The Beatdown

Will faithful Five Iron fans transfer their devotion to Roper? The act's gotten off to a good start, with a tour that kicked off September 11 and will continue for a month after its Sunday, October 31, date in Denver at the Rock House (6560 South Broadway), with View From Here and Yellow Second, an outfit featuring Roper's former Five Iron bandmates Scott Kerr and Andrew Verdecchio. The show here sounds like a don't-miss. Unless, that is, you have something better to do that day. The self-deprecating Roper would understand.

Upbeats and beatdowns: Props to Karen Cuda, who handles the low end of Hemi Cuda, for being tapped as the new bassist for Nashville Pussy. Don't fret, Cuda fans: The band promises that there's plenty of Karen to go around. In fact, Hemi Cuda is in the midst of writing and recording its new album, due after the first of the year, with producer Jason Hollis.

On Thursday, October 21, Vaux headlines a bill at Rock Island that includes Codeseven and Before Today. On Friday, October 22, Black Lamb will help the Platte River Killers celebrate the release of their new disc at the Hard Rock Cafe. And finally, just in case not enough folks have urged you to vote, Chronophonic appears at Sideline Pub on Wednesday, October 27, for an event dubbed "Get Loud. Go Vote!"