Call 962-7776, or visit sohosb.com for more information. -Dave Peterson