So, in retrospect, last week's Xmas Wishlist was kinda crummy. Or lazy might be a more appropriate word. But I'm better prepared this week. What say we give this another shot? If you have friends or family like me (God help you if you do) here's some ideas of what to wrap up and slap a bow on for them this holiday season.

5. The Steel City Coffee House VIP card
This is a must-give to anyone who is a regular frequenter of Phoenixville's sweetest spot for music and caffeine. And rare, so hurry! As of yesterday, there was only 5 still available. This gets you reserved seating, advanced ticket prices on all shows, 10% off all food and drink, $25 extra on the card, AND 2 free tickets good for any show. Plus no BYO fees for VIP members and guests (when tickets purchased using the VIP Card. VIP CARD is initiated with a one time purchase of $500.00 and are reloadable in any amount. More information on the VIP card at http://steelcitycoffee.stores.yahoo.net/vipgica5.html.

4. Steel City Coffee House Gift Card
And for all those cheap skates out there not willing to shell out the $500 for that golden ticket, you could just give out a borin' ol' Steel City gift card. They are good for show tickets and can be bought at www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com and will be delivered with free shipping. Just don't tell the person you're giving this to about the VIP card. They will hate you.

3. Guitar Hero World Tour.
"A guy can dream right?" That's why they made Guitar Hero--so everyone can rock out. This is where the party is at.

2. www.urbanoutfitters.com
Go there and go crazy. I promise, you'll find something, because if it's cool, they make it.

1. DO NOT GIVE iTUNES GIFT CARDS!
I mean it! Sure, they are good for office friends or stocking stuffers, but if you're REALLY shopping for a music head, you get yourself in a record store, buster. A REAL record store--I'm not talking FYE here. Or you can browse online too. But the gift of vinyl is the way to go. The artwork is large and beautiful and a record has more thought and care wrapped up in it. It makes a much sweeter gift than a plastic card with numbers on it.

Screw Santa, Richmond VA's finest absurdists are coming to town.

The Hot Seats (formerly Special Ed & The Shortbus) recently returned from a month in Scotland and England, bringing their snazzy melding of bluegrass/old time/rag time/and bizarre Vaudevillian antics to the old world.

Now that they're back, they're planning to quest out on a new US tour, which will include a stop in Phoenixville Dec. 27 at the good ol' Steel City Coffeehouse.

Check the comments for further details.

I didn't get around to a Top 5 Tuesday yesterday. So I owe you loyal readers BIG, and I got something pretty sleek in the works that will make Top 5 Tuesdays look like the Mickey Mouse Club. It involves giving you music. So stay tuned!

In the meantime, go to Steel City Coffeehouse tonight to catch the most talented guitarist in the area, Mr. Trevor Gordon Hall. I mean it! He squeezes all kinds of noises and chords out of his trusty acoustic guitar that you won't believe your eyes. Or ears! He says more instrumentally with the wizardry of his guitar than most singing acts do with their tongues. And that says a lot!

Also, we stand corrected. Led Zeppelin WILL NOT be playing Bonaroo next summer, or so says the Bonaroo officials. But I think it's because the (maybe reuniting, maybe not) Zepp are planning on already rocking the festival that's slated to take place in VINELAND, NJ next summer. (Starting unfounded rumors sometimes creates truth, you know. So join me in this wish.)

You know where all the kids are going these days? Phoenixville. And for good reason. They really have all of these cool little spots that have been popping up in the past few years. It's not a bad little stretch of town, if you ask me.

Coffee houses, books stores, pubs, live music, lots of happy folks. It doesn't get much better than that. (Although any one else catch that Philly's music scene was listed as the "HOT" scene in their recent "Hot Issue?" Bout time they got some props there on South St!)

Anyway, last night, I took in some tunes at Steel City Coffee House and had a smug little time there. It was open mic night, and while it certainly presented some cringing acts, a handful of performers made sitting painfully through the inevitable Dashboard Confessional wannabes well worth it. In fact the guy who hosted was THE MAN.

I didn't even catch the bro's name, but when he started his first set, he goes, "You probably never heard of me, but quite frankly, that doesn't bother me any." And then the dude just tore UP his electric guitar, spitting out all kinds of dirty little licks on his shiny 6 string. Seriously, guy had me banging my hands and feet all over the place. And it was just him, channeling pure unbridled emotion through the strings. No backing. And he covered The Allman Brothers, man. He was like a senior intellectual white blues guitarist fella. And he knew how to pull the trigger on that dang guitar.

Later, some kids covered Eminem's "Lose Yourself" with their acoustics, but they couldn't stop giggling about it and made it more into a joke than a cool cover. Which is a shame because, that song can actually be made into a REALLY awesome cover when taken seriously, especially in a coffee shop. I'm not being sarcastic either. But beforehand, they covered The Beatles "Don't Let Me Down" pretty awesomely.

Then another elder dude stepped up and showed the pupils who the real teachers are. Didn't catch his name either, but he reminded me of Eric Clapton, note for note. From his voice to his style to his lyrics, he was a regular Clapton, and it was awesome. Before launching into his beautifully structured second song, he said "To me, songs are like children. They're a gift." and then dedicated it to all the songwriters out there who try their darndest to sniff out their muse wherever it may be. And while I'm not a songwriter, I was totally sucked into those words he said. It still harped with me and my personal writing and poetry, or just as a listener trying to find a great song that speaks to you louder than the average song.

Or as a little duder from Douglassville trying to find a cool place to hang out on Thursday nights around here. And I'd say I found it.

And the fact that Molly Maguire's is waiting right across the street with great food and a nice selection of beer for the post show hang out doesn't hurt either.