Also this issue: Mehta Physics Meet the man who’s turning the Kimmel into a world-music hot spot. -A.D. Amorosi Matter of Import The Brit in Big Sandy’s court. -Mary Armstrong Blistered in the Sun Unwrapping the Summer Tour Package. -Jesse Delaney The Kills -Sam Adams 4 Way Street -Nicole Pensiero Richard Thompson -Sam Adams Jamaican Dave's Birthday Bash -Ainé Ardon-Doley Tracy Chapman -M.J. Fine

July 17-23, 2003

musicpicks

The Sick Lipstick

Harsh and refreshing -- like newly lobbed spittle hitting you in the face on a scorching day -- that’s the Toronto quartet The Sick Lipstick. The band’s first full-length, Sting Sting Sting (Tiger Style), is the product of a band unafraid to make itself even dirtier. Allan Grahamâs guitars buzz like dot-matrix printers; the buzzing patterns thrown out sound identical, but the tiny differences result in a finished pattern thatâs anything but a straight line. In this bandâs case, what gets ripped from the printer looks a lot like the immediate aftermath of a demolition derby. Lindsey Gillard, with a screech that sounds fresh from a helium-and-pills bender set to the tune of Bratmobileâs back catalog, will be happy to squeal through her descriptions of the carnage for you.

Rock/pop

Wed., July 23, 7:30 p.m., $7, all ages, with An Albatross, Cobra High and Sérigraphie Populaire, First Unitarian Church, 22nd and Chestnut sts., 800-594-8499.

—Maura Johnston