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A slew of old faces to the music industry are proving they’re still kicking when a trio of seminal acts take the stages of St. Paul this weekend. (Two of which are sold out.)

Tonight, former Hüsker Dü co-frontman Grant Hart headlines a show at the Turf Club with fellow Twin Cities semi-legendary garage rock trio Rank Strangers. Hart is in the midst a musical comeback since his excellent 2009 album Hot Wax. He is in the thick of making a concept album based on John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost.” The album’s producer also happens to be Rank Strangers leader Mike Wisti, Hart’s chief collaborator on the album. The show will double as a benefit for Hart, who recently suffered a house fire. With Fortified Five (ex-Knife World) and Slip City Widows. (9 p.m. Friday. $6. 21-plus. Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

Then on Sunday, two national rock acts go head to head – The legendary Pixies at the Roy Wilkens Auditorium and former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell at the Fitzgerald Theater. It’s been seven years since the night the Pixies kicked off their reunion tour in Minneapolis after a three-day practice session at the Fine Line Music Cafe. By now, the second incarnation of the band has lasted longer than the first, though the band (said to have influenced Nirvana and the grunge genre in general) haven’t released a new album together since 1991. (Here’s a twist for you: The Pixies have listed Hüsker Dü as a key influence to their sound.) (7:30 p.m. Sunday. Sold out. Roy Wilkens Auditorium, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. 651-989-5151.)

Meanwhile, Chris Cornell could just as easily list The Pixies as an influence for his grunge band, Soundgarden, and his later hard-rock outfit with members of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave. Though the Soundgarden album Seasons was recorded by Cornell as a solo piece, reviews for his last album, Scream, deemed it awful at best. He may fare better on this acoustic songbook tour. In any case, the guy has one of the few voices around that could match Robert Plant for metal-ness. (7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show. Sunday. Sold out. All ages. Fitzgerald Theater, 45 7th St., St. Paul, 651-290-1200.)

More shows this weekend in St. Paul:

Friday:
Willie Murphy at Minnesota Music Cafe
The legendary West Bank folkie is still going 40 years later.
9 p.m. Free. 501 Payne Ave., St. Paul, 651-776-4699.

My Lady Four (CD release) at Station 4
Long awaited, highly anticipated show from the Minneapolis melodic rock five-piece. With the Teddy Holidays, This Is Breathing, Liz Akhavan.
5 p.m. $10. All ages. 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-224-6372.

Charmin & Shapira (CD release) at Artists’ Quarter
Charmin Michelle and guitarist Joel Shapira combine traditional and modern jazz styles to create Charmin & Shapira.
9 p.m. $10. 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. 651-292-1359.

Saturday:
The Goondas, Skoal Kodiak, Torch the Game, Hot Rash at Turf Club
The Goondas have been bringing their gritty, old-school sound with a rockstar-pulse that vibes through the hipster-heavy Minneapolis scene since 2008. Skoal Kodiak, on the other hand, beckons the smooth groove of reggae-meets-the early ’90.
9 p.m. $6. 21-plus. 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.

Calamity & the Owl, Courtney Yasmineh, James Loney, the Psychedelic Friends Network at Wild Tymes
Folk and singer-songwriter sets.
9 p.m. Free. 18-plus. 33 W. 7th Pl., St. Paul. 651-224-8181.

There’s so many great dance parties, rock shows, jazz revues, and riverboat cruises (yes, you heard me!) happening in St. Paul this weekend. Here’s the best – and the rest:

Grant Hart photographed by Steven Cohen

Grant Hart at Station 4
\Hot off a fall tour for his first album in a decade, ex-Hüsker Dü co-frontman Grant Hart plays a rare gig with a full band. Hot Wax is a return to form for the eccentric performer, which Pichfork called “1960s-infused garage pop clearly from the same soul who wrote all those era-defining Hüsker Dü classics.” Opening is the Phil Solem Band, led by the former frontman of the Rembrandts, and the Beautifics. (8 p.m. $10-12. 21-plus. 210 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-298-0173. www.station4.com)

Vampire Hands

New Year’s Eve Covers Night at Turf Club
Turf Club’s third annual New Year’s Eve covers night boasts five hot local bands playing all-covers from the band of their choice. Vampire Hands is joined by Nate Nelson of Private Dancer to transform themselves into a psychedelic version of Television; Leisure Birds and Zach Rose (formerly of Young Dudes) take on The Monks; Daughters of the Sun aptly cover shoegaze legends Jesus And Mary Chain; Marijuana Deathsquad join with Total Fucking Blood and Gina to become Brian Eno; and Secret Language masquerades as Fleetwood Mac. While you’re there, head down to the Clown Lounge for DJ sets from Winship, TRL and Secret Language. (9 p.m. $8. 21-plus. 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. www.turfclub.net)

Minnesota Centennial Showboat

SPStyle New Year’s Eve Party on the Centennial Showboat Theater
Partying on a riverboat going down the Mississippi has to be one of the most memorable ways to ring in the New Year, and the Twin Cities are pretty much the only place that offers such a treat in the U.S. This party is hosted by Local hip hop production company SPStyle, so the DJ and MC lineup is pretty hip hop-oriented and includes DJ D.Mil, Goulash Band, Rico Nevotion, DJ Doez It, DJ Francisco and many more. My bet is that they won’t be able to stop themselves from playing the T-Payne-satirizing “We’re On A Boat.” (9 p.m. 21+. $25-50. Harriet Island, 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd., St. Paul. 651-266-6400.)

DEMO New Year’s Eve Bash at St. Paul Aerie for the Arts/Eagles Club
The Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO) kicks off a weekend full of music at the Eagles Club with a New Year’s Eve show, featuring a lineup of local bluegrass acoustic acts. Whiskey Sournotes, Al Grande, Josh Von Mink, the Zingrays, Hunter Hero, and more fill out this packed bill. (7 p.m. $5. 18+. 287 Maria Ave., St. Paul. 651-774-7643.)

Irv Williams

Carole Martin & the Irv Williams Quartet at Artists’ Quarter
Jazz haven the Artists’ Quarter isn’t too shabby on an average night, bringing in the Twin Cities’ hotbed of local jazz and blues talent throughout the week for the past 15 years. When it comes to a night like New Year’s, though, they’ve really pulling out the big guns. Carole Martin’s a seasoned standard singer whose resume goes back before the British Invasion, and tenor saxophonist Irv “Mr. Smooth” Williams has been playing a few decades prior to that. The Artists’ Quarter’s cozy surroundings should provide an intimate backdrop, and a complimentary food spread can’t hurt. (9 p.m. $35-45. 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. 651-292-1359.)

More St. Paul NYE destinations:

St. Paul gay bar Camp hosts a Black & White Ball, kicking off with a live comedy and variety show before going into a soul dance party and prizes all night long. (8:30 p.m. Free before 10 p.m. or $5. 490 N. Robert St., St. Paul. 651-292-1844.) DJ Frayz headlines Lowertown GLBT club Rumours & Innuendo’s New Year’s Eve festivities. Also on tap: prizes, drink specials, midnight champagne toast, and a light show. (10 p.m. Free. 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul.) The Bulldog Lowertown is hosting a New Year’s Eve party complete with live music from the Blazing Saddles and a champagne toast at midnight. (8 p.m. Free. 237 E. 6th St., St. Paul. 651-221-0750.) Minnesota Music Cafe is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with local R&B/soul bands Soul Surreal and High & Mighty. (7 p.m. Free. All ages. 499 Payne Ave., St. Paul. 651-776-4699.)

FRIDAY: Solid Gold at Turf Club

The Twin Cities’ favorite synth pop band, Solid Gold, play one of their more intimate venues in a while. Hot off big gigs such as the Walker Art Center’s Rock the Garden, The MN Zoo and First Ave’s Mainroom, the likelihood of this show selling out is extremely high, so show up early! See them before they can’t humanly play here again and enjoy the fuzzy electro deliciousness that is Solid Gold up close and personal. This last minute show will also feature Kum ‘n Go and Colder in Moscow. (Turf Club, 9 p.m., $10. 21+. 1601 University Avenue, St. Paul)

Also Friday: Freddy Fresh at Concrete & Grass Festival in Lowertown (through Sunday), A Tribute to Nat King Cole at the Artists’ Quarter, The Rose Ensemble free showcase concert at Central Presbyterian Church.

SATURDAY: The Good the Bad and the Funky at MN Music Cafe

If you’re in the mood for some funky nostalgia then the Minnesota Music Cafe ought to be your destination tonight. Popular local dance band, The Good the Band and the Funky once again take over the MMC with their horn-heavy 10 piece ensemble. Playing funk and soul classics with a rock ‘n roll edge is their forte, so expect hepped up renditions of tunes a la James Brown, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder and more. These shows tend to be packed so arrive early to secure your spot on the dance floor. (Minnesota Music Cafe, 9 p.m. 21+. 499 Payne Avenue, St. Paul)

Also Saturday: JLBattle of Metal at Station 4; Woods/Vamp Hands/Daughters of the Sun/Leisure Birds at Turf Club; Kid Dakota, Desdamona, Romantica and more at Concrete and Grass (Fest runs through Sunday)

SUNDAY: Japandroids w/ Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band at Turf Club

Vancouver power-punk duo Japandroids have perfected a simple equation, combining frantic guitar riffs and strong melodies for a sound that is unapologetic toward its love for Hüsker Dü and Sonic Youth. Their latest, Post-Nothing, is chock-full of distorted, buzzed-out guitar and pounding drums. Despite the apparently nihilistic name of their album and the veil of fuzz they wrap around their sound, the band can’t seem to hide its pop catchiness. Seattle’s Mt. St. Helens Vietnam band and local neu-gazers Gospel Gossip open. (9 p.m. $7. 21+. Turf Club, 1601 University Avenue, St. Paul)

Also Sunday: Mystery Six/Longbottom/Leaf/Wrestling with Wolves at Big V’s, Heiruspecs at Concrete and Grass Festival