Tad, Helmet: Kennel Klub, San Francisco

HONESTLY, THEY looked like nerds up there. White boys not unlike those little Beasties in appearance, yet from their instruments came a hellishly heavy din. New York's Helmet aim to take a cricket bat to your kneecaps, and they do an admirable job. Sharp, crisp, yet slung low. Helmet's sound lubes up the neck vertebrae admirably. They have an album out on some small label, and I'm gonna look for it. So should you.