Gig of the week

Ten years ago, Pavement changed the world - or mine at least - before they finally called it a day quietly last summer.

But rather than reminisce about the days of Slanted and Enchanted etc., thankfully the Pavement story is far from over, at least not in the mind of founder member Spiral Stairs aka Scott Kannberg.

Stairs' first post-Pavement project, the no-frills Preston School of Industry, play in Cardiff this week.

PSOI's debut album, All This Sounds Gas is classic Stairs songcrafting- think Pavement's "Two States" or "Kennel District" for evidence of Stair's genius.

None of this is lost on All This Sounds Gas, which is a classic meandering record, knocking on the doors of everyone from Lou Reed to the Fall.

This is the gig of the week for me by a mile, and PSOI are in Barfly on Tuesday.

And talking of Pavement, it is a convenient link to The Slackers, the New York ska seven piece, who play in TJ's on Thursday, in a Set it Off promotions night.

On Hellcat Records, The Slacker are all live horns, rolling organs, and soulful singing. Support comes from Lubbynugget, and Cardiff's Shootin' Goon.

Alabama 3 "put the mental in Elemental Records" is the embarrassing exclamation on the label's website - a classic case of desperately unnecessary PR spin.

They may not come from Alabama, (Brixton via Scotland and Wales!) and there are only two of them (officially), but they are one of the UK's most intriguing and entertaining live bands.

Joined at the hip by a mutual love of Hank Williams and acid house duo, Larry Love and the Very Reverend Dr D.Wayne Love even boast Michael Parkinson as a fan.

And they are breaking down barriers into the mainstream by using their song "Woke Up This Morning" on Channel 4s The Sopranos.

Alabama 3 play in Clwb Ifor Bach on Monday and Thursday.

And while they are in town, don't be surprised to see them turn up for the Peter Green gig over the Cardiff Coal Exchange on Wednesday night.

The legendary blues man is back on top with their Time Traders record, and the rumour is that there will be an exclusive Splinter Group recording on sale at the gig.

And if you cannot wait to see the Super Furry Animals in Cardiff a fortnight today, then it may be worth making the trip across the Bridge to catch them in Bristol tonight where they are playing at Colston Hall.