By Popular Demand--Doc's and the Blue Fin Caf‚ are turning Cannery Row into one big party this weekend.

A guitar, a microphone and a little lighting. That''s all it took last week for Men At Work''s Colin Hay. He played some new songs and some old ones from the days, when the band was at its zenith. He held the audience in the palm of his hand with his trademark voice that somehow managed to sound raspy, urgent and melancholy at the same time. His guitar work, a mix of simultaneous strumming and picking sent a hush over a crowd that listened in complete concentration, their eyes glued to his fingers, gliding smoothly over the strings and coaxing interesting sounds from the instrument. In short, Hay''s music is simply beautiful and if you didn''t see him this time around, don''t miss the opportunity to experience a master at his craft next time you get the chance.

It''s "that thing" with the instrument, which separates the true artist from the wanna-be. That certain connection to one''s chosen craft/tool which will send chills down your spine. It is what throws fans into a screaming frenzy or a crying fit because they are experiencing euphoria. That''s what Colin Hay did with ease, and that''s what some of the musicians will do to you this weekend as well.

The Unknown Jeromes are rolling in from Santa Cruz for their last show at Doc''s on Saturday. Well, actually, they''re rolling in from Las Vegas this time around, where they spent four major party...ahem.working/schmoosing days at EAT''M, the conference/showcase/festival for Emerging Artists and Talent in Music. When I spoke to Jason Tobosa (the band''s drummer and PR man) at the beginning of the year, he told me that they were waiting for confirmation to perform at the festival as one of 50 bands picked from 2,000! The UJ''s are definitely pumped up. They''ve been in high demand over the past few months, traveling all over the place, and keeping busy every weekend. For those of you who haven''t had the pleasure of experiencing their act, let me tell you, don''t miss it. The funky hip-hop/acid jazz mix with an occasional touch of soul will get you into the groove and onto the dance floor, no doubt.

The six-piece band has been together for about five years now and their familiarity with each other''s nicks and nacks is obvious and definitely fun to watch. So for an all-around great time, this is one band you should check out. And playing once again with The UJ''s, West Coast Rhythm Section will do the opening honors. They''ve met with rave responses from the audience each time they''ve performed here (and anywhere for that matter), even headlining Doc''s in the recent past. Their world beat sound will put you in a serious dancing mood.

The Unknown Jeromes playing with West Coast Rhythm Section, Saturday, 9:30pm, Doc''s Nightclub, 649-4241

It seems like All Day Wire is slowly becoming the house band for the Blue Fin Caf‚. They''ve continued to build an ever-growing audience with each visit and now are back once again to show you a "table-dancing" good time. Their funk/rock/pop sound is definitely high-energy and upbeat. Their philosophy is to spread positive, clean fun, and it seems that they''ve been pretty successful, considering the fact that the relatively new band from Orange County barely played together for two weeks before it was caught up in a whirlwind of venues and performances. Of course, if you''re not in the mood to funk down, there''s always the possibility of an excellent appetizer or a quick game of pool to tickle your fancy.

All Day Wire, Sunday, 9pm, The Blue Fin Caf‚, 375-7000

And for a taste of the local scene, you should come and check out Dick Richie (formerly Juice). They''re going to rock the house on Thursday at Doc''s. About the name, in case you hadn''t heard the full story, legal necessity brought on the change and the cult flick, True Romance, gave us (and ultimately the band) an aspiring if not slightly clumsy actor whose name was, you guessed it, Dick Richie. Though he''s pretty much present throughout the movie, the first scene that came to mind and incidentally introduced the character to the audience, was Richie sitting on the toilet with a cell phone in his hand, howling for toilet paper. A classic if you ask me, something we''ve all had to go through once or twice in our lives, I''m sure.

Last week, I got to sample some of the band''s new songs at a rehearsal, and I have to admit that even in the small studio-apartment where they practice, the whole thing sounded pretty damn good. The tight guitar work manages to bring forth some cool sounds, and puts bassist Sean Michael White back to playing guitar (remember Nectar of the Gods?) along with Justin Saunders (who by the way, definitely has that thing going with his guitar, check it out). Mitch Fadem who''s usually found at the keyboards, was playing bass that day, leaving Charlie Sutter with some nice drum work, as usual.

If you can make it to the party before 9:15pm, you''ll get in for free. After that the cover will be, and I quote, 300 pennies. Torture anybody? Opening for Dick Richie will be a band from Santa Cruz called Netwerk Electric. The core of this seven-piece band is made up of Michael Jaramillo (drums), David Menez (rhythm guitar) Dominc Maze (fretless bass) and Justin Fagnati-Bell (keyboard), all former members of the Santa Cruz Funk Collective. Their sound is a cool mix of fusion/funk/jazz/Latin Rock and judging from venue successes at The Catalyst and Palookaville to name a few, where they played nearly sold-out shows in front of up to 500 fans, their sound gets people going. If you consider the fact that this band has only been together for a few months (say four or five!) and still managed to headline at The Catalyst, pulling in a crowd of 400, you know they''ve got to be good. Thursday''s the day to start the party, for sure.

Dick Richie with Netwerk Electric opening, Thursday, 9:30pm, no cover before 9:15; $3 after 9:15, Doc''s Nightclub, 649-4241

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