THE PLOT THICKENS! The lineup for Feedback, Metroland’s annual local-music bash and food-pantries benefit, just got a little bigger, with the addition of some electro-rock freakout from Beware! The Other Head of Science and the blues-rock goodness of the Black Fuel (more on them below). Those bands join the previously announced lineup: 28N, Big Nixon, Charlie Everywhere, the Charlie Watts Riots, the Greasy Spoons, Ben Karis-Nix and Amanda Rogers, Rocky Velvet, and the Sense Offenders. I may be biased, but I think this may be the best Feedback lineup yet. You decide on Friday, Nov. 7, when Feedback takes off at Valentine’s. See the ad in this week’s issue for more on the show.

PUTTING OUT Two area bands, each with deep roots in the Capital Region music scene, will release new CDs tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 24); it’s up to you, the listener, to decide where to drop your buck. Friday at Valentine’s will be your first chance to pick up The Sons of Perdition, the latest release from hardcore band Gunther Weezul on Overit Records. The band, featuring vocalist Kasey Dorr of fabled 1990s Troycore band Section 8, were dealt a major setback two years ago when founding guitarist Mike Gregoire passed away suddenly. Perdition will be the band’s first release since Gregoire’s passing, an event which they’ve called “a way for us to unite into an unstoppable unit.” Tickets are $10; call the club at 432-6572 for more details.

Also Friday, power trio the Black Fuel will deliver their second disc, Hell Is Cold, with a release party at Tess’ Lark Tavern. The band—guitarist-vocalist Albie Von Schaaf (onetime leader of ska-core group Can’t Say), drummer Mike Weirich and bassist Shawn McCann—have been hard at work on the album for some time now, recording mostly in their home studios. The resulting 11 songs are a groovy blend of rock, blues, and funk, served up with some killer singing and playing. Cover for the 10 PM release show is $5; the Sense Offenders will share the bill. Call the Lark at 463-9779 for more information.

BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE Halloween fast approaches—have you picked out your costume? Not what you’re wearing, but what songs you’re playing: The fine folks at Tess’ Lark Tavern, in association with thehiddencity.com, have announced the fifth installment of Why Can’t I Be You, to take place Halloween night (Friday, Oct. 31) at, naturally, Tess’ Lark Tavern. The intermittent series of shows, which began on April Fools Day 2001 at the old Lionheart Blues Café on Lark Street, features a host of area musicians covering each other’s songs. This year’s show, hosted again by MotherJudge and myself, will be more of the same, but with costumes. And possibly a political angle: Considering the event’s proximity to Election Day, acts have been asked to include a politically themed song in their mini-sets. There’s still room for more acts: If any local songwriters want to get in on the fun, contact me at the address below, or e-mail motherjudge@hotmail.com.

—John Brodeur

Let us know about local-music news and happenings for inclusion in Rough Mix: E-mail tips and information to tigerpop1@yahoo .com or metroland@metroland.net