Otis Taylor's picks of the week

8 tonight: Hick'ry Hawkins at The White Mule. Hick'ry Hawkins' honky-tonk music kicks up too much dust, and even if he isn't going to the top of the country charts, his music always has a clear direction. With Skye Paige and $10 Parachute. For more on $10 Parachute, see On the Scene. The White Mule is at 1530 D Main St. $7; (803) 661-8199

8:30 p.m. tonight: The Jaded Rakes at Elbow Room. The Jaded Rakes incorporates a lot of styles - alt-country, folk, decades-old rock and punk - which sounds like a mess to work with. But this band is anything but a mess, and it's easy to listen to. With Whiskey Tango Review and Paddy Dover. Elbow Room is at 2020 Devine St. (803) 253-7888

9 tonight: Papa String Band at Hard Knox Grill. Papa String Band, which released its self-titled debut late last year, will perform a show that will also serve as a video shoot. Diehards of PSB's meticulously stacked music should reserve a spot. It's hard enough to get music fans out to see shows, but even harder when your venue is on Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce, a few stoplights past State Street. But it's worth the drive (as if it's that far) to check out the crisp sound system, which PSB will undoubtedly take advantage of. Hard Knox Grill is at 1000 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce. (803) 834-3910

8 p.m. Saturday: The Brisbones at Elbow Room. The Brisbones, a blues-rock band that plays with knuckled-up energy, gets it. The band has a lot to say. More importantly, though, the music gets the point across. With Jesse Isley.

10 p.m. Saturday: Kenley Young and The Open Fires at The Whig. Kenley Young and his backing bandmates will start the new year like they ended the last: playing a lot of shows. If there's a demand, why not supply it? With David Adedokun. The Whig is at 1200 Main St. (803) 931-8852

8 p.m. Saturday: Americana music tribute at The White Mule. Local musicians will pay tribute to the music of Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash and Jerry Jeff Walker. Devils in Disguise, John Satterfield, The Plowboys, Jellyroll, Delicious Dish, Tough Mama, DNR and Darren Woodlief will perform. $6 in advance and $8 at the door

9 p.m. Saturday: Those Darlins at Art Bar. Those Darlins, a trio from Murfreesboro, Tenn., might be pretty and sweet, but don't let the name fool you. These ladies will only stand by a (cheating) man after they've knocked him to the floor. Kelley, Jessi and Nikki Darlin play and sing at their own speed. On "Wild One," a sneering punk song that's hidden beneath a trotting guitar-and-drum beat, the girls sing, "If you can't handle crazy, go ahead and leave / If you don't want a wild one, quit hangin' around with me." Don't play with them - unless you really mean it. With Magnetic Flowers and Capital City Playboys. Art Bar is at 1211 Park St. $5; (803) 929-0198