Smoke & Mirrors [CD]

Formed in 2003 by lead guitarist JJ Rasler (founding member of influential Boston bands DMZ and The Queers) and singer/rhythm guitarist Jen D'Angora (ex-The Dents). The Downbeat 5 draws on British Invasion bands like the Yardbirds and Animals, spikes the brew with the toughest female vocals this side of a woman's prison riot and tops it all off with decades worth of aggression, attitude and volume. The band pulls out all the stops for their first live CD, Smoke & Mirrors. The result is 12 adrenaline-fueled shots of pure, real, raw rock and roll that grab you by the ears and cut straight to the bone.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Rock