Terry Edmunds plays the 86 Street Music Hall Thursday (March 30). Charles Campbell photo. This is the week that will be. And a big week for local music it will be, too, with the Rock Conference wrapping up at 86 Street on Saturday and Vancouver bands playing in showcases around town in hopes of catching the music industry's eye. Bob's Your Uncle should be mentioned at the top of the list, partly because they're so darn much fun, and partly because they're playing Thursday (March 30) at the Town Pump. Appearing with them is Pretty Wicked Head and the Desperate Men, a long name for a New Zealand trio that will be making Vancouver its base for the next few months. Also on Thursday, a quadruple bill of heavy metal and hard rock is on tap at the Commodore, namely DeJa Vu, Goliath, Rival, and Osiris. Those with delicate constitutions should probably not attend. Also Thursday, the 86 Street Music Hall offers three bands, The Big See, the Terry Edmunds Band (featuring some fine blues-based guitar work and a new lineup), and The Odds, perhaps the best of local singer/songwriter Steve Drake's bands to date. Friday will also see Brilliant Orange on stage at the Town Pump, along with the big sound of Curious George. Those whose tastes run more towards adventuresome jazz would probably prefer to spend Friday night at Isadora's on Granville Island, where Lunar Adventures will stretch a few musical boundaries, an experience that the local heroes will reprise on Saturday. Jazz fans can also look forward to the BIii Clark Sextet's Soft Rock Cafe show on Sunday (April 2). The group represented the Pacific Region in last year's Alcan Jazz Competition at the Montreal Jazz Festival, where they came close to winning it all (or what was available, at least). As far as shows from out-of-town bands go, Crowded House's Orpheum concert is sold out. It's been sold out for months. We don't know why we're even bothering to bring it up, except to tease you. If you have tickets, then you already are aware that the show is on Friday (March 31 ). Two blasts from the past are coming into town this coming week: the Dickey Betts Band, featuring the skilled guitarist from the Allman Brothers, at 86 Street on Sunday (April 2); and Commander Cody, who comes to the Town Pump on Monday (April 3). Bruce Cockburn is also due in Vancouver soon, touring in support of his new LP, Big Circumstance. He'll be playing the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Thursday (April 6). Upcoming for next Friday (April 7) is a double bill of England's Oyster Band and Toronto's Rare Air. They will be bringing a Celtic flavour to the Commodore, but with a modern twist that should keep all those wacky Druid slamdancers happy. Step lively now. /F 1HEGoV~~NMf.N, FVN~~PAR'r1'71$ t,./l(c 1HtYrVNP :roc.1