It feels as if this week has been thick with show recommendations, which it has been. Berkeley-bound and rejuvenated with new sets are both San Francisco’s Birds & Batteries and Winter’s Fall — they’re playing a free show at the Starry Plough on Friday with Forest Floor and The Waste Band (9pm).

Winter’s Fall will be playing a stripped down, fresh set sampling their upcoming release which was recorded at Sharkbite (Ted Leo, The Aimless Never Miss, Totimoshi). We did a podcast with the band back in 2008 still available to stream. In addition, we like what’s available to hear online of The Waste Band, an Oakland female duo singing a lighthearted variety, including cowboy numbers with the occasional banjo.