Lineup: Joseph Brinkley, Charles Garland, Clayton Hinson and Mark Turiano. Former members of: Brgr Trsh, Victor Charlie and The Waz. Influences: Smashing Pumpkins, Pantera. 

Having only heard three Solar songs so far, I don't detect the Smashing Pumpkins influence, but Pantera is a lot closer. Brinkley's guttural vocals roar over straightahead, no-frills, heavy-metal riffs. Heavy, crunching rhythms punctuate the bass lines while a lead guitar wails as the only melodic element in the songs' aggressive delivery. Solar originally came together last summer and just performed its first show with the current lineup on Feb. 11 at the 40 Watt Club, opening for legendary Athens punk band The Plague. Bassist Clayton Hinson is the newest addition to Solar, joining the band just last month. Feel the Solar burn at www.myspace.com/solar2008.

Next show: Wednesday, Apr. 1 at Caledonia Lounge