BUG'S BUZZ BOX: MEAT BOX

Like any good butcher, you'll come across a variety of choice cut slabs of meat. That's kind of like the situation around these parts this week ... if meat were music. Kicking off with a nice shank cut we have Drawing Flies tonight at the Neurolux. What gives with this anyway? I didn't know that "loud and angry" bands could play at this venue. Maybe Neurolux got sick of letting Costume Jewelry rip-off bands playing every show, who knows? But they have a pretty good line-up for shows this month. Drawing Flies play Neurolux Wednesday, June 12 at 9 p.m. along with The Slats and Magnetics.

On Saturday, June 13, Wolves are playing at House of Rock. I know you have never heard of them. I tried like hell to get ahold of a demo by the Amherst, Mass. three-piece and I couldn't find one. Wolves feature ex-members of Orchid, which pretty much shred all across the meaty cutting board. Have you ever seen those skateboard videos were stunt-kids end up falling down and breaking bones and tearing muscles? Well that's kind of like what Orchid sounds like. Wolves hopefully will live up to their reputation. House of Rock Saturday, June 15, 7 p.m.

Another nice slice would be a gig over at JD and Friends on Sunday night. Lack (from Germany and by the way people ask all the time how these European bands get over here, it seems people need to familiarize themselves with a new invention called an airplane), will be grinding it up along with Forstella Ford, a band with a nice little flash Website at www.forstellaford.com <http://www.forstellaford.com/> where you can watch all kinds of videos and basically waste mounds of time. Forstella Ford is from Wisconsin and, like Lack, is a screamy bunch, cut straight from the slaughterhouse.

Avenue of the Strongest is from the City of Roses, you know Portland, where 90 percent of bands come from these days. This carcass of a show starts at 9 p.m.

Monday at The Balcony Club, they shut down the regular meat-grinding crowd and let some rock bands play. I've been asking for a schedule of shows down there, but have yet to see one appear. I can say that each and every Monday throughout the summer, two local bands play starting at 10 p.m. If you are in a band or just curious about the shows, drop by, as I'm sure there are fliers around.

Playlist of meat:

* Olive: Live at JD and Friends last Tuesday

* Entombed: Morning Star from Threeman Recordings

* The Get Up Kids: On a Wire from Vagrant Records