Rock You like a Hurricane

Hideously Defleshed
Best Metal/Industrial
We're not sure if this metal band from Baytown got its name from trying to describe the effects of living too close to big industry, but the sextet can shred through its tunes faster than carcinogenic petrochemicals zip through your nostrils any day. The group soldiered on eventually after the tragic death in late 2000 of front man Danny (Defleshed) Ramirez, with new vocal ripper Andrew Perez adding more of a black metal influence to HD's death metal underpinnings. You won't be able to catch the band playing out much this summer now that it has turned its attention to production of a third CD, which is expected to carry on the tradition of its melodic/epic decimate-small-mammals-at-100-yards soundscape. -- G.B.
Barcode, 7 p.m.

Hollister Fracus
Best Metal/Industrial
Brutal lyrics and punishing rhythms imbue the original modern hard rock of these Northside noisemakers with up-and-comer status. New singer Jim Finley spits out brimstone and fire in songs about addiction, wasted relationships, suicide and even autoerotic asphyxiation (masturbation -- it can kill!). But don't get them confused with mope rockers liked Staind -- the Fracus boys also throw a rip-roaring, substance-snorting party more along the lines of Pantera or Stone Temple Pilots. HF appeals to stoners, headbangers, grease monkeys and mulletheads alike. -- B.R.
Barcode, 9 p.m.

Jay Hooks
Best Blues, Best Guitarist
He's a big draw on European stages, where his original, scorching Texas blues rock and covers of acts such as Albert Collins, Freddie King and Johnny Winter have garnered kudos. However, former teen prodigy Jay Hooks is still a bit underappreciated in his hometown. And though his vocal skills are limited and often unemotive, his six-string shredding has few peers -- Hooks treats the neck of his guitar like an extension of his own body. And like a forked lightning bolt, his solos often veer into interesting tributaries. His recent release, Red Line, has more ringing tones than a phone sex business, with a fine mixture of electric blues and white-boy boogie-rock. -- B.R.
Suede, 9 p.m.

The Hunger
Best Keyboardist (Thomas Wilson)
This has certainly been a year of transition for Houston music-scene vets the Hunger, who have a slew of dusty Press Music Award trophies on display at their studio. The band has some great new material to shop around, but has parted ways with longtime drummer Max Schuldberg. The band's hard-core fans still swear allegiance to the group's distinctive sound, though -- and just when it seemed that keyboards weren't cool anymore, along came a band like Hot Hot Heat to remind us all that the Hunger had already aced that sound before it became a trend. -- G.B.
Verizon Wireless Theater, 9 p.m.

Davin James
Best Guitarist
Imagine George Jones harnessed to a country boogie band like Hank Jr.'s and you're in the heart of Davin James country. Not only can James growl and moan like the Possum, he can seriously shred his Les Paul when he feels rowdy. James, whose "Magnolia" was 2002 Song of the Year, swaps songs with the state's top Texicana musical poets at his regular Wednesday-night acoustic gig in Old Town Spring. He has a new album recorded and several Nashville showcases lined up where label execs will have a shot at signing one of Houston's most legit triple-threat country talents. -- W.M.S.
Mercury Room, 8 p.m.

Jimmy's Pawn Shop
Best Drummer (Leesa Harrington-Squyres)
There's kind of a shortage of plain ol' ass-kicking rock bands. The kind that might be more than a little offended by the term "garage." The kind whose expertise and style fall more in line with the Faces' and the Stones'. Jimmy's Pawn Shop fits that description. The band plays straightforward guitar-rock and is known for venturing into long jams through which bassist-keyboardist Jimmy Dundon, guitarist Eric Dane and drummer Leesa Harrington-Squyres execute textbook blues-infused rock and roll. Dane (who also doubles as a guitarist for Greg Wood) still sports his trademark shag haircut with qualified pride. He had one way before those guys in the John Sparrow. -- T.S.
M Bar, 7 p.m.

The John Sparrow
Best Indie Rock
They may describe their sound as "Southern soul meets AC/DC," but that could be just another way to say "maximum R&B." At any rate, the John Sparrow is Houston's prime purveyor of Who-infused, Paul Weller-style mod rock. Guitarist Trey Barnette and singer-guitarist Kevin Richardson front the bass of Steve Longoria and Michael DeLeon's Keith Moon-style drums in this fairly new Houston quartet. The band recently signed with L.A. label Bomp!, with whom they will soon release an album produced by the Brian Jonestown Massacre's Anton Alfred Newcombe. Johnny-come-latelies to their shag haircuts or no (see above), the John Sparrow has just about as good a chance as any local band to break out in 2004. -- J.N.L.
St. Pete's Dancing Marlin, 7 p.m.