Dropkick Murphys have revealed the initial plans for their annual St. Patrick's Day festivities in Boston. The band will take over the House of Blues on Friday, March 12 for shows through Wednesday, March 17. More details will be made available over the next week but fans can expect tickets to go on sale Friday, November 27. And speaking of Dropkick Murphys and St. Patrick's Day, the band is just finishing up putting together their Live on St. Patrick's Day 2009 album, which is set to be released in time for next year's shows. The album will feature a completely different track listing from their first live album that was released in 2002. There will also be a bonus DVD version.

Bang Camaro guitarist and co-founder Alex Necochea has joined local favorites Township. Winners of the 2007 WBCN Rock n' Roll Rumble, Township are currently working on their second full-length album and follow up to 2007's Coming Home. Necochea (who also is ex-member of The Good North) will make his live debut on Friday at TT the Bear's Place. Also on the bill are the Dirty Truckers, Long Time Darlings and 66 Breakout. Tickets are $10.

As previously reported, the Boston Music Awards have revelead their nominations for the 2009 Awards. We're glad to see that the BMAs will truly celebrate the local music and not the big names that once lived and/or went to school in Boston. Now, if only they could decide on a fixed number of nominees for each category, we'd be even happier. Get all the details on the awards here. And of course, don't forget to rock the vote here.

Cave In, who ended their four year hiatus this past summer, have revealed plans to reissue their recently released EP, Planets of Old, as a CD/DVD combo on January 26, 2010. The 13-track DVD is comprised of footage from the band's reunion show at Great Scott in July. Fans can preview the DVD with video clips on the band's MySpace page or check out the real thing when the headline the Middle East Downstairs on Sunday, November 22.

Calling all local bands: Danish rockers Mew are looking for a Boston band to open their upcoming show at the Paradise Rock Club on December 2. To apply, go here http://www.mewsite.com/openformew/, select Boston and complete the form. Goodluck!

Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block will look to parlay the success of the group's reunion tour with his own solo career. McIntyre, who has already released four solo albums, released a seven-song EP, Here We Go Again, on Tuesday through digital retailers. Fans can expect a solo tour sometime in early 2010. In the meantime, you catch him with the rest of the New Kids at the House of Blues on December 20 as part of a benefit concert for Toys For Tots.

And finally, our tip for getting the weekend started early: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at the House of Blues. We just love the Vermont rockers and you should too. Find out why for just $25, which also gets you in for openers Brett Dennen and Sean Bones.