GOOD NEWS: We still think "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" might be one of the best album titles of the aughts. Modest Mouse, the indie outfit behind the mega seller, is mad about the quirk, the old-timey banjo, the easy-to-get-stuck-in-the-noggin refrain. They're at Hollywood Palladium on Mardi Gras night; not bad news at all. Tuesday, February 24, 8PM. 6215 W. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood. 323-962-7600
BILL MAHER: He had a documentary last year in "Religulous," he presented at the Oscars, his HBO show "Real Time" is back, and now the topically minded comedian is appearing on stage in Pasadena. Think he'll dish on the Academy Awards? The man typically doesn't hold a thing back, so we'll guess (and hope) yes. Tuesday, February 24. The Ice House, 24 N. Mentor Avenue, Pasadena. 626-577-1894.
ALSO: Kinky gets techno at the Music Box at the Fonda, Cartoon Dump sends up the kid shows at the Steve Allen, and "Repo Man" screens for free at Caltech. Such the Harry Dean Stanton fans, we are...
