Saturday night (1/3) at the Comet Sam Squared will open for two other beloved local bands, the first a somewhat stream-lined reunion of Suffering & the Hideous Thieves (pared down to four players, including mordantly electric frontman Jeff Suffering), and the wonderful boys in Slender Means. That's a sweet and spare three band line up.

This is an extra special show, as it is the first in several John Spalding Benefit Concerts throughout January, is only $8 at the door, and will be an intimate way for friends in the music scene to honor those who loved John so much while helping out his widow.

It's going to be great to see these bands play out too, especially for me Suffering & the Hideous Thieves hitting the stage again after so many years. Their couple of shows I saw, opening for Jarboe at El Corazon, or with Degenerate Art Ensemble at the Vera, was like mad hungry young Bad Seeds gone street preacher level dark and frenzied. Don't miss the comeback, for John, and for the pleasure of your own senses.