Also this issue: Acid Reigns British DJ legend Gilles Peterson loves Philly back. -Sean O’Neal Riot Going On The latest Red Hot disc has hip-hop and soul's current whiz kids taking on Kuti classics. -A.D. Amorosi Teddy Pendergrass -A.D. Amorosi Titan of 'Clash Punk, trash, electroclash, it’s still rock ’n’ roll to Tee. -A.D. Amorosi Eternity Dave Vanian's gonna smash it up till there's nothing left. -Helen H. Thompson thesuitespot -Peter Burwasser on Classical Is This Still It? -Sam Adams Beenie Man -Ainé Ardron-Doley

October 10-16, 2002

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J. Mascis and Doug Martsch

These singing, guitar-playing solo artists have more in common than membership in two of the best pre-emo indie rock bands of the '90s. They've also got an oddly vocal and visible following of frat boys who come to all their shows. It's anomalous for such underground non-pricks. How did this happen? Maybe it was their uncomfortable appearances on Lollapalooza rosters (Mascis' Dinosaur Jr. in '94, Martsch and Built to Spill on the sidestage in '95). Anyway, it's just an observation, something to look for when both make their way to The North Star in the next few days. No, they're not on the same bill. Mascis (below) comes first on Friday, sporting sweet, screechy guitar licks and that gravelly vocal style. It sounds like his old band because he was his old band. Martsch arrives on Wednesday, playing distinctly non-BTS acoustic and slide guitar stuff. His new solo disc, Now You Know, is slower, sparser and more contemplative than what we're used to from Martsch. It should work like a crucifix on those drunken assholes.

J. Mascis, Fri., Oct. 11, 10 p.m., $15, with Lo-Hi and Cobra Verde. Doug Martsch, Wed., Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m., $15, with Mike Johnson and Ian Waters, The North Star, 27th and Poplar sts., 215-684-0808.

—Patrick Rapa