Friday is shaping up right nicely for those of us who frequent H-Town's lower dens.

The biggest news is that the Paul Collins Beat is at Walter's as the centerpiece of a record fair sponsored by Sound Exchange. Collins first touched the hem of fame as drummer for the legendary Los Angeles power pop band the Nerves. Featuring Peter Case and Jack Lee, the power trio took L.A. by storm.

Their searing live shows apart, the Nerves are probably best known for Blondie's smash hit cover of the Jack Lee tune "Hanging on the Telephone." After Lee left the band, Case and Collins worked with a changing cast of musicians and recorded together as the Breakaways. Their best known song was "Walking Out On Love," which the Nerves had been playing live but never recorded.

Collins eventually went on to for the Paul Collins Band, which worked an alternative-country vein, and his current rock ensemble, the Beat (renamed the Paul Collins Beat after a lawsuit in the early 80s). Paul Collins Beat were influential in the growing indie rock genre by the mid-80s and are cited as influences by a number of younger bands.

The Paul Collins Beat released Feel the Noise in 2014 to solid reviews. It features the power pop gem "I Need My Rock N' Roll," which could be a track on any Nerves/Plimsouls album.

But Collins isn't the only attraction at Walters tonight. Sound Exchange has put together a record fair which will begin at happy hour (6 p.m.), with booths featuring collections from some of the top record stores in the country selling vinyl all night. The evening will also feature power-pop DJ sets by DJs Miscue (Mutant Hardcore Flower Hour) and Black Slacks.

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