We're at SXSW, so this week's column is a day late and a dollar short. It's a bird, it's a band! OK, since we're late for a date with some breakfast tacos in Austin, we will cut and paste a description of Guillemots from Allmusic.com: "The multinational Guillemots, comprised of English singer and classically trained pianist Fyfe Dangerfield, Brazilian guitarist MC Lord Magrao, Scottish percussionist Rican Caol, and Canadian double bassist Aristazabal Hawkes, use their......

Every Asian-American music listener has that list of Asian-American stars they whip out at a moment's notice: Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park, the half-Japanese violinist (of course he's a violinist) from Yellowcard, Karen O, Jay-Z, and Amerie .... but how nice to have the option to find others. The Asian American Film Festival's Directions In Sound show tomorrow night features four local Asian-American indie rock bands to get to know: From Monuments to Masses (post-punk), Whysall Lane (intricately crafted), Love Like Fire (dreamy Britpop), and solo singer Mike Park (no description, but probably singer-songwritery, you know?). The show starts at 9 (doors at 8) at Cafe Du Nord tomorrow night. Tickets $10 -- but act fast, the show's selling out. ...

...while we wait for the inauguration protests to start! Last week's winner, the Weekly. Matt Smith: did you know it's illegal for dogs to have sex in public in the City? Cover article: using California state procedural laws to stymie the rights of people molested by priests. Meredith Brody lunches like a lady at the Neiman-Marcus Rotunda. A pullout guide to your New Year's Resolutions: the usual list: weight loss, playing an instrument, things to do in the city (hey, have you taken one of these nifty cable cars?) and a list of phone numbers for kicking substances. OK Then's list of the next new "hyooj" bands for 2005. Also, OK Then got ticketed on a MUNI even though he had a transfer. Man, what gives with the MUNI cops lately? You should be exempt if you voted for Newsom's tax increases. Not our fault they didn't pass! Savage Love: three-ways, childhood traumas reemerging as sexual fantasies, humping someone's leg, and the word "santorum" wins a linguistic prize for 2004. The EBX: The dream cartoonist illustrates a dream featuring Donnie Wahlberg as an acting teacher. East Bay versus South Bay in the stem cell wars. Trash in the San Leandro watershed. Cover article: folk singer Dave Dondero at the Golden Gate Fields racetrack. An Alameda winery is moving to Brentwood. A profile of Mike Park's peace-promoting label Asian Man. The Guardian and the Weekly of the Week after the jump. ...