MONDAY
>> We like When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth based on their name alone. The Austinites play noisy rock, and will be at the Velvet Lounge with Rings, Acheronian, and Life Partners. Doors 9 p.m., $7.

>> Sub Pop's The Constantines visit the Rock and Roll Hotel, bringing their well-honed, interesting angular rock. Openers are Oakley Hall and Ecstasy the Flower. Doors at 8 p.m., $14.

>> Colin Hay comes from a land down under, where women glow and men chunder. The Men At Work singer is a solo artist now, and is at the Birchmere tonight. 7:30 p.m., $20.

TUESDAY
>> Lou Reed. The Velvet Underground singer-songwriter needs no introduction, and his solo career wasn't too shabby either ("Walk on the Wide Side"). The 9:30 Club is sold out for his show, but maybe you can ask Craig.

>> If "Japanese action comic punk" sounds like something you'd like to see, hit the Black Cat backstage for Peelander-Z, with Pessimist Parade and Nihilitia. 9 p.m, $8.

WEDNESDAY
>> It's indie buzz band night at the 9:30 Club, with Tapes N Tapes and White Denim. See what the fuss is about. $15.

>> Hardworking locals Bellflur are at the Black Cat's backstage tonight, along with Hundred Hundred and Seamonster. 9 p.m., $8.

>> The Congressional Blues Festival is today at the Kennedy Center. Free tickets are gone, but you may be able to get some online (we had trouble, though). Considering you get lots of blues plus food and beer, it sounds like a great stop. 6 p.m.

THURSDAY
>> There might be other shows you could go to tonight, but the only show you absolutely must go to is DCist's Unbuckled 7, featuring Muhsinah (***), Motel and DJ v:shal kanwar, all for only $8 at DC9. Doors are at 9 p.m., and stay tuned for special previews of the bands this week.

FRIDAY
>> Dan Bejar's Destroyer plays grandiose and off-kilter pop. We really enjoyed Your Blues, his previous album, and Trouble in Dreams, his latest, has been getting good reviews. He's at the Black Cat tonight with Andre Ethier — a singer, not the L.A. Dodgers player. 9 p.m., $12.

>> Alt-country heroes Son Volt make their Americana way to the 9:30 Club tonight, along with Grammy-nominated folkster Bobby Bare, Jr. We wouldn't be surprised if it sold out. $25

>> Chicha Libre is a Brooklyn group led by a French born record collector/store/club owner who went to Peru and put together last year's critic fave, "Roots of Chicha", a psychedelic-surf-cumbia compilation. Now he's got his own group that does covers and originals chicha-style, and they'll be at the Velvet Lounge. They're opening for Black and Tan Fantasy Band, which features members of Thievery Corporation, Fugazi, etc. Doors 9 p.m., $10.

SATURDAY
>> Stadium emo rock is back, with Jimmy Eat World and newcomers Paramore playing at American University's Bender Arena. Expect a lot of kids with tight band t-shirts and asymmetrical haircuts. Doors 6 p.m., $35.

>> It's female-fronted CD release heaven at the Rock and Roll Hotel, with local shoegazers Five Four, New York's Hello Tokyo (whose song "Radio" is the theme of an Animal Planet show, of all things), and D.C.'s The Frustrations all releasing discs. Support local music and see some good stuff. Doors 8:30 p.m., $10.

>> The B-52s are back, but they've sold out the 9:30 Club. Good luck on Craigslist.

SUNDAY
>> Expect a lot of black-shirted folks outside the 9:30 Club tonight, as Norwegian black metal gods Dimmu Borgir are in town. Not surprisingly, they play loud and fast. Openers include non-twee bands Behemoth and Keep of Kalessin. $22.

>> Elbow is one of those bands with critical praise and a devoted fanbase, but not much big time success. They bring their unusual rock to the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue tonight — should be a good venue for a sit down, wash-over-you show. 8:30 p.m., $20.

>> Industrial group Meat Beat Manifesto have been around since the late 80s, and are still going strong. Their newest album, Autoimmune, is out, and they're on tour again, coming to the Rock and Roll Hotel on Sunday. Opening is dub DJ Raz Mesinai’s Badawi. Doors 8 p.m., $16/18

Steve Kiviat contributed to this week's agenda.
Photos from Peelander-Z's Myspace and Dimmu Borgir's Myspace.