This Little Underground

The first, superior experiment was an impressively climactic electro-symphonic piece. As Head explains it, three different CDs were distributed among the cars. The same track was on all discs but in three different versions, each pitched and filtered to meld harmoniously. The second experiment involved all different tracks but the collective result was more droning.

Still, between the experiences both sonic and physical, this was a triumph of DIY concept and execution – probably the coolest local thing I've seen this year. In fact, if anyone has footage, please share. I'll keep track of this project for you, but Head tells me that another, more elaborate version is currently in development as part of the Accidental Music Festival (Nov. 9-11).

Riding the wind of a thoroughly great album (Seriousness), Minneapolis' the Blind Shake blew on down to Florida for the first time (Oct. 3, Will's Pub). With just drums and a dual-guitar attack, the trio does a blitzing take on garage-punk that's surf-splashed, noise-cranked and bottom-heavy (one of those guitars is a baritone and the drummer's an animal). It's a beautifully raw stomp delivered at fever pitch and done with style. Wild, wiry and harder-hitting than their garage peers, these guys rain down glorious, ass-shaking urgency in sound and body.

The Riverboat Gamblers won my heart at bigger venues by showing up the bands for which they opened. In an intimate room as headliner, though (Oct. 6, the Social), they absolutely lit up the room with their kinetic fire. They're a pitch-perfect mix of gutsy punk and party-starting rock & roll, and their songs rip like a hotrod burning out. The crowd may have been tame, but it was clear from the jump that singer Mike Wiebe was beyond restraint – leaping around onstage, then down on the floor, then on top of the bar and then out the front door. Kick ass, every damn time.

> Email Bao Le-Huu