It's tempting to call Austin, Texas country-rocker Alejandro Escovedo the Forrest Gump of indie rock, but he deserves to be associated with a much better movie. In 1978, his first band, San Francisco punkers The Nuns, opened the last-ever Sex Pistols show prior to the Pistols' brief mid-90s reunion. He was living in the Chelsea Hotel in New York City when the Pistol's' Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen checked in; Spungen would......

When Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Ian Hunter, Son Volt, and Calexico make a record to save your life, you’ve achieved icon status in the music world. Yet despite his performing in bands since the '70s and solo since the early '90s, Texas-native Alejandro Escovedo is hardly a household name for those who appreciate roots music. And he rarely sells out East Coast shows. But things are changing. Over the course of the past several months,......

FRIDAY: >> Something tells us heading out to see a concert put on by a man who, due to a struggle with Hepatitis C, thought he might never be able to go on tour again will be an awfully positive, life-affirming experiece. And who couldn't use a little of that? The Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra (he's pictured at right) is at 9:30 Club, with Lenny Kaye & Jon Dee Graham. $25, 8 p.m. >> Film Festivals!......

A day late, but no tickets short. The 9:30 Club finally released its grip on a slew of sought after tickets yesterday (no, not Death Cab). Spit shine your credit card and get yours before they’re gone. >> Run – don’t walk – for indie rock. The Decemberists’ Picaresque has been one of the most talked about albums of 2005, and they’re bringing their tales of pirate ships and barrow boys to the 9:30......

If we weren't all going to die from this apparently massive, apocalyptic snowstorm that is going to eat our pets and start the second Ice Age, these are the shows we'd be going to see. Where are your musical destinations this week? MONDAY: >> The Finn Brothers, Kiwi nationals of Split Enz and Crowded House fame, take the stage with their classic pop and harmonies at the Birchmere. 7:30 p.m., $29.50. >> If the snow......