The New Strawberry Zots--Back in school, when this burgeoningly menstrual girl got in my grill for not burning a Nirvana face onto my arm with a BIC lighter (the height of teen fashion at the time), I was at a total loss. Of course, I was familiar with Kurt Cobain and Nirvana and heroin-chic "alternative" music of the day. But the only radio I ever cared to listen to was AM and the Edge on Sunday nights, when the competent DJs could still get away with a few hours of local programming. So I shot back with all the reigning local bands I could think of. "So what? Ever hear of Apricot Jam? Word Salad? The Strawberry Zots?" She looked at me like I was diseased. "What's with the fruit, man?" she spat.

Pack Your Pistols

Help the The Dirty Novels boys rip the cellophane off their brand-new album this Friday, Jan. 19, at the Launchpad ($5, 21-and-over). With The Gracchi, The Ashes, The Demons and Vertigo Venus. (LM)

Musicians Against Violence benefit concert helps a community heal in the wake of sudden death

"Anything that could make noise, he could make it make music."

Rennie Solis

with A Hawk and a Hacksaw

It’s finally dawning on you that of Montreal is your favorite band. I’ll spare you the superlative laudation of The Elephant Six recording collective from which of Montreal emerged bright-eyed and full of promise more than a decade ago. You already know all about it. You’re their biggest fan.

www.thealbumleaf.com

Driving force James LaValle isn’t afraid to switch things up

Classically trained multi-instrumentalist James LaValle is on the road with his massive electronic-orchestral endeavor, The Album Leaf. We found LaValle making his way toward Albuquerque in support of his new album, Into the Blue Again, when we spoke with him in an exclusive phone interview.