Music Menu (2/17/09)

Hawks Featuring members – or leftovers, a designation they might prefer – of the jazzbo/hard-core Blame Game, Electrosleep International (but not the Deerhunter dude), and lady art-punkers Vera Fang (but not the ladies), Hawks are a cross-section of the ATL underground fueled by booze, questionable behavior, and punishing, uncompromising noise-rock. The band’s debut, Barnburner, is out on 180-gram vinyl on Army of Bad Luck, and this donations-only date is part of a two-week East Coast victory lap. Drop some gas-and-food money on ’em and come enjoy the dulcet love. With Grids and Reverser. Lunchbox Records (Schacht)

Automatic Loveletter The rock trio Automatic Loveletter, led by vocalist Juliet Simms, plucks soft, somber tones of piano, check the haunting tune “Hush,” and also cranks the amps with harder numbers. Simms’ vocals are more sensuous when subdued in a slow song then when rocking out. She’s got the moxie, though, to be a top-rung singer/lyricist. Also on the bill: A Cursive Memory, The Friday Night Boys and A Clerestory. Tremont Music Hall (Shukla)

This article appears in Feb 17-24, 2009.