Classic and Contemporary Rock

The Byrds, The Preflyte Sessions, Sundazed Records.

Just when I thought I had everything The Byrds ever recorded, here comes Sundazed Records with more unreleased stuff I must add to my collection. These dusty, old tracks, most of which have never seen the light of day, show The Byrds in their infancy, as they developed the electric 12-string folk/rock sound that would soon set the rock world humming with songs like “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’” and many others. The Byrds’ members all came from folk, country or bluegrass backgrounds and were just learning how to play rock, inspired by The Beatles. Highly recommended for Byrds fans far and wide. Sundazed Records are available at all better record stores.

And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Source Tags & Codes, Interscope Records.

These guys take the prize for longest band name in existence. They’re currently alternative rock press darlings for their raucous blend of punk and emo, mixed with incendiary live performances that usually climax with the band smashing their instruments. Let’s also mention that this group also promotes an image of disdain and scorn for the very same journalists who sing their praises to the heavens. It’s all a big hype, of course, but the music itself is raucous yet delicate, raw and fleeting, many times within the same tune. It takes a little warming up to, but Source Tags & Codes will grow on listeners with a liking for hard-edged rock.

Cigar Store Indians, Guest List, Overall Records.

These Georgia boys mix early rock ‘n rockabilly, country, Tex-Mex, spaghetti western chic and a little blues into a very listenable, uplifting style of their own. Recorded live before an adoring crowd of fans, the Cigar Store Indians have instrumental and vocal chops to spare, good songs and a likeable sense of humor to boot. www.cigarstoreindians.com.

Lemonpeeler, The First Time, Sissybar Records.

Boston’s Lemonpeeler plays rockin’ power pop with a highly developed melodic sense and just enough energy to keep things from becoming too sentimental. There’s a disquieting sense of melancholy that runs through the band’s material as well. The First Time is definitely worth hearing. lemonpeeler@aol.com.

Festival News: Michael Arnone’s 13th Annual Crawfish Fest will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2 at Waterloo Village Concert Field, Stanhope, New Jersey. Featured this year will be the music of Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, Sonny Landreth, The Radiators and John Mooney & Bluesiana. Headlining on Sunday is this writer’s favorite band, Little Feat. Besides great music, there will be more Cajun food than you have ever seen in your life.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate and are available by logging onto www.crawfishfest.com, or by calling Waterloo Village box office at 973/347-0900. Don’t miss these two days of spicy food and hot music. I’ll see you there.