If there's one night you really have to dig down and pony up for the rock it's New Years Eve. Don't ask us why. So today we will put the ticket prices next to each event so you don't get sticker shock when you make your last minute plans. Although the best value appears to be down in the OC, factor in 1) you have to go behind the orange curtain 2) you better get a hotel room 3) you will meet some people who will be there solely to see the lead singer of Dishwalla "perform".

Blondie, Violent Femmes, Soul Asylum, Everclear, Brett Michaels, Buckcherry, Berlin, The English Beat, Thomas Dolby, The Knack, The Tubes, Tommy Tutone, The Romantics @ OC Fair and Expo Center ($85)

Flaming Lips, Gnarls Barkley, Cat Power @ Galen Center ($55)
The Killers @ Paramount Studios ($125)
Giant Maximus - Armin Van Buuren, John Digweed, Sasha @ Downtown LA ($85)
Lyle Lovett @ Disney Concert Hall (two shows 7:30p, 10:30p $53 - $150)
Erykah Badu @ House of Blues ($125)
The Sounds @ Roosevelt Hotel ($100)
REO Speedwagon @ Canyon Club ($68 plus you have to buy dinner)
DJ Quik @ Vault 350 ($50)
Autolux, Dead Meadow @ Little Radio ($50 and include free booze all night)
Mickey Avalon @ Roxy ($50)
Metal Skool @ Key Club ($40)
Wild Child @ Whisky ($20)
Chavez @ Spaceland ($20)
Pop Levi @ Echo ($5)

photo by Andy Carvin