The Beatdown

Maybe. Still, it takes someone with a great set of ears to make that say possible. And according to Rubin, that someone is O'Connor: "Mike's been in radio for a long time, and he knows what he's doing."

Rubin makes it clear that adding "Don't Ask Me" to the rotation wasn't some errant glad-handing on 93.3's part. "We listen to local songs once a week, but Love.45 really nailed it," he says. "They had really good production. We're not just going to say, 'Hey, this sounds cool -- let's shove it in there 'cause we have nothing else.' We'll wait and wait until something works. I mean, this song came back aces."

While Radio 1190 is still my main source of ear candy, props to Channel 93.3 for giving the good people of Denver some local Love.

Upbeats and beatdowns: Relapse recording artists Cephalic Carnage, one of the country's premier heavy acts that just happens to hail from Cowtown, will be recording its first live-concert DVD and music video this Friday, January 23, at the Ogden Theatre. The all-ages event begins at 8 p.m. and will be free to everyone 21 and older. For the under-21 set, there's a $6 cover.

Then, on Saturday, January 24, worship the Sacred Cattle, New Ancient Astronauts, the Dinnermints, Tuff Cat, Scarlet Tied, the Pistils and Switchback 7 at the Aztlan Theater. That same night, Little Fyodor hits the Lion's Lair; Buddy Jewell and the Dalhart Imperials stop by the Gothic; Zeut, Panhandler Down and Swivel Hips Smith are at the Blue Mule; and Yo, Flaco! searches for the Optimal Frequency at Herman's.