Guess what? The Alternate Reality Altamont show on Oct. 23 at Petaluma's Mystic Theatre has been canceled. Who could have seen that coming?

The show was supposed to have included Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service and former Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten. An odd lineup because the original iconic Altamont (the final free concert on the Rolling Stones' 1969 tour, originally scheduled at Sears Point, now Infineon, that was moved two days before the event to Alameda) didn't include the Starship (it was the Airplane) or Quicksilver, and the Dead didn't play (they were scheduled, but - because of the deteriorating security situation - they left). If only the original Altamont promoters had also pulled the plug, but then hindsight is 20/20. We also wouldn't have had the film "Gimme Shelter" or the classic Rolling Stone magazine story about the event written by Tom Burks (now dean of journalism at San Francisco State University).

For consolation, the old-timers might want to check out the always late-arriving rapper Andre Nickatina instead at 19 Broadway on Oct. 23 ($20, $25 at the door, 9:30 p.m.). I suspect that the 21-and-older sign at the door might just cut down on Nickatina's crowd. Perhaps the rambunctious squeezeboxes of Those Darn Accordions at 142 Throckmorton might be more to their liking ($20 to $30, 8 p.m.).

Further north, classic ska pioneers the English Beat appear at the Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa. Not to be confused with the

Paul Collins Beat, or the current New Beat (in England, featuring former members of the English Beat) this is the English Beat fronted by guitarist/singer Dave Wakeling (founding member of General Public and the Beat, both English and not) perhaps the band's most visible and talented member. The Uptones open the 8:30 p.m. show and for $20 ($25 at the door) you can be sure to hear such EB hits as "Save it for Later," "Mirror in the Bathroom," "Twist and Crawl" as well as General Public's "Tenderness."

The Wild Fox restaurant in Novato has been making some noise in the local music scene lately. On Oct. 23, it offers up the Crymuscles at 8 p.m. (free). See what the noise is all about.

Speaking of noise - in carefully calibrated measures - the Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol presents Sonoma County locals Simoom on Oct. 24. Fresh from recording sessions at Cotati's Prairie Sun studios, the band is primed to expose a new generation to extreme metal. Perhaps in the words of Spinal Tap's Nigel Tufnel, they might even "go to 11"; $10 at 8:15 p.m. and you can see for yourself.

Meanwhile, 19 Broadway presents a flashback to the 1990s with World Entertainment War, Pump Mother and Plethora. Wear your Faultline, Sweetwater or New George's T-shirt and live it up ($18, $20 at the door, 9 p.m.). I fondly remember Pump Mother's Medulla release, "Everyone Knows ," which was produced by Monroe Grisman (now in American Drag) and Mark Senesac, who also produced World Entertainment War. Peri's Silver Dollar counters with the Holdouts (featuring members of the 1990s band Bent Again) for $5 at 9:30 p.m.

Last but never least, Nicasio's Rancho Nicasio ropes in the free "Americana" of the Jerry Hannan Band on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. Now I've heard Hannan play for years and I'm not sure Americana does him justice. I might say Irish-inflected Americana but that's just my opinion. The free cover makes it easy for you to form your own.

For band listings, musical news, music-related gossip or related sightings, contact Doctor.rock@live.com.