Mike Campbell, Rebecca Jade and 7 other standout shows this weekend

A heartbreaker, the Pope of Trash and a tribute to a beloved local musician highlight a packed slate of concerts in San Diego this weekend.

One of the most uniquely themed cover bands in the area, A Nightmare on 80s Street, takes the stage at The Holding Company on Dec. 5. The group plays an excellent mix of 1980s era hits, but what sets them apart from other dance bands playing songs such as Duran Duran’s “Girls on Film” or Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name,” is that all five members are costumed as iconic horror film stars, with Freddy Kreuger (vocals), Mike Myers (guitar), Jason (bass), Hannibal Lechter (drums) and Pinhead (keyboards). The inspired visuals almost make it feel like a bonus that everyone in the band is an incredible musician. Horror fans will appreciate that Nightmare on 80s Street uses their respective movie characters’ theme music as a segue between the hits.

• A Nightmare on 80s Street: Friday, Dec. 5 at The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave., 8 p.m. No cover.

It’s going to be loud at Winston’s on Dec. 6 when DJ Tim Pyles hosts a Rock ‘n’ Roll Xmas Toy Drive. Bring an unwrapped gift for free admission for a matinee show featuring punk favorites Authentic Sellout, Latin alternative ska rockers Marujah, up-and-comers Alexa Villa and Insomnia, DJ Barry Thomas, and Spitfire Torpedo, a hard-rocking quartet featuring members of Rust, Manual Scan, and Saint Shameless. It’s a wonderful way to take in an afternoon of great original music while helping out families in need this Christmas.

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Xmas Toy Drive: Saturday, Dec. 6 at Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., 1 p.m. $5 or unwrapped gift.

Powerhouse vocalist Rebecca Jade hosts her second annual “Rebecca Jade & Friends Jingles & Jams” show on Dec. 5 at Sycuan Casino Resort. Joined by singers Andréa Lisa and Jeff Ryan, Jade will perform seasonal favorites and original tunes that are sure to impress. A well-respected session and touring musician, Jade has worked with a long list of notables, including Elton John, Sheila E, and Dave Koz. This show gives her a chance to stretch out musically and headline in her own right.

• Rebecca Jade: Friday, Dec. 5, at Sycuan Casino Resort, 5469 Casino Way. 8:30 p.m. $36.

All-star punk rock cover band Spike & The Gimme Gimmes perform at The Observatory on Dec. 6. Consisting of Spike Slawson (Swingin’ Utters), C.J. Ramone (The Ramones), Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Andrew “Pinch” Pinching (The Damned), and John Reis (Rocket From The Crypt), the group is known for primarily playing punk versions of ‘70s tunes. However, they also throw in plenty of left field, more current covers such as “Estos Celos” by Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez, sung in Spanish, and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 You,” as well as standards such as “Over The Rainbow” and “Ghost Riders In The Sky.” Fans of all the involved musicians’ original bands will want to check out this fun, high-energy show.

• Spike & The Gimme Gimmes: Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Observatory, 2871 University Ave., 6:30 p.m. $40.

Anyone lamenting the passing of the mid-1990s Brit Pop scene would do well to give a listen to Pleasure Pill, who perform at The Casbah on Dec. 6. As heard on their new album, “Hang A Star,” Pleasure Pill excels at anthemic rock, with soaring, sing-along choruses not unlike Oasis, and British bands such as The Charlatans and Kula Shaker. Pleasure Pill has the bravado and songwriting skills to pull off the Brit Pop sound, with hook-filled songs such as “One to Blame” and “Wonder How” sounding like lost hit singles from three decades back.

• Pleasure Pill: Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd. 8:30 p.m. $20. the.

Guitarist Mike Campbell, best known as one of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, performs with his band, The Dirty Knobs, at The Magnolia on Dec. 7. Campbell has had an amazing career, recording with everyone from Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond to Eurhythmics and The Dandy Warhols, even becoming a member of Fleetwood Mac for a spell. His current single, “Heart of the Heartland,” showcases Campbell’s sound: Americana-tinged rock ‘n’ roll, not unlike many of the classics he co-penned for The Heartbreakers, such as “Runnin’ Down A Dream,” “Refugee,” and “Here Comes My Girl.” While Campbell includes material from his three solo albums, rest assured that he’ll several tracks from his time rocking alongside Petty.

• Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs: Friday, Dec. 7 at the Magnolia, 210 E Main St. 7 p.m. $54 and up..

Beloved San Diego-based musician Tom Ward passed away in September after a long battle with cancer. On Dec. 6, friends and family will gather at The Grand Ole BBQ to celebrate his life and music. A well-respected bassist, Ward was a mainstay of the area’s music scene since the early 1980s when he was a teenage member of iconic garage band, The Gravedigger V, going on to perform in numerous internationally acclaimed groups. Attendees at this event will be treated to performances from The Nashville Ramblers, The Amandas, The Dave Gleason Trio, The Sidelong Glances, Bart Davenport of Bay Area band The Loved Ones, Trio Los Elotes, and more. The overflowing list of top-tier acts taking part in this free event is a testament to the love the local music community has for Ward.

• Celebrating the Life and Music of Tom Ward: Saturday, Dec. 6 at Grand Ole BBQ, 15505 Olde Highway 80. 1-5 p.m. No cover.

One of the world’s finest ukulele players, Jake Shimbakuro, stops in at The Belly Up on Dec. 7. With its small size and just four strings, the ukulele was long considered by many  a toy with limited musical range. Shimbakuro helped change that perception with a series of solo albums and TV appearances beginning in the early 2000s, helping spark a wave of interest in the instrument that continues to this day. Shimbakuro is a fun, engaging musician whose virtuoso performances of songs from the likes of The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and ZZ Top will impress fans of rock, soul, world music, and classical guitar.

• Jake Shimbakuro: Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. $67 and up.

Legendary director John Waters stops in at Lou Lou’s on Dec. 8 and 9 for his annual Christmas celebration. A mix of lecture and comedy, Waters’ live concerts feature him discussing his life growing up in Baltimore and touching on his long string of cult films, including classics like “Polyester,” “Crybaby,” and “Hairspray.” Like the shock value in his movies, this show isn’t for the faint of heart, but film buffs and anyone with a quirky sense of humor will enjoy every second of Waters’ appearance.

• John Waters: Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 8 and 9 at Lou Lou’s, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. 8 p.m.

Lead vocalist and songwriter Andy Bell of the 80s era synthpop duo Erasure performs at Music Box on Dec. 10. Currently touring behind his new album “Ten Crowns,” Bell showcases a set list that includes half the album’s tracks interspersed with Erasure’s best-known songs. While Erasure only scored three big U.S. hits — “Chains of Love,” “A Little Respect,” and “Always” — they produced 32 charting songs in Europe. Four decades after first taking the stage, Bell is still in fine voice. Fans of ‘80s-pop electronica won’t want to miss this performance from an EDM pioneer.Andy Bell: Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Music Box, 1337 India St., 8 p.m. $60.