New Year's rocking eve around the region

In the words of the sainted Radiators, who come from New Orleans and know a thing or two about such things: Party till the money runs out. Or you could say party till the holidays are over. In either context, it's New Year's weekend, and below are selected choices from your live music options.

TONIGHT

Who knew there were two American bands called Botfly? What is a botfly? (A: Why, it's a hairy fly that lives as a parasite inside the bodies of mammals!) The Botfly from Gales Ferry, which features vocalist Liz Woods and a Connecticutian, guitar-happy take on Republica-style rock, headlines at the El 'n' Gee Club in New London. Your Suburban Nightmare and others also perform.

About a year ago, country-flavored locals Quiet Life headed to California and then on to Oregon state In Search Of Big Rock. They return with a show at the Oasis Pub. Opening is M.T. Bearington.

In an old-school, bring-in-the-new-year-correctly performance, the Duke Robillard Band plays the Knickerbocker Café in Westerly. The whole state of Rhode Island should be required to attend this. Hell, make the Nutmeg State attend, too. This is Tha Dook and it's New Year's Eve!

FRIDAY

The Dan Hartman Quartet plays the Jazz Underground in New London. This is not the Hartman who was in the Edgar Winter Group and is now dead. This, rather, is the very fine North Stonington trumpeter who's been on the scene for years. Whether with his Quartet or Quintet, Hartman throws down superb and inventive versions of works by Miles, Mingus, Monk, Coltrane and on.

SATURDAY

The Rivergods are the perfect band to symbolically bid adieu to the season with their annual holiday concert, held at the Bean & Leaf in New London. After all, of any band in the area, this fine neo-Americana outfit seems the most familial and cozy - perfect to kick into the fresh year on a tide of warmth and melody.

- Rick Koster

Botfly and more, 8 tonight, El 'n' Gee Club, 86 Golden St., New London; all ages; $10; (860) 271-9159.

Quiet Life, 9 tonight, Oasis Pub, 16 Bank St., New London; $5; (860) 447-3929.

Duke Robillard Band, 9:30 tonight, Knickerbocker Café, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly; $50; (401) 596-4225.

Dan Hartman Quartet, 8 p.m. Friday, Jazz Underground, 33 Golden St., New London; $8; (860) 447-1125.

The Rivergods, 7 p.m. Saturday, Bean & Leaf Café, 13 Washington St., New London; free, donations accepted; (860) 701-0000.