Let us begin by addressing a question concerning this new model Pop Rocks. During the inaugural broadcast of their Internet talk show Confederation of Loudness , Brian Allen (aka Stak of Confederation of Noisemakers, sinister rail.blogspot.com) and John "Stoney" Cannon, of Lokal Loudness (www.lokal loudness.org), spent some time discussing this column. They were enormously supportive of focusing on local music and gave my ego some stroking, which was not at all needed but still appreciated. They did, however, raise the question as to whether my mix-tape approach was completely original.

No, it isn't.

Mr. Allen compared it to several local columns and blogs, including his own, and he is correct. My model, however, was not his work (which I admire) nor was it Coco Rubio's or Ed Turner's columns in the Metro Spirit . No, my inspiration was perhaps the oldest and most established form known to man.

The list.

I love lists. I love making lists. I love reading lists. I love debating what should and should not be included on a list. Lists are enticing, inviting and make grocery shopping so much easier. A list is what I envision this as being -- a sampling of items and ideas that have caught my eye over the week.

YOU'RE ON THE AIR, OR NET, OR SOMETHING: Speaking of Confederation of Loudness , let me offer my praise and criticism to the Stak 'n' Stoney dream team. I love this idea. I love two local musicians talking about local music. I hope it catches on and I hope people listen and call in. My one suggestion would be that although the natural give and take of a conversation is the attraction of the show, it could sound a little more polished. That's right, I'm calling you out on the "ums."

I'm also curious about the length and wonder whether compressing to an hour might serve the shows better. Internet audiences are fickle, and asking for attention for that long is tough unless alcohol or adult entertainment is offered. Still, I urge all to tune in. It's high, if sometimes R-rated, entertainment.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: Congratulations to Nick Laws, the owner, proprietor and most exalted potentate at Sector 7G. Mr. Laws was married Sunday. Newlyweds are often offered the unsolicited and seriously clichÃd warning that a good marriage takes work. Bah. Surviving a hundred kids in a confined space hopped up on sugary drinks and punk rock takes work. Compared to his duties at 7G, marriage should be cake for the Lawses.

ROCK ON THE HORIZON? Two shows have popped up on the radar. The four-band bill of Saving Able, Shinedown, Buckcherry and Avenged Sevenfold seems to have been booked for Nov. 30 at James Brown Arena. The concert is part of radio station WCHZ (95.1) 10th anniversary events, which also include a Nov. 9 appearance by comic Frank Caliendo.

A little more shaky are the rumors of a show at Lake Olmstead Stadium, perhaps in benefit of the Joseph M. Still Burn Center. There are a lot of rumors floating around, the most notable being that 1980s act Skid Row might headline and that local acts Edison Project and Electric Voodoo would support. Edison Project manager Joe Stevenson said that he had heard the same thing but that the booking came as news to him.

Curious.