MATT DRISCOLL: A BLAST OF GLAM PUNK >>>

Created by singer and guitarist Steve E Nix and bassist Steve Kicks â€" who both became local power pop semi celebrities in the Briefs â€" the Cute Lepers seem to have picked up exactly where the Briefs’ hiatus left off. Powered by very similar new wave, glam punk combustion engines, both the Briefs and Cute Lepers appeal to the same demographic, and the longer the Briefs stay on hiatus and the Cute Lepers keep picking up steam the less likely a Briefs return seems.

At least to me. I’m a skeptic.

For the record, I’d be fine either way. The Briefs were fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but the appeal of the Cute Lepers is obvious to anyone paying attention. Pop rock, glitz, and a few radio friendly bells and whistles â€" the Cute Lepers will bring all that and more to Hell’s Kitchen tonight.

[Hell’s Kitchen, The Cute lepers, The Power Chords, Avenue Rose, The Freakouts, Friday, Aug. 1, 6 p.m., all ages, $8-$10, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]