Events This Weekend: Franz Ferdinand, Katy Perry, The Demon Beat…

• Franz Ferdinand | Friday, January 30 | 7:30 pm | Free | Amoeba Music, Hollywood, CA – Map | The band will be promoting their long-awaited release of Tonight: Franz Ferdinand. With the purchase of their CD, not only might  you score a John Hancock, but you’ll be guaranteed a free poster (at least for as long as they last). For more info, call (323) 245-6400.
• The Pretenders | Friday, January 30 | 8:00 pm | Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY – Map | With the one and only Chrissie Hynde at the helm, they’ll rock the house, naturally. They will also be promoting their new album, Break Up the Concrete. For concert and box office info, call (212) 777-6800.
• Katy Perry | Saturday, January 31 | 8:00 pm | $96-$145 | The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA – Map | Love her or ha— er, mildly dislike her (“hate”‘s too strong for someone you’ll never know – come to think of it so is “love”), but she’s heating up the charts and rocking a fierce pair of heels in her WWII-era music video for “Thinking of You”. Whether or not that’s worth spending up to $145 per ticket for is for you to decide! Click here for information.

• Skanking in the Pit Fest 2009 | Sunday, February 1 | 7:00 pm | $11-$14 | The Knitting Factory, Hollywood, CA – Map | So that’s what “skanking” is: a blend of skacore and punk. No better way to be introduced to the genre than by the bands who have mastered it best as of yet – expect performances by a bevy of bands: Gamblers Mark, ONK, Bad Luck Bandits, Society’s Parasites, Viernes 13, Black Rose Phantoms, The Triggers, JBL, South Central Skankers, Cellphish, La Muerte, Isolated Victims, The Villains, and Hierba Mala. Click here for tickets.
• The Demon Beat | Sunday, February 1 | 10:00 pm | $8 | Arlene’s Grocery, New York, NY – Map | The homegrown and  truly-rock-n’-roll band from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, will be showcasing their unadulterated take on the genre with works from their self-titled EP. Come down earlier for bands/acts Jim Regan, Dead River Company, and Aramis. For more info, call (212) 995-1652.

Photo via katyperry.com