Music Menu 

Black Market Radio / New August -- Here's a night some of you old Sound of Mine fans have been waiting for, kind of. You've got singer Carey Sims and guitarist Andy Seets back together in Black Market Radio. Joining them, and changing the sound around a bit, are Derek Young (ex-Jennifer Strip), drummer Chuck Lee (Cherry Bomb) and Jason Atkins (ex-Lou Ford), who lends a hearty helping of solid B3 to the mix. There's a definite Black Crowes vibe going on (circa Shake Your Money Maker) and Sims can belt out some soulful southern rock with the best of 'em (and come to think of it, he's also probably the only white fella I've ever seen who can convincingly sing a Prince tune, too). Rounding out the Sound of Mine alumnus is Stacey Leazer, currently with the newish New August. Straight ahead guitar here, too, but with more of a pop sensibility. Ex-Flyweb drummer Trey Walker, vocalist Joe Auch and bassist Patrick Boyd complete the line-up. If Sound of Mine were still together, you'd probably get a good cross of these two bands...go figure. Double Door Inn (Farris)

Die Trying -- They just might, die trying that is, although there are plenty of radio-ready rockers on their self-titled debut disc out on Island Records. And they sho 'nuff have the looks, chicks and the guitars to prove it, too. The record is nicely produced with crunchy guitars a plenty, but very run of the mill. Just flick on a modern rock station and you'll hear something similar. Opening for Hoobastank. Tremont Music Hall (Shukla)

THURSDAY 8.28

Recycled Percussion -- I've always been a pushover for sound experimentation, so when an outfit such as Recycled Percussion comes along, the battered musical antennae stands up to take notice. RP use the proverbial kitchen sink, along with ladders, found tools, building materials, oil drums and other bangable objects, to create a raucous medley of percussive pop. They deliver on the premise of their name with resounding clinks and clanks. Imagine a steel drum ensemble on speed, but it's all about rhythm and the furious banging creates a metallic orchestral aura. Man, some guys have all the fun. Tillman Auditorium, Winthrop U (Shukla)

SATURDAY 8.30

The Aqualads -- One supposes the Aqualads were never going to be superduperstars with their sudsy brand of surf music. Still, they managed to carve a pretty big place in the Charlotte music scene, and, while putting down roots both physical and otherwise, Jimmy King and Co. became something that money can't buy: cool elder statesmen of Charlotte rock. Still able to whack you but good with their patented whammy-bar attack, the group is probably better now than it ever was, which is saying something. Don't let the lack of lyrics keep you away -- King and the boys still manage to say more than a lot of area bands. With The Belmont Playboys. Double Door Inn (Davis)

The K-Word -- Based out of Roanoke, The K-word (Kootchie? Klan? Krispy Kreme?) have a nice sort of thing going on, though I can't for the life of me think of how to describe it. However, since I'm on deadline, I must try. Add a little REM-circa-Murmur kudzu, a little math rock, some Chicago-style "indie harmony," and a dash of Lee Ranaldo. Or not. Classic rock-writer-using-food-references aside, there's a surprising amount of warmth in here, the kind that just sort of seeps through the pores while you're trying to figure out what they're all about. I think they'd agree that such a thing is cool, especially when it happens organically. Speaking of organic, manure is organic. Enough of my bullshit -- go check 'em out. With labelmates Baleen. Fat City (Davis)

Sprite Liquid Mix Tour / Jessy Moss -- The Sprite Liquid Mix Tour has become a show I look forward to mainly because the emphasis is on the mix -- in other words it brings acts together from various genres...and it really works. This year features N.E.R.D., O.A.R., Robert Randolph & the Family Band, The Roots, Talib Kweli and a handful of others who represent rock, reggae, hip hop and everything in between. Among the headliners there's also a good combination of pop rockers (O.A.R.) and hip hoppers (The Roots), and then there's the likes of N.E.R.D who kind of combine a little of both. And it's all for the taking at the cost of only $10! (Farris) / Part punk, part jazz and mostly hip hop, Australian rapper/singer/songwriter Moss (appearing on the side stage) collects her samples in a neat box, then kicks it down the stairs with a regaling hoot. She's convincing enough in her "F-you's," but the whole thing gets dull over the course of her impending debut record, Street Knuckles (Dreamworks). She contends with working class ethos while using samples as diverse as John Lee Hooker and obscure jazz. As with any up and coming hip hopper, an introductory EP would've been cool enough, lest she picks a street brawl her novice knuckles can't handle. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Shukla)

The Talk CD Release Party -- This CD release party is for the excellent (new, sorta) No, You Shut Up, now out on the local imprint MoRisen Records. Interestingly, the band recently finished another record, It's Like Magic in Reverse, that ought to come out early next year (Do look for it. Buy this one first, but look for it). Produced by Jamie Hoover, No, You Shut Up is a tighter affair than past Talk projects, a bundle of nervous rock energy that releases itself with every chorus. It's good stuff, and, with a little distribution muscle, it might well "go places." Speaking of going places, the Talk was recently selected to perform at the International Pop Overthrow festival in Liverpool, England, in October. With Marat. Tremont Music Hall (Davis)

TUESDAY 9.2

John Mayer / Counting Crows / Leona Naess -- John Mayer may be the Bobby Darin of our generation to the young ladies, but he sure ain't Bobby Daring. He's skinnier than his boy Dave Matthews both in bulk and scope: basically, a harmless copy of a guy that was pretty harmless in the first place. Counting Crows have haunted me for years (could be Adam Duritz's dreads) with their ultimately maddening ability to write two or three pretty damn good (C'mon, admit it -- no one's looking) singles per record, and then filling the rest of the disc with much less challenging (hell, interesting) terrain. Leona Naess (see our interview in this issue) is a (rich, pretty, damn good singer and ever-growing) songwriter who also lends herself well to (parenthetical) expression. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Davis)

WEDNESDAY 9.3

4th Ward -- The new material by long running local pop rockers 4th Ward adds harder elements to their already potent Merseybeat sound -- in other words, expect an even more rocking show now. The demos from the upcoming record, Big Dream Baby, are an example that shows how a good rock band doesn't get stuck in a rut. The Beatlesque psychedelia is still there, the harmonies are still loaded and the pop takes many hip detours with spinning drums and guitar work. To their credit, the quintet does classic rock that flows with contemporary pop underpinnings. With Crisis. Double Door Inn (Shukla)