New Year's Eve guide

In a few short weeks, this year's final hours will ring out with a slew of exciting shows around the Chicago area. Once again, the challenge of living near a major metropolitain area is not finding something to do, but deciding which thing to do. Here is a roundup of some of the more eye-catching places to be to close out 2013. Choose wisely.

The Lawrence Arms at Concord Music Hall

First off, in the interest of full disclosure, this is the show I will attend this December 31. The Lawrence Arms, local punk heroes, are set to release their first full-length album since 2006's "Oh, Calcutta." They signed to Epitaph for the release, which is their first studio release of any kind since the "Buttsweat and Tears" EP in 2009. Check out the first single from the new album above. Concord Music Hall opened a few months ago as a sort of gap-filler for the at least temporarily defunct Congress Theatre. Masked Intruder, Downtown Struts and Direct Hit! round out the lineup for a solid night of pop punk.

Death at Reggies Rock Club

If you have not seen the documentary "A Band Called Death" yet, stop what you are doing right now, find it and watch it. Death played punk in the early to mid 1970s that was way ahead of its time. The music was recorded and forgotten just as quickly. A few years ago someone found their 45 in a record store and took the time to track down the remaining members of the band. The story of the eventual release of their album and reformation is only eclipsed by the music itself. Above, watch Death perform earlier this year at Afrofest 2013 in Brooklyn. Le Tour and El Mejor open the show.

White Mystery at Beat Kitchen

Chicago's own brother/sister grunge/punk duo take it to the Beat Kitchen to close out 2013. They always bring the noise and the hair, as you can see from their performance on Chica-Go-Go:

Mucca Pazza at Double Door

Mucca Pazza, a local 30-or-so-piece marching band, are a must see on any night. Here they are on everyone's favorite holiday, Bring Your Marching Band to Work Day!