Word has it that Live Nation is this close to buying the Paradise complex from the Lyons Group, and when it does so, the smaller PARADISE LOUNGE will be leased and transformed into an Irish bar. . . . MUCK AND THE MIRES, winners of Little Steven’s “Underground Battle of the Bands” contest, celebrate the release of their four-track 10-inch, Doreen (Dirty Water), at the Middle East upstairs April 18. Joining them, also with a new self-released CD, One Time, This Time, are TOPHEAVY. . . . DUNCAN WILDER JOHNSON unleashes his punk/metal band DESTRUCT-A-THON to celebrate their new EP, Aloha Jihad (Thrashachusetts), at the Middle East upstairs May 2. . . . Promoter Dan Millen has released his Rock and Blues Concert Cruise line-up for the summer. It starts with New Orleans R&B party faves the RADIATORS (June 4), takes in punk hellions DARKBUSTER (July 18), and winds down with a smashing double bill of the ELECTRIC SIX and TRAGEDY, the metal tribute to the Bee Gees (August 15).