GiftHorse races to the top with its single, "Heather's Arrest;" McGarrett's tries live music (again).

Rock

The critics are drooling over GiftHorse, a four-piece Los Angeles band that came out of nowhere with its 1999 indie debut album, Excess, Lies and Heather''s Arrest (on Pinch Hit Records). Their musical abilities were quickly compared to David Bowie, the Stones and the Beatles, but after listening to their tunes you quickly realize these influences are merely the base from which the band''s own individuality soars.

GiftHorse is more than "just another" rock ''n'' roll band with a strong bassline and lavish guitar work. Though the catchy loops and infectious melodies don''t hurt its appeal, the 10-track CD offers much more than that; no two songs are alike. Lead singer/guitarist Bret Levick believes that most of today''s music is purposely devoid of any message or depth due to a media overload that has shortened the listener''s attention span.

"We barely listen to the lyrics when we hear a song, and since the music business is 10 percent music and 90 percent business, it caters to that level," says Levick during our conversation. "I don''t think that I have a universal message that ties all of my lyrics together in a nice neat bundle. But each of my songs kind of holds the message of the moment. Most of them reflect human frailty and imperfections through my own."

Levick''s formula apparently works because the audience is beginning to listen. The band''s current hit, "Heather''s Arrest" (currently the No. 1 called-in request on KMBY) has Levick mourning the arrest of his crack-happy girlfriend, a sad portrait with an air of such dark humor but upbeat tone that you crack a smile and feel sympathetic instead of disgusted and depressed.

Most tracks are hard-driven, upbeat rock tunes with underlying influences of jazz or even punk, and perfectly executed rhythm changes. But the ninth track, titled "Dear No One," offers a glimpse at the band''s ability to slow down and bare its softer side without losing momentum. Levick, along with German-bred Sven Spieker (guitar/vocals) make up the strong core of the band, which was formed in 1996, when the two met through a mutual friend. Says Levick, "So far the partnership has really divided itself into equal measures. We both seem to pick up where the other one leaves off. I tend to space out and ignore what I don''t like until it goes away, Sven is the neurotic one. I use his problems to get lyric ideas."

"Everybody thinks that Bret is the mellow one, only I know what a mess he really is," counters Spieker. "I always thought that that''s where he got his lyrics from." GiftHorse became complete with the addition of drummer Chris Razze and bassist Berry Duane Oakley (son of the late Allman Brothers bassist).

"Someday, I''ll probably go up in a spontaneous blaze of dementia and glitter, hopefully it will be on stage," says Levick of himself. "Until then, I have to keep channeling Janis Joplin before I perform."

GiftHorse playing with Mind''s Eye and Owen No One, Wednesday, 8pm, Long Bar, 372-2244.

Starting off this year''s Halloween festivities with their very last "funk grooviest" performance are The Unknown Jeromes. Their resolution to take an "extended hiatus" was unexpected, according to frontman Jason Tobosa. "A few major things happened all at once in about a week''s time," he says, "and we had to make a decision fast." This is your last chance to throw down the low-down.

The Unknown Jeromes, Thursday, 9pm, Long Bar, 372-2244.

Club owner Brooke Lewis dropped a bombshell over the phone a few days ago. "I want to try something different," he said and asked if I remembered the heavy duty plastic curtains in the frozen food aisles at the supermarket, before there were glass doors. "I got some really long ones to hang between the main and the back bar at the club," he continued. "They''ll work as a sound barrier between the two bars without constricting the view."

That barrier may be especially necessary since Rayko is coming to the club on Saturday.

Before McGarrett''s was a DJ/dance joint (you remember, back when the club was The Club), some cool bands used to come through the doors. Since then, there have been a few attempts to bring in live music, but the attempts have all fizzled, for one reason or another, after short trial periods. And last year, when I talked to Lewis, he was dead-set against ever booking live bands again. So, when he announced that Rayko was coming to the club, it came as something of a shock.

But don''t start planning to see a lot of live music at McGarrett''s in the future. Lewis is careful to say that Saturday nights may or may not see live acts on a regular basis. "This is just a try-out," he says. "We''ll see how it works and take it from there."

Since the high-powered, fast-paced, punk rock sound of Rayko seems especially popular with a younger, dance-club crowd, Lewis'' plan will be interesting to watch unfold.

Rayko, Saturday, 10:30pm, $10, McGarrett''s, 646-9244.

There''s a confirmed rumor going around town about The Witch Project, possibly Monterey''s first rave, an underground dance party that could be called a modern-day discotheque-on-the-move, since you''ll never find one twice at the same place. Its basic characteristics are the fast pulsing beat of Techno and a state-of-the-art, completely computerized light show (intelligent light), the hottest of which is a laser called the G-Beam. Its sole purpose: Ecstasy for the senses. "Ravers" often appear in outlandish, extravagant costumes, which in turn will make Halloween the perfect night for you to slip into a different world, un-noticed. Dial 1-888-918-1777, for Sunday''s rave if you dare.

If you prefer a more traditional dance party, you should check out The Old School Band (TOSB), which will return to the Long Bar for another night of funk and disco. Last time this band came to town, the seats were empty and the dance floor packed. Most memorable about TOSB, aside from an excellent high-energy performance, is drummer Rhythmm Epkins and his huge silver drum set, which dominated stage front last time. It was his strong unwavering beat that drove the band''s sound to perfection.

TOSB, Sunday, 9pm, Long Bar, 372-2244.

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