"I don't see any over-arching value in dropping realy heady aphorisms in music and calling it a song." Brandon still names Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings as idols, but in the sense of people who wrote good "story-songs," not so much for being country music icons. "It's important to me that rock 'n' roll - at least the kind I want to make - stays kind of badass. Even when it's a love song, you should know it's a badass singng that." Which reminds us of Social Distortion ... maybe without the remorse. "Daddy wore black, daddy had guns, daddy run a Cadillac and daddy sold drugs," sings Brendan in "Daddy Wore Black" "Never no right, never no wrong, you can't judge." Guess what? Kid grows up, I think, to do the same thing. Hard-drinking nad hell-raising, these Architects are, giving us another reference point, ZZ Top. They're at T.T. the Bears (on at 10:30) Sunday May 25 with headliners  Bellrays, and supporters Balls, which features Heidi and Jeff of the Snowleopards and Maclaine from Bang Camaro. Starts at 9:30. Tickets: $10.

10 Brookline St., Cambridge, 617-492-0082 www.ttthebears.com