Popular Genius celebrate the release of their new CD, How to Be Popular, at the Exit/In tonight. The new record finds the boys elaborating on their pure - and I mean pure as the driven snow - pop sensibility. Though there are parts where the guitar gets cranked, I’m not sure it would be fair to call this a rock record. How to Be Popular is sort of similar to a soft rock version of Ben Folds Five, and there are lots of horn and flute flourishes that bring to mind Beach Boys records like Friends and Carl and the Passions. There are actually two seperate shows tonight, with Rich Creamy Paint playing the opening slot at the late show. The first show, at 7 pm, is all ages, and the second show, at 9 pm, is 18+. Both are $6.

After a week of hard-rockin, the girls of SGRNRC tear it up on the stage of the Tucker Theater at MTSU. This is a great chance to see Nashville/Murfreesboro’s future female rock stars for absolutely nothing. They even promise smoke machines and a light show!

The show is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. Call 898-2193 for more info.

File this under “ultra cool WSM sponsored” event. So far this summer, on Fridays there have been shows at the Opry Plaza that are complimentary to the Grand Old Opry. So it’s like a big pre-party, I guess. This one is definitely one of the coolest, since it features the awesome Kelly Hogan & The Pine Valley Cosmonauts (Chicago) and Paul Burch and the WPA Ballclub. I remember seeing Kelly Hogan when she played guitar in the Rock*A*Teens, so there’s the instant cred. Paul Burch is a Nashville legend. Hopefully, there will be some confused tourists who check this out and see what Nashville really has to offer!

Who’s the cat with # 1 gold records, Grammy awards, an Oscar, his voice on an animated TV series, a radio show, a best-selling cookbook, two restaurants, and top-secret barbecue sauces? The baddest mother of them all, Isaac Hayes, that’s who. Best known for his work on the Shaft soundtrack, this Memphis native has been creating some of the finest rock and soul music since his start at Stax records in 1962. Hayes, affectionately known as Black Moses, was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Don’t miss his sure to be stellar performance on the Sobro stage tonight. If we’re lucky, maybe he’ll throw even throw some Chef tunes into the mix
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Our sources indicate that Ole Mossy Face plays Radio Cafe in East Nashville tonight after the Falls City Angels drunkenly cancelled their appearance. We have not yet been able to confirm or deny this report.

Ole Mossy Face have definitely been hard at work (if drinkin’ and shootin’ BB guns is still considered work) on a new EP at No Budget Studios in East Nashville. We’ve been able to preview snatches of the recording and the 5 songs capture their sweet southern rock in great form.

Hey, we know you’ve been sitting around saying, “Dammit, what Nashville needs is another compilation!” Well, lucky you. Spat! Records is putting one out (again) and they’re looking for bands. If you’d like to be considered bring a CD to Stacy at The End after 9pm on any night they’re open. Or send one to:

Spat! Records
1113 Forrest Ave Ste. A
Nashville, Tn 37206

One thing can be said for certain about the Curiosa Festival: it has put new life into The Cure. It could have something to do with being on a tour composed of newer, younger bands, but there was something different about them last night. They seemed excited, giddy, and just plain happy to be there.
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Seriously, Ronnie James Dio was unhappy with the band Dios’ name. He served them with a cease-and-desist to keep us from getting confused. Maybe people thought that Dios were many Dio. Are there five old midget metal singers onstage or are we at the wrong show?

Nonetheless, the band complied and are now known as DIOS MALOS — which means “many Dios are bad.”

Dr. Frank — the singer/guitarist/songwriter of MTX nee Mr. T Experience — has written his first novel, King Dork for Delacorte/Random House. The story follows two high school students and their band who seemingly can’t settle on a name — Baby Batter, Tennis With Guitars, Liquid Malice, Green Sabbath, Balls Deep.

Dr. F says: “What I’m going for is an amalgam of Judy Blume, P.G. Wodehouse, Philip Roth, Agatha Christie and Behind the Music.”

The exact date of release is still uncertain but probably not until 2006.

Some bands say, and some bands do. Murfreesboro’s Feable Weiner definitely fall into the “do” category, having transformed from an acoustic duo bashing out pop songs at the Springwater into a well oiled pop-punk touring machine in just a few short years. Through the sheer tenacity of their hard work, they got a record deal with Doghouse Records, and are planning on crossing the pond in support of their debut Dear Hot Chick this fall. We talked to Josh Weiner (guitar/background vocals) to see what, if anything, gets the Weiners hard.
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