Shane MacGowan has left a grand tradition in his wake. That's because once his punk rock band The Nipple Erectors (later The Nips) came to end, the ultimate London punk scenester dosed his high-energy musical irreverence with his passion for traditional Irish songs.

Nowaways, bands like The Dropkick Murphys and Chicago's The Tossers -- a South Side Celtic punk band -- continue that legacy.

The latter band -- whose latest disc, "On a Fine Spring Evening," is out on the Windy City's Victory Records -- celebrates St. Patrick's Day right here in Milwaukee with an 8 p.m. gig at Turner Hall Ballroom.

For a decade and a half, this septet has spiked its fiery punk rock sound with green melodies, making their sweaty live show the perfect way to celebrate the wearing of the green in Cream City.

Also celebrating St. Pat's Day in Milwaukee is Gaelic Storm. But that's no surprise, really. Instead, it's actually something of a tradition, since the celebration of Irish music and dance - you know it from "Titanic" -- has celebrated the wearing of the green here for a decade now.

The Storm -- which unleashed "What's The Rumpus?" in July on its own Lost Again imprint -- rages in The Pabst at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29.50.

Some other gigs on tap this musically active week include:

The fab-o Bonnie "Prince" Billy -- aka Will Oldham -- returns to town to play a gig at Turner Hall on Wednesday, March 18. Billy hits the road to toast the release of his latest disc, "Beware," on Drag City. Our own Julie Lawrence is going to the show, so watch for a play-by-play the following morning. It costs $18 to get in.

At the same time, Madeleine Peyroux plays at The Pabst. Opener Steve Poltz is the guy that co-wrote Jewel's first hit, "You Were Meant for Me." Peyroux is touring behind her disc, "Bare Bones." Tickets are $28.50.

On Thursday night Ben Folds returns to play his fifth gig since 1997 at The Rave at 8 p.m. Folds, whose new disc is "Way to Normal," is joined by Jukebox the Ghost. Cover will run you $30.

The Rave has two gigs on Friday. Genuflect -- with Stepwise, Fates Illusion and Catalyst -- plays at 7 for just $10; and Primus' Les Claypool of is joined by Devotchka, Saul Williams, and Secret Chiefs 3 for a 7 p.m. stop on "The Oddity Faire: a Mutated Mini Fest" tour. Tickets are $25.50 and $31.50.

Milwaukee area pianist Jack Maglio recently released his solo piano disc, "Keep My Heart." You can hear selections from it when Maglio performs a free concert Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the New Berlin Free Methodist Church, 2975 S. Sunnyslope Rd.

Wisconsin Cajun rockers Copper Box return to Shank Hall on Saturday, too, to play an 8 p.m. show. If you like Clifton Chenier, The Subdudes, Bonnie Raitt, Buckwheat Zydeco and Creedence, you'll love this Oshkosh band. Cover is $10.

Shank hosts two blues bands the night before. Rumbleseat and Katz Sass Blues Band kick off at 8 p.m. and admission is $6.

On the South Side, the Modjeska has an early show -- at 5 p.m. -- with Oumar Sagna & Sindoolaa African Band, 9-year-old guitarist Tallan T-Man Latz, BlueHand and Sue DaBaco & Wise Fools. Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door) and the show is all ages (you can drink with I.D.).