Sat. Feb. 23

It's Nick Lowe's (in photo) time once again. Nick - nicknamed "The Basher" because of his nature, as a producer, to bash things out - has made quite a career for himself. We saw him at the Somerville Theatre last fall, solo acoustic, and was very impressed at both his new, mature songs and the way he reworked his older material to fit a folk-pop-country format. Personable and witty as always - just white-haired and not ashamed to let that side show. But we're celebrating the early Nick Lowe right around now. On Feb. 19, Yep Rock released the deluxe CD version of Lowe's UK solo debut, called "The Jesus of Cool" (which a Brit music magazine tagged him; Lowe used it tongue-in-cheek) and (with a slightly different selection and order) "Pure Pop For Now People" in America. It was brilliant new wave: quirky, melodic, connected to the spirit of punk without being punk. (Lowe had been in the pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz prior to the punk days.) Lowe made a name for himself as a songwriter "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding," "So It Goes," "Cruel to be Kind," "I Knew the Bride." Lowe got somewhat more serious (and sober) over time, and now his metier is not young man's pop delights, but an older man's look at his life through a reflective critical lens. But in conjunction with the "Jesus" release, at least five cities around the country are planning  tributes this weekend where bands claiming Lowe as a primary source are playing Lowe songs (or entire sets). Here, Ed Valauskas the Q Division producer and label head who currently plays in the Gentlemen, has assembled mates from his band,Papas Fritas, The Upper Crust, The Rudds, the Click Five (and more tk) to play a show Saturday Feb. 23 at the Lizard Lounge.

1667 Massachusetts Ave.,617-547-0759 Cambridge www.lizardloungclub.com

We just saw the Click Five at Bill's Bar and they did a perfect, faithful version of "So It Goes." we were pleased to guitarist Joe Guese them what we knew of where Lowe got the title: from the late Kurt Vonneguts "Slaughterhouse Five." It was Billy Pilgrim's rejoinder to most anything. A "so it goes" with a shrug. Such is life. Move on. Lowe's song juxtaposes verses in various segments of the world like the record business and global politicals and comes back to the benign chorus of "So it goes/But where it's going know one knows." This Lizard show, called "The Lowest of the Lowe" and starting at 10 should be an absolute delight. It's preceded at 9 by a Wings tribute ("Wings Over Cambridge") featuring the Pills and followed at 11 by a Cheap Trick Tribute ("The Clock Strikes Ten") by the Rudds. For more on Nick and this event go to myspace.com/jesusofcoolresurrection. Tix to the Liz $10.