Seven CMJ bands you need to go see

It's that time of the year again. The College Music Journal, commonly known as CMJ, is putting on its annual marathon of music and film events from Oct. 16-20, and these five days could keep your cultural hunger satiated for some time. Music lovers will drool at the list of performers, who include the well-known (M.I.A., Justice, Q-Tip) and those who fly under the radar (The Hood Internet, Torae). The concerts are spread out across NYC's music venues, and while tickets to individual shows may leave you with a hefty bill, the good folks at CMJ are exclusively offering $99 badges to NYU students up until the first day of the festival, which allow you to walk into any concert you please. Check out www.CMJ.com to buy your badge and view the festival schedule, and turn to pg. 3 for some choice picks from the lineup to point you in the right direction.

Xiu Xiu

On his five albums under the Xiu Xiu moniker, Jamie Stewart (the only consistent member of the band since its inception in 2000) has combined his dark, revealing vocals with unexpected and sometimes disturbing noises. The lush songs he creates cull any sort of reaction. While many may deem Xiu Xiu as weird or incomprehensible, the group (currently a four-piece) has found much success in the experimental indie scene, especially after 2004's "Fabulous Muscles." That album infused the emotional and sensory-based foundations of the band's earlier albums with accessible hooks for their quickly expanding audience. - Charlie Tatum

Wed., Oct. 17, Blender Theater at Gramercy, 127 E. 23rd St., 7 p.m., $16, with Marnie Stern, Mika Miko, Mary Timony, www.livenation.com

1990s

All you need to enjoy 1990s is a sense of humor and a fondness for funky bass-lines and raunchy guitars. The band's debut, "Cookies," is the perfect party soundtrack. Songs filled to the brim with hooks evoke the same energy-ridden feeling of an old punk record. But remember this is 1990s, not 1900s - you will wind up at the wrong show. Don't miss out, 'cause 1990s will put on one hell of a live show. - Tanmay Kumar

Thurs., Oct. 18, Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St., 6 p.m., $17, with British Sea Power, Pela, Tiny Masters of Today, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, the Grey Race, www.boweryballroom.com

Cadence Weapon

Son of famed hip-hop DJ Teddy Pemberton, Rollie Pemberton (a.k.a Cadence Weapon) has quickly carved out a place for himself in underground hip-hop. His debut, "Breaking Kayfabe," blends Nintendo-esque beats with gruff raps that draw inspiration from his Canadian roots. A former writer for Pitchfork, Pemberton has experience opening for independent rock acts, having hit the road with indie-poppers Islands. He'll also be opening for Arcade Fire associate Final Fantasy on the group's upcoming tour, where he will bring his notoriously intense live show to New York on Nov. 10 and 11. - Alex Dorf

Wed., Oct. 16, Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 N. Sixth St., Brooklyn, 7 p.m., $12/14, with Place to Bury Strangers, Foals, Sam Champion, Yeasayer, Alberta Cross, www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

Thurs., Oct. 18, Fat Baby, 112 Rivington, 7:30 p.m., $7, with Uncut, Wintersleep, Hunter Valentine, Winston, www.babyfatnyc.com

Jay Reatard

Tennessee-native Jay Reatard has created some of the best punk around since he was a fresh-faced 15-year-old pounding on buckets and strumming broken guitars as a member of the Reatards. He has since lent his abilities in mixing melody with aggression to the bands The Lost Sounds, Angry Angles and Destruction Unit. Reatard is now on his own, performing his unique brand of garage punk on a two-month headlining tour in support of his 2006 full-length album "Blood Visions" and mess of EPs released in 2007. If you don't have the ID for his 21+ CMJ show, check him out at Maxwell's on Oct. 20 with the Dirtbombs and the Intelligence. - Ashley Tyrrel

Thurs., Oct. 18, Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston, 21+, 7 p.m., $12, with the Dirtbombs, the Intelligence, Miss Alex White, Cheap Time, Turbo Fruits, www.mercuryloungenyc.com

Air Traffic

Quartet Air Traffic is turning heads in the UK for its catchy indie-pop tunes, vacillating between piano-driven songs like "Shooting Star," and rock riffs, like those on hit song "Charlotte." Though the band has received comparisons to Keane and Coldplay based on its use of falsetto vocals and keyboards, listening to the debut "Fractured Life" immediately proves the comparisons are warranted. With a #42 record on the UK album charts, it's surely a band to put on your radar. Don't fret if Air Traffic's shows conflict with M.I.A. or Justice - the group is playing a bevy of shows at CMJ. - Amanda Mastrull

Wed., Oct. 17, Canal Room, 285 W. Broadway, 8 p.m., FREE, with Christopher Denny, Arizona, Division Day, Die Romantik, Dragonette, www.canalroom.com

Check www.myspace.com/airtraffic for all other dates.

Robbers on High Street

This New York band's music is filled with the punchy cadence of modern indie rockers like The Strokes, infusing its tunes with catchy '60s melodies. Its members may not be stars - yet - but Robbers on High Street distinguish themselves from other classic-rock-leaning bands with intriguing tongue-in-cheek lyrics. At their shows, band members Ben Trokan, Steven Mercado and Morgan King seamlessly switch from bass to guitars and from trumpets to tambourines, all while Tomer Danan offers continuity on the drums and Trokan sings with unwavering skill. - Annie Lesser

Wed., Oct. 17, Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston, 21+, 7 p.m., $12, with Eskimo Joe, the Little Ones, Eagle Seagull, Airborne Toxic Event, Rosewood Thieves, Rock and Roll, www.mercuryloungenyc.com

Syme

Hailing from Bergen, Norway, Syme creates spacey, hook-driven indie rock that cites Radiohead, Sigur Rós, Mogwai and the Postal Service as influences. The band seems equally comfortable with sparse harmonies and guitar-driven flameouts, often occurring in the same track. Though the group uses the conventional instrumental setup of guitars, bass, drums and synth, Syme adds flavor by remixing many tracks, like the five that appear on the "Modern Love" EP. Even if this is Syme's first venture to American clubs, it is clear from the music that the band knows what we like. - Roland Li

Tues., Oct. 16, Ace of Clubs, 9 Great Jones St., 6 p.m., $10, with The Primms, David Condos, Telling on Trixie, Terry Poison, Black Tie Affair, www.aceofclubsnyc.com

Thurs., Oct. 18, The Delancey, 168 Delancey, 2:30 p.m., FREE, www.thedelancey.com

E-mail the WSN music staff at music@nyunews.com.