People around town still talk about seeing U2 at The Palms. And while we won't compare the Pennsylvania quartet Laguardia to the aforementioned one from Dublin, we will remind you that small local clubs like the Cactus Club often host bands on the rise and you'd do well to keep an eye on their schedules.

One such band, Laguardia, visits Bay View this week while touring in support of its debut disc, "Welcome to the Middle," released by Universal and produced by Brad Wood, who has worked with Liz Phair, Tortoise and Sunny Day Real Estate, to name but a few.

With Wood at the controls, the result is a smart, airy disc, but both band and producer made an effort to bring a spark to the 10-track record and they've succeeded.

"We made such an effort to bring the live show to tape," said singer Joshua Ostrander. "We tried so hard to not overproduce the sounds. We didn't want to use four guitar tracks or five keyboard tracks when one or two would do. And I wanted my vocals to be totally dry and singular."

Harmonies swirl and keyboards provide depth, but a stomping rhythm section and an atmospheric mix bring to life tracks like the poppy "Bull Ride" and the Radiohead-ish "Roseanna."

Laguardia plays Thurs., Feb. 12 at the Cactus Club on Russell (2496 S. Wentworth Ave.). Denali, Klipspringer and Pinebender also perform at the 9 p.m. show.

Loud rock bands like Poison the Well nowadays can be dubbed either emo or metal, but we prefer "screamo," to describe this Florida quintet, which was called one of the 25 metal bands to watch (by Spin magazine), one of the 25 greatest live bands ever (by Revolver magazine). The same folks at Revolver also called the band's third album, "You Come Before You" (Atlantic Records), recorded in a small Swedish town, the 19th best album of the year, thanks not only to it's full-on aural assault but also because it bares some of Poison the Well's diverse influences. One member cites his two major musical loves as The Smiths and Slayer. Poison the Well join The Bled, Murder by Death and The Kinison for a Friday the 13th show at The Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Two days later, you can catch the return of Chicago industrial rockers Kill Hannah at the same venue with Sweden's The Sounds and IMA Robot. Showtime is 7 p.m. and tickets are $12.

Catch newly-signed Fall Out Boy when they play at The Rave, Wed., Feb. 18 with Mest, Matchbook Romance and Madcap. The Chicago-based band recently inked a deal with Island Records and Alternative Press calls them one of the bands you need to know for 2004. The metal band is preparing to record its first disc for Island, but is still hoping you'll check out last year's "Take This to Your Grave."

Trade screaming amps for pressed pants and pompadours at Vnuk's in Cudahy (5036 S. Packard Ave.) on Sat., Feb. 21 when Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys roll back into Milwaukee. The popular purveyors of western swing are still hyping last year's "It's Time," released on Yep Roc Records. Showtime is 8:30 p.m., Milwaukee's Uptown Savages open and admission is $10.