Hot Administrators

Hotpipes and The Carter Administration are two of the club scene’s most beloved mainstays. The former sounds like XTC re-interpreted by the Walkmen, the latter a history lesson of American rock ‘n’ roll radio; both are top-shelf Nashville rock. If you were to fill a time capsule with local releases of the moment, Hotpipes’ Future Bolt would undoubtedly lead the pack. With call-to-arms anthems like the album’s title track and “The Future is Where We Belong,” the record plays like a statement of optimistic purpose. Doing it the old-fashioned way—with guitar, bass, drums, vocals and nothing else—The Carter Administration have a knack for catchy melodies, crunchy power chords, driving beats and all the other cheap tricks required for putting the power in pop. If you’ve managed to live here without hearing either of these bands, or if you just need a reminder of their prowess and relevance, the Mercy is where you belong.
Sat., Nov. 22, 9 p.m., 2008