Play stump the band with The Hi-Risers and you will surely lose. The trio warmed up the crowd at Highland Bowl Friday night before a special 35 mm print screening of "American Graffiti." The band dug deep into the movie's soundtrack, poured in some originals, and sh-sh-shook it. With some barbeque and some chocolate-covered pretzels, me and the missus dug the whole affair while luxuriating on lawn chairs and donating about half a pint of blood each to the Save A Mosquito Foundation.

Apparently I've seen Babayaga before, and according to the band I even wrote something. Regardless, it felt like a first time, as this band really got me fired up. It was heavy with an amazing groove. Totally undeniable riffs and a somewhat stoner dirge, this band reminded me of old Sabbath. Head Grinder guitarist Todd Dentico held the bottom end playing his storied bass (previously brandished in Uncle Sam and Catfight) more riff-wise like a guitar player than rhythm-wise as a drummer might, and consequently gave the band a more melodic push from an instrument that is generally reserved for strictly shaking walls. This band is solid and savage and cool. The Isotopes followed with their surf scientist front and played amazingly tight amidst the fog. If I could move my right hand as fast as lead guitarist Handsome B. Wonderful I'd never leave the house. As always, the band was a ton of fun, and of course the go-go girls didn't hurt.

But Chylde did...in a good way. Holy shit. There's a pocket of this heavy blues-based psychedelic rock coming from younger and younger bands in this region, like The Apostles Of The Hidden Son, St. Phillip's Escalator, U.S. Kings, Handsome Jack, and now Chylde. It's awesome. Chylde plays heavy and loud with a touch of apocalyptic doom and Amboy bravado. It was the full-blown mating ritual rock 'n' roll used to be. Loud tandem guitars and a savage beat - the kind of stuff that makes you wanna punch the sky and break shit. What else is there?