Okay, let's get this out of the way. I was secretly...well, until now...addicted to the show Rock of Love. Not that I thought there was anything even remotely real or sincere about it (were there any women on there who weren't actresses or strippers?), but there was something fascinating about watching dolled-up, attention-hungry chicks scrap with each other in an effort to win their chance in the limelight...I mean, their chance at love with Bret Michaels.

Truth be told, Michaels came across on the show as a surprisingly low-key, down-to-earth guy. I actually tried to get an interview with him for the Sun, but unfortunately, I never heard back from his management. Michaels will be at the Hampton Beach Casino this Friday night, although it's actually sold out if you're interested in hearing "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" - and, er, any other minor hits Poison may have had. I can't seem to remember any.

The show is this Friday night, May 2, at 8 p.m., with opening act Jaded. Tix are $30.00, if you can find them.

I used to think Big Band music was for old people. Maybe that's because it reached its apex around 30 years before I was born. But in the last few years - not ironically, in the years since I met my wife - I've come to appreciate it and even manage to slip some Golden Era hidden gems into my indie rock mix discs...with mixed acceptance.

For those who still get giddy at songs like "In the Mood" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo," head on over to Indian Hill Music in Littleton this Sunday afternoon, May 4, at 3 p.m. Maestro Hangen and The Indian Hill Orchestra will be breaking out 20s and 30s classics from the fabulous Paul Whiteman era.

Included in the program will be Gershwin’s Blue Monday, along with many Whiteman favorites like Whispering, Dardanella, You’re The Top, It’s Only a Paper Moon, and The Whiteman Stomp. Plus, special guest vocalists Jean Danton and Mari Funaro will offer a salute to popular Whiteman songstress Peggy Healy.

The fun all happens at Nashoba Valley Tech Performing Arts Center, 100 Littleton Road (Rte. 110) in Westford, MA. Tix are $46, $33, and $20. Call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org for more info.

Folks, the idea of the music video ain't dead yet. In fact, the uber-hip dudes over at Pitchfork are ready to rescue things with a web site that may change the way you think about Music Television. I've been a diehard fan of Pitchfork for almost ten years, and they've steadily grown in stature and quality over the years. But this site is something new entirely. It really shows what the web is capable of. With categories like "Shows," "Pitchfork Live," "One Week Only" (full-length film streams available for one week), and "Music Video," it covers the full gamut of educational and aesthetic eye candy.

Best of all, the player is crystal clear, the navigation is simple and user-friendly, and...at this point, at least...the amount of content is entirely manageable. If you still appreciate quality visuals with your indie rock, then you probably already know about this site. If not, get over there...like, now.

http://pitchfork.tv

Jimmy Eat World play the Tsongas Arena in Lowell on Wednesday, April 30. I first saw Jimmy Eat World ten years ago at a tiny club in Memphis called Barrister's. They were opening for one of my favorite emo bands at the time, Jejune, and their energy really caught me offguard. A year later, they released Clarity, a disc that would stay in my CD player for the next six months. I may not have the same level of passion for Jimmy Eat World today that I did in 1999, but their ability to write a killer hook and a great pop song is still undeniable. For last week's Lowell Sun Nightlife article, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jimmy Eat World drummer Zach Lind.