Hard Rock

Where you’ll find the blaring boys of summer (performances listed in chronological order).

* Mike Ness at the House of Blues, Friday and Saturday. The ‘60s cats have Bob Dylan, we’ve got Mike Ness, the finest singer-songwriter of the punk generation. 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-5100. Friday, all ages; Saturday, 21 and over. $20.

* Make-Up presents Torment and the Gutter Gangsters at the El Rey, Friday. Rhinestones, glitter, headdresses and codpieces--just a few of the accessories sported by this fierce glam rock cover band, which isn’t aiming for novelty status but for global domination (show starts at midnight). 5515 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., (323) 769-5500 or (323) 936-6400. 21 and over, $10 (before 11 p.m.); $15 (after 11 p.m.).

* Pretty Ugly presents the Newlydeads at Dragonfly, Wednesday. Faster Pussycat frontman and Pretty Ugly club promoter, Taime Down has a hot new band, the Newlydeads, whose monthly shows here cause quite a stir. 6510 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 466-6111. 21 and over, $8 cover.

* Face to Face at the Palace (with Jimmy Eat World and No Motiv), Aug. 13 and 14. We’re not remotely surprised Face to Face is headlining the Palace two nights. The tight, talented Victorville punk band has been at the head of its class for five years. 1735 N. Vine St., Hollywood, (323) 462-3000. All ages. $12.

* Watcha Tour at the Greek Theatre, Aug. 15. With all the fogie snore-fests filling out the Greek (we’re exempting Sugar Ray’s recent wunderbar performance), the Watcha Tour should cause tremors in the neighboring hills. A passionate lineup of rock en espan~ol, metal, funk and punk acts, highlighted by Mexico’s O.G. band, Cafe Tacuba; young East Los Angeles; up-and-comers Union 13 and lots of others. 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. $25-$45.

* The Cult at the House of Blues, Aug. 19 to 23. Back with a vengeance, the Cult and its music still pack enough heat to make listeners feel young and sexy again. 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-5100. Aug. 19 to 23, all ages; other shows, 21 and over. $30.

* Unsane, Bluebird, Goatsnake and Lost Goat at the Troubadour, Aug. 21. Just in case you didn’t know, L.A. has some hot young rock ‘n’ roll bands, with Bluebird and Goatsnake two of its finest (here, they’re opening for New York’s Unsane). 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 276-6168. All ages, $9 cover.