Let's take the guesswork out of show attendance with this highly scientific questionnaire. (Note: Scoring totals are a tool to measure quantitative appeal and not a ranking of qualitative worth.)

Go:

1. I am:

a. over 40

b. 30-39

c. 25-29

d. 21-24

e. under 21

2. My favorite T-shirt is:

a. faded tie-dye

b. black

c. a natty button-up

d. Outside Lands 2010

e. Humboldt Nation 3. I live in:

a. Arcata/Bayside

b. Eureka

c. McKinleyville/Trinidad/North

d. HSU dorms

e. Manila/Samoa/Fairhaven/South

4. The instrument I find the most amazing is the:

a. bass

b. guitar

c. piano

d. guitar

e. synthesizer

5. My preferred beverage is:

a. Steelhead Extra Pale Ale

b. It's Alive kombucha

c. Maker's, neat

d. Cabernet

e. Water

6. My income is:

a. cash-based

b. more than the county average

c. about average

d. less than the county average

e. starving student

a = 5 points, b = 4 points, c = 3 points,

d = 2 points, e = 1 point

Results tallied? Outstanding! Here you go:

27 or more

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood performs at Humboldt Brews on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Tickets are $25, show is 21-and-over and starts at 8 p.m. Originally from The Black Crowes, Robinson's side project blossomed into a full band that captures all the long legacy of California psychedelic blues rock. Dig this quote from the press release: "In an age when so many put their beliefs in trends, the volumes have all collapsed and rooms are filled with tiny rock and dampened lamps, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood rolls on to sharpen the blur at your brow and wind like smoke through your mind." Do you feel it, baby?

Humboldt Brews hosts a Phil and Friends Live Webcast broadcasting from New York's Capitol Theatre both Friday and Saturday evening. The lineup includes Phil Lesh, Anders Osborne, Stu Allen, Marco Benevento, Joe Russo and Joan Osborne, starts early — 5 p.m., folks! — and is 21-and-over, no cover.

15 or more

Experience the local rhythmic folk of Manila Groove Machine on Friday at the Mad River Brewery Tasting Room. Music starts at 6 p.m., no cover.

Up at the Van Duzer, it's the irreverent outlaw experimental jazz trio The Bad Plus, known for transforming pop and rock anthems by the likes of Nirvana and Radiohead into epic improvisational journeys. The band's latest CD focuses more on their original compositions, but whatever the origin of the tunes, the group thrills. This gig happens Tuesday night, will cost you $35 unless you're an HSU student, in which case it's only $5. Show starts at 8 p.m., all ages.

12 or more

Oh my, yes, Sallie Ford is back — thank you, Humboldt Brews. This time she brings along a new line-up celebrating her latest album, Slap Back, which boasts a surf, garage and classic rock feel. Sallie herself refers to it as "an ode to all babe rockers from Joan Jett, Blondie and Pat Benatar to PJ Harvey and Exene Cervenka." She's big time, but tickets are only $15. Do get them in advance! Show starts Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. and is 21-and-over.

6 or more

Hard-to-Google band Hi offers experimental post-Americana with bass, drums, electric ukulele, a bit of synthesizer, a blast of trumpet and lots of loops, plus female harmonies that "make your toes tap and your skin crawl." Song topics include death, love, smashing patriarchy, sex, drugs, etc. Explore them all at the Sanctuary on Saturday night. Show starts at 7 p.m., is all ages and a cover of $5 is requested — unless you're a "rich people," in which case, the hosts would kindly like you to drop a $20.

Etc.

Full show listings in the Journal's Music and More grid, the Eight Days a Week calendar and online. Bands and promoters, send your gig info, preferably with a high-res photo or two, to [email protected].