You regulars know I was a huge fan of Knoxville, Tennessee's The V-Roys. A highly regarded rock and roll band that played two mind blowing shows at the old Island Rock Cafe on St. Simons before they amicably parted ways after a Dec. 31, 2000 farewell show at the Tennessee Theater.

After the band's demise, V-Roys drummer Jeff Bills and guitarist/singer/songwriter Mic Harrison formed Lynn Point Records and began releasing CD's by up and coming Knoxville bands like the ones you're about to read about, as well as some of their own earlier recordings like Mic's 1993, pre-V-Roys debut Don't Bail.

Here's a couple Jeff has sent me in recent months.

The High Score - Sexy Losers

(Lynn Point Records - 2003)

Due out next January 14 Sexy Losers by Knoxville's The High Score is a slammin' and jammin' duel guitar driven, high energy affair powered by pickers Chris Cook and Robbie Trosper.

Bassist Dave Walker and drummer Jason Peters fill out the sound with a painfully tight, jet fueled rhythm section.

Some of you, who really pay attention to these words, may be familiar with Peters and Trosper. Both were members of Mic Harrison's first post-V-Roys band The Faults, who released a fine self-titled CD a few years ago. Although, Cook replaced original Faults drummer Jeff Bills.

Sexy Losers is strictly for the young at heart. This is The Clash meets Cheap Trick. Not exactly head-banger material, but definitely edgy, gutty rock and roll.

The playing on Sexy Losers is world class and the songwriting is exemplary.

Highlight tracks include, "Blown Out Radio," "Call It Vicious," "Motley Who," "Songs To Break Up to '95" and my personal favorite, "Let The Stupidness Begin."

The High Score also cranks out a truly wicked version of "Mohawks and Birkenstocks'," which, if memory serves, and these days it doesn't always, is an old V-Roys punk tune.

The Westside Daredevils - All Things Small Produce a Spark

(Lynn Point Records - 2002)

Another Knoxville band, this CD was released earlier this year on Lynn Point Records.

More good ole guitar rock and roll, The Westside Daredevils owe more to the pop culture of Buddy Holly and '60's British rave bands.

I don't particularly like pop music. Think about what it's name is short for...popular music. Music for people who like music but don't love it. These days the pop music name mainly makes me think of boy bands, Brittany Spears and singers with one name like Madonna.

But, in the case of The Westside Daredevils it's a completely different thing.

This triple guitar quartet evokes the spirit of the glory days of pop bands, harmonizing more like The Beatles than N'Sync. This is pop rock for the grown-ups.

But these guys aren't all hearts and flowers mind you. The nasty guitar funk of "Camera Religion" is more reminiscent of The Kinks than their laid back Brit brothers.

Like their label mates, The High Score, The Westside Daredevils are excellent musicians and talented songwriters. This is great, good time music custom made for your next low country boil or your annual Christmas block party or for that cold weather escaping road trip to the Keys.

Buy them both from lynnpoint.com.