Scary Kids Scaring Kids at Rocketown

Given the ratio of screamo/emo/metalcore acts to good ones--and the inherent limits of ass-sniffing new ideas off your scene-mates--it's impressive to find three talented acts on the same bill. Finch is the most melodic: they favor muscular punk-pop, driven by taut post-punk rhythms and singer Nate Barcalow, who bellows more than screams, but mostly employs a stereotypical emo croon. Orlando's From First to Last overcame the departure of singer Sonny Moore and label troubles for their third, self-titled release. It's a sneering, steely shot to the solar plexus--the twin guitars ring and rage in circling plumes, pouring modern rock texture into churning hardcore rhythms. Arizona headliners Scary Kids Scaring Kids are the newest and more promising act, thanks to their rambunctious live performances. Last year's self-titled second album slowed the tempos, enriching the arrangements with billowy synth washes and glimmering guitar arpeggios to back Tyler Stevens' soaring vocals.
Wed., Sept. 10, 6 p.m., 2008