The fireworks, the countdown, the football scores, the confetti, Ryan Seacrest's freaky smile, the sloppy kiss at midnight, the cheap champagne in red beer cups ... the booze and the noise. In the South Sound, there are plenty of New Year's Eve shows for the music-lovers to consider (although they may not remember much about them on Sunday morning). Listed below are a few standout shows - check 'em out (and more in the Music Section) and have a great time:

Backstage Bar & Grill

6409 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
Rocker bar Backstage hosts Point Defiance, Atomic Outlaws, Mom's Rocket and Ranchero for New Year's Eve. The bar will offer free rides home to those living within 10 miles. We hope the bar has a lot of cars. 8 p.m., no cover

C.I. Shenanigans

3017 Ruston way, Tacoma
Do you like a little funk rock with your sea bass? The talented Hoagland Band with special guest Paul Davis will be laying down the groove next to the fireplace at the Tacoma waterfront-dining house. 9 p.m.

Eagle's Hall

805 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia
With the funky Brown Edition laying down the funk for POSSCA's New Year's Eve bash, you'd think the acronym stands for Parliament of South Sound Crazy Asses rather than Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts. 8 p.m., $15  

First Night Tacoma

Downtown Tacoma
How in the hell is everyone else going to compete with this listing of live performers: Dawn Mitchele, Kris Orlowski, Drew Grow & The Pastors Wives, Jason Heminger, Colin Reynolds, A Leaf, Shane Lance, Blackberry Bushes Stringband, Acoustic Laboratory, Northern Departure, Cat Fox, Peter Rothbart, Tree Nine, Northern Departure, Hot Club Sandwich, Uncle Bonsai, Pearl Django, Triori, Hurdy-Gurdies, Bucharest Drinking Team, The Tallboys, Aaron Spiro, VamoLa, Rumbeggae, Sean Williams, Morgan Black, Tracy Spring, Conspiracy Theory, Scott Katz, The Whole Bolivian Army, Halcion Halo, Not From Brooklyn, Roman Holiday. 6:30 p.m., $10 First Night Button

4th Ave Ale House

210 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia
Remember when your boyfriend pretended to be all sexy as he sang into his big yellow comb? Jeff Angell is that guy, only good looking, will a sexy as hell rock star voice and a soulful bluesy rock band that deserves all the confetti thrown. 9 p.m., no cover

The Harmon Brewery & Eatery

1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Trumpeter Rich Wetzel and his 500-person big band will blow the suds off The Harmon New Year's Eve. Joining the big band will be the ultra swanky, and often gyrating, Mitch Reems on vocals for jazz, Latin and rock numbers. 9 p.m.

Hell's Kitchen

928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Leave it to Hell's Kitchen to somehow make business-as-usual seem extra-special. Of course Czar, Absence of Grace, Deathbed Confessions, American Wrecking Company, Psycho Rehab, Beyond Theory will be rockin' the joint with no cover charge. Isn't New Year's Eve all about being with those you care about and getting phenomenally fucked-up? And can you really think of a better place (other than your house) to hang out with those folks and listen to some sizzling, amped-up metal? Didn't think so. 6 p.m., 21+, no cover

The Hub

203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma
Yes, your parents will beg to tag along to see Neil Diamond tribute band The Diamond Experience at The Hub. Don't let them. They don't need to see you dance to "I Am I Said." 10 p.m., no cover

Imperial Dragon

6805 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
Yes, the Imperial Dragon is the epitome of a Chinese dive restaurant. And the back lounge patrons are often loud and, well, drunk. But when '80s local rock heroes Strypes reunite for its annual New Year's Bash at the Dragon, no one gives a crap about the ripped upholstery. Signs, Eddie Gillan and Bobby Hoffman join the boys for a freakin' fun time. 7 p.m., $20

Jazzbones

2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
We doubt the normal leg humpers who cram Jazzbones during its DJ nights will be showing chest hairs for this awesome show. It's doesn't really matter who shows up. Perry Acker, Ben Union and Doxology are white-hot talented rock bands that belong on the 103.7 The Mountain and on your New Year's Eve To Do List. 8 p.m., $15-18

Krickets

14815 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Promoter $krilla has The Gonzo Family, Blue Nose Music and host Tak Patron laying down the hip-hop grooves in the back bar at Krickets on the edge of Spanaway. 10 p.m., $10

Louie G's Pizzeria

4802 Pacific Hwy. E., Fife
Louie G's popped into Fife revitalizing the local all-ages music scene while serving a tasty pizza pie. You don't care. You're looking for a night of hard rock and beer and damn it Riot In Rhythm, Klover Jane, Black Diamond, The Rikk Beatty Band, Amadon, Jason Kertson & The Immortals will deliver. 5 p.m.

The New Frontier Lounge

301 E. 26th St., Tacoma
Just give us an empty gun holster, a grimace, a Crispin Glover haircut, a pack of Pall Malls and indie rock bikers The Wheelies for New Year's Eve and we'll be fine. "Special" guests will open. 8 p.m.

Stonegate Pizza

5421 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma
Tribute bands have become so self-aware that Kashmir is practically a much-needed throwback to the original concept - guys trying to pass as a facsimile of a band you're simply never going to see live again. In the case of their Led Zeppelin tribute, Kashmir simply scores with vocalist Terry Mriglot who still hits the high notes. 9 p.m.

Swing Wine Bar & Cafe

825 Columbia St. SW, Olympia
Sure, champagne is great, but maybe you overdid it on Christmas - or maybe you're just a wine person. In that case, make sure you're at the Swing Wine Bar for New Year's Eve, Vince Brown, LaVon Hardison and Scuff & Al fill the romantic red house with delightful swing jazz. 6:30 p.m.

The Swiss

1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma
Adored by their fans and reviled by their critics, not since Stryper has a band been so close to heaven and hell. But when it comes to who owns the cover rock band scene in the South Sound, there's no debate. KRY will once again turn The Swiss into the largest meat market of the night. 9 p.m., oh there will be a cover charge

Top of Tacoma Bar and Café

3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma
Hip-hopper BreakLites pull the tour bus up to the Top for one helluva New Year's Eve bash. Weekly Volcano scribe Rev. Adam McKinney has the scoop on the show and the group's new album here. 9 p.m.

Uncle Thurm's Finger Lickin' Chicken and Ribs

3709 S. G St., Tacoma
Jazz saxophonist Kareem Kandi and his awesome band will cram into this Lincoln District treasure for a night of music, chicken, yams, macaroni and cheese and greens. 8 p.m., $30-$40

Wells Hall

310 N. K St., Tacoma
Pa, Ma, John Boy, Mary Ellen and the rest will whoop it up before fiddles in this alcohol and smoke-free New Year's Eve contra dance. Joe Michaels is calling. Fresh Cider will be performing. If you see the Baldwin sisters, visit their jalopy trunk. 8:30 p.m., $5-$15

What live New Year's Eve shows did we miss?

LINK: DJ-driven New Year's Eve parties

LINK: Why this will be the last New Year's Eve ever