Aside from the 50 bucks I lost this year playing fantasy football (not to mention my dignity), I'm not much of a gambling man. I am currently sporting a beard like the gambler Kenny Rogers, except mine's not white. But that's neither here nor there.

If I were a betting man, one thing is certain. There's no way in hell I'd bet against Zeke's show at Hell's Kitchen Friday, Jan. 4, with Neutralboy, Artimus Maximus, the Atomic Thrill, Toxic Holocaust, and the Altarboys.

Zeke is, far and away, one of the best hardcore punk bands around. That's what I like to call "common knowledge." Hopefully you also know about Zeke's digital release, Kings of the Highway, which found its way to the Internet on Dec. 11. For a taste of the seven-song effort, which includes three new songs from the band, "Lords Of The Highway," "Kings And Queens" and "Hay Bailer," and a cover of GG Allin's "Die When You Die" thrown in as an extra bonus, check out here.

Get 'em while they're hot â€" digitally, that is.

And don't miss this show.

Screwing up either recommendation would be tragic. â€" Matt Driscoll