ORGASMIC SOUNDS: The Cold War.

The Cold War’s first recording doesn’t sound like anything on the Providence music scene, which is curious, considering they’ve lived here a while now. In fact, the Cold War sounds like it sprang from the late-’80s UK, the same scene that spawned gloriously murky and resonant bands like the Chameleons UK, the Church, and Echo and the Bunnymen. The melodies are moody, the guitars evocative, and the lyrics pleasingly plaintive. For that alone I’d recommend the band’s debut, Le Petit Morte, French for “the little death,” the Francs’ phrase for orgasm.
 
Not all the tunes are Brit-derived. “Cynics” sounds like the post-grunge of Greg Dulli’s Afghan Whigs, with R&B flavors in the rhythm section and some whammy-happy guitar work. The band’s absorbing moodiness also gives the record a kind of mysterious sheen that lends itself to repeated listens. The fact that the Cold War explores an atypical spectrum of influences gives it a fresh feeling, unfamiliar without seeming contrived. Singer-guitarists Miguel Sousa and Eric Smith, drummer Pete Lima, and bassist Kevin Bowden are experienced (with time in the L.U.V.s, Jagolinzer, and the Fantastics) and tight, but also crisp and exuberant, giving themselves enough leeway to sound like they’re still having fun.
 
Recorded at Machines with Magnets and released on the 75 Or Less label and digitally on Tim O’Keefe’s Cozy Music imprint, Le Petit Morte is smooth and precise, scripted but still potent, with colorful canvases of melody playing central roles in the sound, decorated by pretty arpeggios and some solid playing. Its seven songs, spread across 37 minutes, are beautifully recorded and mixed, and they serve as a great introduction to a band we hope will be entertaining area audiences for a long time.

The Cold War + Triangle Forest + Spanish Dancer + Badman | Aug 18 | AS220, 115 Empire St, Providence | $6 | 401.831.9327 | www.as220.org  | www.myspace.com/thecoldwararealive

Daughters update
Providence’s DAUGHTERS have been on the road almost constantly since releasing Hell Songs last year, which means a couple of things: they’re killing audiences with their so-called “five-piece musical fistfight,” and they’re giving Providence a really bad name (which is good). The Daughters have been sharing stages in the eastern states with Coalesce and will spazz out on audiences in Europe with the Fall of Troy. The latter trek will take them to England, Scotland, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. We do not know how audiences there will react to our own car-wreck curiosities, but we do know that they will leave a Daughters gig wrung out, with spiraling eyeballs and a nasty ringing in the ears. Yes, they are insane, but these days “insane” is de rigueur. Daughters is unhinged.

New fest in Providence
Eating, drinking, bartering for crafts, and beach volleyball are all part of SUMMERFEST PROVIDENCE, the newest member of the festival season in the Ocean State. It goes down in at Providence Piers and, yes, they’re shipping sand in for the volleyball. It all kicks off this Saturday at 11 am and runs through Sunday at 8 pm. It’ll feature a ton of fun for young and old, if you count bartering for crafts at the “wares” tent an elderly pursuit. (Kids will have their own “zone.”)
 
Music is the main attraciton on Summerfest’s center stage. The Fabulous Thunderbirds will headline on Saturday night, while former New Kid Jordan Knight tops the bill on Sunday. In between, you’ll get a good showing from the locals, including the Ravers and Santa Mamba on Saturday and Eratoxica and the nine-piece horn band Soulshot on Sunday. Also of note, Magnolia stumps for Cajun-zydeco fans and waltzers. Tickets are $10 and kids under 12 are free with an adult. Go to www.summerfestprovidence.com  for set times and additional info.

Wandering eye
Due to a booking gaffe, 75orLess is celebrating a triple CD release party of its own at the Penalty Box on the same night as the Cold War shindig. The label will showcase FRED ABONG (The Hand Trembler), Worcester’s KILLING PABLO (A Collection of Songs on Compact Disc), and SIX STAR GENERAL (Already On One); all three acts will perform and hawk their shiny discs. A PASSING FEELING is also on the bill. Call 401.331.8545.
 
MARK CUTLER will be bringing his hootenany to Eddie’s 529 in Warwick on Saturday. He’s also promising plenty of special guests for the party. Call 401.941.9423. The TIM TAYLOR BLUES BAND boasts TOM FERRARO and MARLIE WANSETH in the lineup for their weekend. On Friday, August 17, they’re playing Jamestown’s Narragansett Café. Call 401.423.2150. On Saturday they’ll hit Billy Goode’s in Newport (401.848.5013), and on Sunday they’ll play a benefit for the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, in memory of Jesse Lee Gardner-Skaggs. It’s at the German Club on Carter Avenue in Pawtucket. The show starts at 3 pm. Find further info at www.salsrbclub.com.
 
It’s not local, but still a cool show — CIRCUS DIABLO is comin’ to Rhode Island! The kinda-supergroup features Billy Morrison (vocals/Camp Freddy), Billy Duffy (guitars/the Cult), Ricky Warwick (guitar/the Almighty), Brett Scallions (bass/Fuel), Rob Patterson (guitar/Korn), and Charles Ruggiero (drums/Slunt). The band is touring in support of their self-titled debut album, which came out last month on Koch Records. Matt Sorum (drums/Velvet Revolver) played on the record, but isn’t with the Circus due to Velvet Revolver commitments. They’ll headline the Living Room on Friday. Also on Friday, SEXCOFFEE will be live at Bridge Street Station in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, with HAWKINS RISE and HELLO MAHALO. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the Ride FAR Campaign to support the cure for AIDS. Call 508.996.8749 or go to www.ridefar.org for the rest of the story.