The National Post (Canada) has an interview with R.E.M.’s Peter Buck. Usually Mr. Buck gives some in-depth answers in his interviews. This is mostly short and pithy, i.e.: “Some people watch (”American Idol”), but kids nowadays are pretty smart. That horrible boy band sh-t and pop Idol crap is, I don’t know, some people listen to it. I’m lucky I guess - my kids don’t.”

The Daily Vanguard (student newspaper at Portland State University) posted an interview with Dark Meat’s Ben Clack today. Good interview. One of Clack’s lines: “Crazy shit happens all the time, we’re pretty wild.” Dark Meat is on tour all month and playing in Portland tonight.

Steve Colmus well remembers his initial exposure to the frantically rocking Baltimore band, J. Roddy Walston and the Business (playing Wednesday at Tasty World). “I was actually on a date,” says Colmus. “A friend of mine told me I needed to see this group. So we went to see them and I was just blown away.” Colmus didn’t stick with the young woman whom he accompanied to see Walston and his mates, but he did eventually join the band, and has sat in the drum chair for the past two years. Read the full story…

Kebert Xela, Blastoids, Olympus Mans
8:30 p.m., Flicker Bar and Theatre
What is Kebert Xela? Why, it’s Alex Trebek backwards, a reference to “Family Guy” and a local indie band. Blastoids, an experimental, electronic pop band from Tennessee, and Olympus Mans, a local keyboard and drums duo, will also perform. - Trisha Klein

Torche, Black Tusk, The Dumps, American Cheeseburger
9 p.m., 40 Watt
Miami rock act Torche has a brand of stoner rock that will appeal to fans of The Melvins and Queens of the Stone Age. Savannah’s Black Tusk plays metal thrash. The Dumps play “dirty Southern thunder,” which is a mix of metal and rock. Featuring former members of no!, Carrie Nations, Divorce and Dirty Needles, American Cheeseburger plays hardcore thrash. - Trisha Klein

Morning State, The XYZ Affair, Jukebox the Ghost
10 p.m., Caledonia Lounge
Atlanta-based indie rock band Morning State (left) will release its debut album, which was recorded at Downtown Athens Recording Company, on Tuesday. Jukebox the Ghost, an indie rock trio from Washington, D.C., plays piano-driven pop. Brooklyn’s XYZ Affair plays high energy, indie powerpop that will appeal to people who think Death Cab for Cutie should perk up and Of Montreal should chill out. Admission is $6. - Trisha Klein

• 40 Watt: American Cheeseburger, Black Tusk, The Dumps, Torche.
• Caledonia: Morning State, The XYZ Affair, Jukebox the Ghost.
• Flicker: Blastoids, Kebert Xela, Olympus Mans.
• Melting Point: Jeff and Vida Band.
• Tasty World: C-Fresh, Son1, Yea Big & Kid Static.