Cougars

Rock/pop

It seems the seeds The Jesus Lizard and Rocket from the Crypt planted in the minds of impressionable fans all those years ago are finally coming into full bloom. Cougars is a combustible stew of whirlwind energy, sweaty horn accents and new-wave keyboards that have all the stealth of a Sherman tank doing doughnuts in a mall parking lot. This Chicago octet is all about over-the-top, unsubtle, good old- fashioned rock. Bursts of bellowed vocals, blaring trumpets and manic live shows got them picked up by Go Kart records, which will be releasing the debut Nice, Nice this fall. Of course, you'll want to sample the goods before you buy; see if they don't get your rocks off Thursday.

Thu., Aug. 21, 9:30 p.m., $7, with Jai Alai Savant, Sovenskya and Young Vulgarians, Doc Watsonís, 216 S. 11th St., 215-922-3427.

—Paul Burress

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