Otis Taylor's picks of the week

7 tonight: Devils in Disguise at The White Mule. Devils in Disguise pieces the purest elements of Americana and country with rock 'n' roll into its music. In other words, they write the music so you - and, of course, the band - can have a good time. Music is best when it's simple. With Papa String Band, which recently released its self-titled debut, and The Plowboys. The White Mule is at 1530 D Main St. $5; (803) 661-8199

8 tonight: The Mason Jars at Utopia. The Mason Jars, an Augusta band that made the finals of The White Mule's acoustic challenge, plays folkish pop with lyrics that ride on the guitar strings like mud on tires. Utopia is 406 Howard St. Free; (803) 733-2222

9 tonight: Jingle Bell Bash at Club 1800. WXBT-FM The Beat 100.1 is co-hosting the bash that will feature Juvenile, Jagged Edge, Charlie Boy and Marcus Houston. Juvenile, a former member of Cash Money, recently released his latest album, "Cocky & Confident." His flows, once revered, have fallen into redundancy. Have you noticed that Juve's "We Be Getting Money" sounds similar to Plies' "Plenty Money" and Rocko's "Umma Do Me"? Money looks the same, but money talk doesn't have to sound the same. Club 1800 is at 1800 Blanding St. $10 to $25; (803) (803) 765-0911

8 p.m. Saturday: Unknown Hinson at The White Mule. Unknown Hinson, the self-proclaimed King of Country Western Troubadours, returns to Columbia. The last time he was here, he headlined the Rock the River benefit in July that featured musical chairs and roller derby girls. Can he top that performance? $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

10 p.m. Saturday: Jucifer at Art Bar. I've never quite understood the appeal of Jucifer's live show. The fuzzy metal always seems to be decaying along with the walls around the venue, and the last resistance - your eardrums - will eventually succumb as well. OK, I get it now. With ...For Science, a three-piece instrumental band that is meticulous in its presentation. The dynamic of this band is the way it gets you to sink into its metal-esque sludge. Art Bar is at 1211 Park St. $5; (803) 929-0198

3 and 8 p.m. Sunday: B.J. Thomas at Newberry Opera House. It's been raining a lot lately, and B.J. Thomas' song "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" keeps popping into my head. In the late 1960s and during the 1970s, Thomas dropped a lot of hits on the charts, including "I Just Can't Help Believin'," "Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" and "Hooked on a Feeling." But back to the rain. It has put a damper on so many recent days that I've frequently felt a little like Thomas' cover of Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." The opera house is at 1201 McKibben St., Newberry. $37.50 for the early show, $32.50 for the evening show; (803) 276-6264

3 and 8 p.m. Monday: A Viennese Christmas at Newberry Opera House. The Sigmund Romberg Orchestra will perform tunes from "The Nutcracker" and other holiday songs. It's only the second week of December, and you shouldn't be sick of Christmas music yet. $20 for the 3 p.m. show and $25 for 8 p.m.

6 p.m. Tuesday: Norma Jean at New Brookland Tavern. Norma Jean plays skull-rattling and vein-popping hardcore rock that has melodic tendencies. With HORSE the Band (not to be confused with Band of Horses, please), The Chariot and Arsonists Get All the Girls. I wonder if anyone in the latter has read Brock Clarke's "An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England," because the main character, an arsonist, wasn't a girl magnet. New Brookland Tavern is at 122 State St., West Columbia. $13 in advance and $16 at the door; (803) 791-4413

This story was originally published December 11, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Otis Taylor's picks of the week."