Positively State Street

SENSUAL SEDUCTION: If Valentine’s Day has you feeling blue, come out of your shell on Friday, February 15, and enjoy the upbeat sound of Blue Turtle Seduction at SOhO (1221 State St.). This eclectic band from South Lake Tahoe combines reggae, blues, and ska and their music incorporates mandolin, fiddle, harmonica, and, of course, traditional guitar, drum, and bass. Their lyrics are equally wide-ranging, drawing on everything from affairs of the heart to affairs of the state, and whether they’re singing about love or politics, the overall effect is always as engaging as it is infectious. Make sure you check them out at 9 p.m. with San Francisco band Izabella. For tickets and info, call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.-Mollie Vandor

RING OF FIRE: Ah, Valentine’s Day. For the single gal on the go, no holiday incurs the fiery wrath of a furious and burning hatred more than this day of pastoral romance and sunshine balladry. Bedazzled with flying babies and punctuated by the mass consumption of antacid-flavored heart candies, Valentine’s Day stands proud in its consumer frenzy. So rather than succumb to forced dating, complete isolation, or a depressing gal pal cluck-fest, why not enjoy a sublime evening of music with the Man in Black? The Cash Prophets, a Johnny Cash cover band, turns the bittersweet Folsom prison of confirmed bachelorhood into a screaming and cathartic recitation of real, ramshackled love. The Prophets’ sound-much like their namesake-falls somewhere between emotional folk honesty, early rock rebelliousness, and weary country blues. Join the rest of the romantic outlaws for a free Valentine’s Day show at the Mercury Lounge (5871 Hollister Ave.). Visit myspace.com/mercurylounge for more information. -Jessica Hilo

MIGHTY HERDSMEN: Usually, the word “nerf” conjures up images of foam rubber footballs. But pair it with the word “herder” and the phrase takes on a whole new meaning. It refers to either the race of shepherd-like beings from the Star Wars universe, or the Santa Barbara nerd-rock band of the same name. Nerf Herder (the band) garnered much of its fame after penning the ubiquitous theme song for everyone’s favorite WB hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but their lo-fi punk tunes traverse all kinds of cultural environments. Their song subjects include perverts, Star Trek‘s Mr. Spock, and perverts. They even manage to explain why Van Halen sucks in less than four minutes. In fact, they only seem to fail at one thing: taking anything (including themselves) too seriously. Come indulge in pure punk rock fun when Nerf Herder plays Goleta’s Mercury Lounge (5871 Hollister Ave.) on Saturday, February 16. Call 967-0907 for details. -Tyler Vickers

SEX AND CANDY: While many loyal to the Santa Barbara music scene are too young to have experienced disco’s heyday in the 1970s, through the disco-electro twosome Glass Candy we can all live vicariously in the generation of flashy lights and John Travolta-inspired fevers. This is not to say, however, that these Portland natives deserve to be labeled as a gimmicky, “throwback” act. Vocalist Ida No’s seductive, breathy lyrics and producer Johnny Jewel’s down-tempo synths also add a sexy dose of modern electro that is ready-made for the dance floor. Catch the undeniably cool Glass Candy alongside Maria and DJ Arod at Muddy Waters Cafe (508 E. Haley St.) this Sunday, February 17, at 8 p.m. Call 966-9328 for more details. -Joel Aurora

SAN DIEGO’S FINEST: In support of the release of their 2007 album, Autumn of the Seraphs, Pinback will grace Ventura with their melodious presence on Wednesday, February 20. Comprised of duo Armistead Burwell Smith IV (aka Zach) and Rob Crow, Pinback incorporates sensitive yet innovative lyrics with progressive rock riffs and dissonant, building instrumentation. Avoiding the sometimes-pretentious connotations of indie rock, Pinback’s music is universal-not just for hipsters who crave the next obscure thrill. MC Chris opens the show at 8 p.m. at the Majestic Ventura Theater (26 S. Chestnut St.). Tickets and info can be found by visiting ventura-theater.net.-Jessica Small