Spreading the Christmas cheer

Wow!

It looks like we caused quite a stir in the local music scene here at OFF last month.

Actually, it wasn't quite as big a stir as we thought. Drivin' Rain read our article about Doom in the A.M., and they were a little annoyed, but that's about it. Then I went and wrote a column in the newspaper about a Doom show, talking about Rain guitarist Tommy DeWolf wanting to start a fight with Jon Thrower. Stupid move.

Needless to say, we've patched things up with Drivin' Rain. I apologized for the column at the show they played with Skid Row at the Hushpuppy, and all is well. We don't like conflict too much here in OFF land. Notice I say "too much." Some conflict is always cool (wink, wink).

Now that things are back to normal, it's time to move on to another month, December, one of my personal favorites.

Music editor James Samons gives you a little breakdown of some great Christmas gifts for the music lover in your life. Nicole Stanfield explores the tradition of New Year's resolutions and gives you some ideas for resolutions you can actually keep. Meanwhile Richard Cason talked to the crazies that were camped out at Best Buy last month just trying to get their hands on a PlayStation 3. When you hear about the holiday cash they earned from selling the systems on eBay, they don't seem so crazy.

This December in Cape is defined by two words -- Rick Springfield. Yes, the man who wishes he had Jessie's Girl is coming Dec. 8 to play his "Concert for Sahara" at the Show Me Center. I've never seen Rick live, but I hear he's quite the performer. Regardless, this concert is for a great cause -- helping a local girl in her fight against some nasty brain stem cancer -- so I encourage you to forget what you know about Rick and check it out. Or go for the cheese factor. That's completely up to you, but I can guarantee that concert will be emotional.

Too cool for Rick? Indie more your thing? Don't fear. This month is also the time of year when that annual tradition, the Christmas Hoot, returns to Cape's downtown. Bob Camp started the Hoot somewhere back in the years lost in the fog of time, but it's still going today, with some good local bands. And proceeds go to charity.

Enjoy the egg nog. Here's OFF.