FHM CD Release Party--Fast Heart Mart bring their street performance aesthetic and a brand-new album to Harlow's (NE corner of Central and Carlisle) on Friday, April 21. This show will be the official jumping off for An Orange Album, the lightning-quick follow-up to the group's 2005 The Red Record.

Wes Naman

Saxophonist opens Saturday Night Jazz Series at Seasons

Native son Ben McIver needs to perform more often. Not because he needs the practice, though he might tell you otherwise. Not because he's an excellent player, though he is. But so we can hear more of his elegant jazz compositions eloquently played.

420 Metal Fest

Requiem Mass, Tetelesti, The Ground Beneath, Suspended, Torture Victim, Aphotic Blitz and Natural Reaction provide the soundtrack to the best free barbecue of the season at The Zone Smokeshop (2505 San Mateo, just south of Menaul). Plus, they're giving discounts to people with this flyer, so take a copy of the Alibi with you and score some incense on the cheap. Saturday (which is actually 4/22) at noon. (LM)

An opera of unending ardor debuts

Thursday, April 20, at the Roy Disney Center for the Performing Arts in the NHCC; Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22, at Popejoy Hall: It's a love story that lasts five centuries. But don't pitch it that way if you're trying to get friends to go see it with you.

Veve at www.kickassphotography.com

with Bible of the Devil and Black Maria

Tuesday, April 25, Burt's Tiki Lounge (21-and-over); Free: As a pretty genuine, bona fide nerd, I can honestly say that these so-called “nerds” that make up The Nerds Rock Inferno scare the shit out of me. These aren't the type of nerds who internalize or bottle up their anger. Instead, one too many kicks to the groin via the high school quarterback have sent these comely Italian rockers into a rage-fueled fit of destruction. The Nerds work within a genre that could be defined as hardcore rabble rock that's fast, hard, dirty and not for your average malcontented spectacle wearer. Initial impressions of the band paint a picture of a somewhat chaotic mess of fast chord changes and barely audible screaming. There is, however, method to these nerds' madness. The complex layering and other intricacies can almost catch you off guard because of the Nerds' canaille musical persona. This is the only band I've heard that probably appeals to Rush and Cannibal Corpse fans equally.

Local musician leaves behind a legacy of stellar musicianship and genuine passion

On Monday, April 10, Albuquerque lost a valued member of its music community. Ryan King, bassist for the Cowpunk outfit Swingin' Meat and ex-member of the infamous local punk ensemble Beefcake in Chains died at the young age of 34.