A New Rave?

A dozen years ago, L.A. was rocking out, and one of the hottest groups was the Rave-Ups, a country-flavored rock band whose small-label debut album, “Town + Country,” made all the year-end lists. Then the band got a big-label deal with Epic--and went away. Now Mr. Rave-Up himself, singer-songwriter Jimmer Podrasky, is back with a new band, the Lovin’ Miserys, and a new album, “Happy as Hell.”

In a truly inspired double bill, the Lovin’ Miserys will open for the Uninvited, those wise-guy pop rockers and super singers, Friday night at Nicholby’s in Ventura. For seven bucks this is a great deal.

Podrasky, who is originally from Pittsburgh, is a cynical veteran of the L.A. music scene. He happily chatted about things during a recent phoner.

*

So, Jimmer, what’s the story on the Lovin’ Miserys?

Well this band has been around for about a year now, and we made the CD about a year ago. On the album, it’s just me and Harry Rushakoff, who used to be the drummer for Concrete Blonde. The album was released to radio only, and it’s not in stores.

What happened to the Rave-Ups?

I left the band in 1991 or so, after we did a high school prom scene for “90210,” which was kind of the kiss of death for me.

Does the current band do any Rave-Ups songs?

I think the Rave-Ups were a great band, but this band doesn’t do any Rave-Ups songs even though they were my songs. I have a real fondness for a lot of those songs, but I also have respect for the guys that did them with me.

So where have you been the last few years?

I took a long time off to be a dad. I’m a single dad, so that makes it all the more intense. I figured I’d never have these years back with my son, Chance.

How’s the L.A. music scene these days?

There’s not really a music scene in L.A. even though there’s a lot of clubs--and we’ve played all of them. The people are jaded. They don’t go to hear the music--they go to hang out and be seen. That’s why it’s such a blast when we play away from L.A. because people actually come to hear the music, and that’s why we do this.

*

A few blocks away from Nicholby’s at the Ventura Theatre, the pointy-shoe crowd can click their heels together three times and shout “Wahoo!” because country legend Merle Haggard and his band the Strangers will be playing Friday night. Opening will be the band with those memorable five-part harmonies, Caught Red Handed.

Much like another local “red” band, Raging Arb & the Redheads, Caught Red Handed has been around for a long, long time.

“Well, we’re still doing it--we’ve been chuggin’ away since 1987,” said singer and drummer Jon Cowsill. “We’re the local country band that’s been around the longest.”

At $32.50, this show is no cheap date, but Merle Haggard is no average country artist, either.

“Merle Haggard is the biggest artist we’ve ever opened up for--he’s definitely a legend. We’re all really excited about this one.”

The Ventura Theatre is at 26 Chestnut St. Caught Red Handed will open the festivities at 8 p.m. Call 648-1888 to find out more.

*

The best reason to head north this weekend is for a show by the Queers, New Hampshire’s best band. They’ll play Sunday at Emerald City in Santa Barbara. The group has a zillion releases, including the latest, “Don’t Back Down,” named for an early Beach Boys song.

The band does great covers, plus lots of psycho two-minute punk songs. Front man Joe King summed it up succinctly, “I could never understand why people can’t love Black Flag, and the Beach Boys and Lesley Gore.”

Also on the bill are Beaker, Screw 32 and the Groovie Ghoulies. The venue is at 110 Santa Barbara St. (805) 965-5050.