The Violent Femmes for New Year's Eve?

Only if you're in Orange County, California, which will be the center of the 80s universe for tonight's New Year's Eve celebration. Here's a quick rundown of the acts playing at the OC Fair & Expo Center for OrangeDrop 2007:

• Blondie
• Thomas Dolby
• Violent Femmes
• Poison
• Berlin
• The English Beat
• The Knack
• The Tubes
• Tommy Tutone
• The Romantics

Seems pretty much like a no-brainer if you're anywhere near L.A. for the holidays. In fact, had I known about it earlier, I'd be hitching my way across country right now instead of just blogging about it. I'd be especially interested in hearing the Violent Femmes live. Anyone else out there ever catch their live show? Just curious how it is.

New Year's Eve here in Tampa Bay is likely to be a more subdued affair. Some barbecued sausages, a sip or two of some fine bourbon and a lot of 80s karaoke. I just got word that a high school buddy has acquired two new CDs of karaoke for us to butcher tonight. One is entirely ELO and Styx. The other -- shudder -- is all Journey. I love Journey like no man should, but the thought of trying to sing Steve Perry style has my throat hurting already.