GRAHAM ROCKINGHAM’S BEST BETS

BANDICOOTS

Bandicoots is a four-piece Hamilton pop-rock band with a subtly subversive sound. Join Nicolai Kozel, Andrew Parkinson, Lorant Polya and Justin Ross Friday, Jan. 10, at This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., when they take over the stage with backing bands Pleasure Craft and Strathcona. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $10.

GINGER ST. JAMES

Binbrook’s alt-country queen, Ginger St. James, is travelling to Memphis later this month to participate in the 36th annual International Blues Challenge. Ginger and her guitar-slinging pal SnowHeel Slim (The Trainwreck Two) will hold a fundraiser for the trip Friday, Jan. 10 at Stonewalls, 339 York Blvd., with the Fog Blues Band. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show at 8. $15.

DOGMAHOUND

Dogmahound is a new name for three familiar faces on the Hamilton club scene — Matty Simpson (guitar/vocals), Justine Fischer (bass) and Matt Burns (drums). They play gritty roots rock with superb musicianship and songwriting craft, Friday, Jan. 10, at The Casbah (Queen at King West) with local jamband Monte Carlo and Heather Valley. Doors at 9 p.m. $15 at the door.

54-40

54-40 has proved itself as one the most consistently good altrock bands to come out of Canada’s west coast. The Vancouver foursome — best known for songs “I Go Blind” and “Ocean Pearl” — is still making great records and their concerts never fail. 54-40 performs Sunday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m., at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Tickets $59.50 (all in) at 905-681-6000.

CHASTITY

Chastity is the brainchild of Whitby’s Brandon Williams. The band has found a home on the Dine Alone label with “Home Made Satan” — an album that manages to bridge spooky space age balladry with monster-riff rock, dark and loud. Chastity performs Wednesday, Jan. 15, at The Casbah (Queen at King West). Doors open at 8 p.m. Show at 9. $12 in advance.