Show me, show me, show me: St. Louis is overrun with national touring bands this week (see the over-stuffed Critics' Picks on page 66). But why not go all "Show Me State" on Blueberry Hill's ass (6504 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-727-4444) and check out local beloveds Red Eyed Driver, the Transmitters and J.J. & Kip Loui on September 24 at 9 p.m.? A five-dolla ticket gains you access to this trifecta of talent. Red Eyed Driver weaves together Death Cab-ish atmospheres and quiet, driving vocals while occasionally kick-starting a rockin' piano riff or guitar lick (might we suggest shouting out their awesome track "8Ball" rather than "Freebird"?). The Transmitters crank up the Cheap Trick licks and a power-rock 'tude, while J.J. & Kip Loui are frequent blues-rock circuit surfers who love the Lou so much, they named themselves after it (or, er, Kip's parents did).
Steal my sunshine: Punk-popsters Westcott had their entire trailer -- yes, all of their gear -- stolen from the Central West End in the early morning of September 18. "I am super-upset -- I just think that people who steal from musicians, it's like robbing a poor person," laments vocalist/guitarist Ben Wade. "But we're going to press on and do what it takes to keep going." The band has set up a PayPal link at www.myspace.com/westcott, where fans can donate cash money toward the purchase of new gear. And luckily, this pilfering shouldn't affect Westcott's plans to start recording an album December 1.
