The Watchmen, Tom Cochrane And Choke In Edmonton

So, it appears another year of mis-spent youth has finally passed us by. That means it's time to make resolutions about "never drinking that much again," "working out three times a week" and "finally perfecting those choreographed dance moves to all the *Nsync videos."

But before we give up all the sinning for stair-masters there is still one last chance for debauchery to be had, so behold the best bets in Edmonton for your festive merriment on New Year's Eve. If somehow you've missed the Watchmen the last eight-hundred times they stopped by E-Town in the past few months, or if you just happen to find Danny's meticulously shaved shiny Q-Ball head a serious turn on, then you'll be glad to hear they'll be dropping by The Shaw Conference Center once again.

Shocore and their posse of go-go dancing hussies will be opening up for this one — no word yet on whether their usual attire of strategically placed electrical tape will be replaced with more festive decorations. Hey, it's better than watching the latest edition of Dick Clark's (rocking!) New Years Eve special from your parents' basement, isn't it? Tom Cochrane plays Nashville's Electric Roadhouse in the big ol' mall on the 31st and if at least one highly inebriated person doesn't show up just to request "Life Is A Highway" over and over and over again I'll be very disappointed.

Across the way, Red's plays host to The Travoltas while The King's Knight Pub rings in 2002 with Face Fist. But if rockin' in a mall isn't your bag, then Edmonton's finest novelty-Celtic-rock-farm-folk-whatever band Captain Tractor will be blasting out the drinking-songs at Inferno. If your hobbies include shooting golfers with a 22, building transmissions from scrap metal, or cheap Canadian beer (and lots of it!) then this is the gig for you.

Last, but certainly not least, New City Likwid Lounge plays host to an evening of '80s glam rock with a couple of bands out to perform your favourite covers from the decade that brought us acid washed jeans, crimped hair and Tiffany's mall tour. Edmonton punk rawk scenesters Choke will be appearing as their alter-ego Wicked Fantasy and some mystery band known only as Knights In White Satan will also be making an appearance.

Commence slam dancing in ripped Van Halen t-shirts now. Whether you get drunk, get high, get laid, steal something, shave someone else's dog, wear a stupid hat or screw skis onto an old couch you bought for $5 from Value Village and use it as a make shift toboggan to launch yourself down the river valley at 60-plus miles an hour, just make sure you have a good time.

Rock safely, and we'll see ya next year kiddies!