The Genre Gap

Tighe's own developing musical tastes color much of the material on Second Story. "Before writing these songs, I was listening to a lot of Ray Davies," he says. "He's probably my favorite songwriter, so I can't help but use him as a certain gauge. There's also a playfulness in his vocal delivery that I followed, which I think freed me up on this album."

Although the influence of Davies and the Kinks permeates much of the album (especially the crunchy "Party"), the group's mesmerizing sound runs the gamut from the Crosby, Stills & Nash harmony of "Blue Sky" to the Beatlesque title track. While the group hasn't really courted commercial success, recent years have found their music seeping through to the mainstream. Their breakthrough came with a Dixon-remixed version of "Jumpstart" (a cut that originally appeared on 1993's He's After Me), which played during a pivotal boy-falls-for-girl scene in the 1997 comedy Chasing Amy. Discerning pop fans should be out in force for the Hang Ups return to the Valley.

Andrew Bessler

Twin City tunesmiths the Hang Ups.

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• Dave Shouse
• Brian Tighe
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• Ray Davies
• Concerts and Tour Dates

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The Hang Ups are scheduled to perform on Saturday, November 13, at the Balboa Café in Tempe, with the Pennydrops. Showtime is 9 p.m.

Mind Blowers:As if the chance to see Guided By Voices (see the story) isn't enough to mobilize indie music fans, then the added bonus of catching Those Bastard Souls open for the Dayton rockers should have folks lined up early. The sorta-side project features Grifters' main man Dave Shouse as well as members of the Damnbuilders, Red Red Meat and the late Jeff Buckley's band. The group's latest V2 Records release, Debt & Departure, is an inspired mix of dark, aching roots rock (think Sticky Fingers-era Stones) that has earned the band almost universal praise. Songs like "The Last Thing I Ever Wanted Was to Show Up and Blow Your Mind" and "Curious State" explore deep country blues grooves backed by Shouse's brooding vocals. With Shouse's reputation as a consummate showman, the Bastard Souls opener should not be missed.

Contact Bob Mehr at his online address: bmehr@newtimes.com