D.A.R.Y.L.

If karma exists, then Burlington ex-pat Daryl Rabidoux should pick up some lottery tickets. The poor guy is about as overdue for a run of good luck as anybody outside of Wall Street — or Main Street, I guess. Or Cubs fans. Poor, hapless Cubs fans.

If you’re just joining us, earlier this summer, the former Cancer Conspiracy founder and current Strangeways Recording maven was critically injured in a car accident in his adopted hometown of Providence, RI. He spent more than a week in the ICU, but eventually was released and began rehabbing. He was even well enough to attend a benefit show in his honor at Club Metronome in July that featured a slew of Burlington music stars past and present. But then Dame Fortuna once more spun her wheel. And for Rabidoux, it landed on “Lose a Turn.” I’d like to buy a vowel, please, Pat.

Rabidoux was again hospitalized, and this time underwent open-heart surgery following complications from his various accident-related maladies. The word is that he’s recovering well. But the surgery will add even more to his already overwhelming hospital tab.

So this Friday, the Burlington heavy-music community is coming together to aid a fallen friend. This time at 242 Main, the all-ages hardcore/punk club that Rabidoux managed for several years before departing for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations — did you know that’s RI’s “official” name? No kidding.

Leading off is Burlington’s metal-core outfit Fall of the Machines, who, according to their MySpace page, “put the fun back in funeral.” Nice. They also rawk.

Next up are Burlington rockers Maneuvers, fresh off the release of a new vinyl 7-inch. No word on their funereal feelings.

Unrestrained follows. This show will serve as a tune-up for the hardcore-punk quartet before they sail across the pond for a European tour in December. While anyone who’s seen National Lampoon’s European Vacation knows that’s pretty cool in and of itself, the band is reportedly the first Vermont hardcore act to tour Europe from top to bottom. Closing out the evening are Black Market Activities signees Romans.

Once again, best wishes to Rabidoux — and Wall Street and Cubs fans — for a speedy recovery.

D.R.E.A.D.

Since we’re on the subject, why not pass along an update on our old pal Mikey Van Gulden? You may remember that effervescent Higher Ground bouncer was seriously injured this summer when an uninsured taxi driver struck him while Van Gulden was riding his bicycle home from work. He’s been recovering slowly but surely. And though he’s made significant strides — removal of the pins in his right arm and the wire in his jaw — he still has a long way to go. For example, he’ll undergo a bone graft in November to help his right arm, which is not healing properly.

As a result, Van Gulden will likely continue to be out of work for the next four to five months. And with more hospital bills on the horizon, he could still use some help, financially.Click here for more updates and to donate. Not to sound like a broken record, but again, get well soon, Mikey.

FUNNY HAHA

I don’t know about you, but after those two column bits I could use a laugh. Pardon me while I go watch some Tina Fey-as-Sarah Palin footage from SNL . . . oh, man, that’s priceless! Fey-Poehler 2012! OK, back to the task at hand.

Wednesday, October 22, stand-up comedy makes a return to Montpelier’s Black Door Bar and Bistro with a quartet of local, funny folks.

First up is the evening’s host, Kathleen Kanz. Kanz regularly performs around the Northeast and has jokes in two comedy books: She’s So Funny and Squeaky Clean Comedy.

Lindsay Going follows. She’s a recent graduate of Josie Leavitt’s standup comedy class at the FlynnSpace. Having written an article on the program earlier this year [“What’s So Funny,” April 4], I can vouch for her training. At the risk of referencing two Chevy Chase movies in the same column, funny farm indeed.

The third comedian is a personal favorite, Johnson State’s Roger Miller. Miller won last year’s Higher Ground Comedy Battle, for which I was a guest judge. Dude is hilarious, I promise you.

Closing out the evening is Vermont comedy diva and occasional Vermont Public Radio contributor Martha Tormey. She’s long been a fan favorite at the Black Door. And I can tell you from listening to some of her off-the-record comments for the aforementioned stand-up article, she’s the real deal.

BITE TORRENT

With this Tuesday’s performance by Phish tribute act The Strange Design — did you hear they’re getting the band back together? — tribute acts of all stripes are perhaps on the minds of local music fans. Or perhaps not. In either case, those with an affinity for the sounds of the ’60s British Invasion would do well to swing by Charlotte’s Old Lantern this Friday to check out Bill Yantz’s ‘60s tribute show with local songwriter Justin Levinson.

Speaking of British Invasions, psychedelic electro-funk freaks should swing by Club Metronome on Wednesday, October 22, for Oxford’s The Egg with Bay Area dance faves MO2. Thank you, Mixed Bag Productions.

Fans of politically incorrect punk-grass should make a point to catch Richmond, Virginia’s Special Ed and The Short Bus this week — Thursday at Burlington’s Skinny Pancake and Friday at Langdon Street Café in Montpelier. Why? Because, as the band puts it, they play “special music for special people.” Hoo boy.

I might have a new pseudo-local favorite band: Upper Jay, New York’s Monsterbuck. I caught them Saturday night at The Monkey House following excellent sets from garage-rawk duo The Breaking In and Farm — the latter band’s new album, The Cave, is ridiculous, by the way. But Monsterbuck was the highlight for me this night, and actually managed to divert my attention from the Sox-Rays playoff game on the TV. So that should tell you something right there. Three guys. Guitar, bass and drums. A bunch of great songs. Sometimes you forget how simple the formula really is.

The same night, I also caught Franklin County indie-pop outfit How to Stay Alive in the Woods, who closed out the night and definitely bear watching down the road.

And finally, last week I mistakenly referred to Asheville, N.C., hip-hop/funk outfit GFE as “Grand Funk Express.” As several readers were quick to point out — can’t slip anything by you guys — the acronym actually stands for “Granola Funk Express.” I think my version is still better. But hippie-dippy or not, that’s their name and they’re stickin’ to it. Do you do drugs, Danny? Every day, sir — three Chase references! I rule.

Apologies all around.