On Budget: Las Vegas for Less

Free show

Franz Nicolay played keyboards in the Hold Steady for five years. He's also collaborated with the Drive-By Truckers, Against Me!, the Dresden Dolls and many others. Basically, the guy rules. Buy him a drink for having his hand in so many killer tunes at 10 p.m. today at the Double Down Saloon, 4640 Paradise Road. Show is free; call 791-5775.

Cosmo concerts

The dudes in fiery soul throwback Vintage Trouble have been featured in Supercuts commercials of late. Know what's an even better value than a discount haircut for $10? Seeing this bunch for free. Catch Vintage Trouble at 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at Book & Stage at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. South. No cover; call 698-7000.

Go country

Coed Vegas country rock troupe South of Graceland connect the dots between Charlie Daniels and Jason Aldean. How do they do it? By playing a bunch of tunes that go well with a cold beer or six. See them at 8 p.m. today and Saturday at Roxy's at Sam's Town, 5111 Boulder Highway. No cover; call 456-7777.

Zombie sounds

It's Friday the 13th, so celebrate "Zombie Apocalypse" with zombie body painting and goth/darkwave/industrial sounds from DJs Morpheus Blak and Thomas Frangella at 10 p.m. today at Boomers, 3200 Sirius Ave. No cover; call 368-1863.

Beer and karaoke

We need plenty of cheap, stomach-roiling brew to hear you sing. So, thankfully, there's $1 Pabst Blue Ribbons during karaoke night at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Bunkhouse, 124 S. 11th St. No cover; call 384-4536.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.