*HAT CITY BLUES BAND may have whooped it up at a private party at Candlewood Shores Beach last weekend but the good news is the guys are back at The One-Eyed Pig this weekend. The band will be at 71 Main Street South in Newtown on Friday, July 24, for a 9:30 show, and are also scheduled to be back over at the Ricky’s Shopping Center bar on Saturday, August 29.

*Also this week (unfortunate schedule conflict) THE DOUG WAHLBERG BAND will be at Molly Darcy’s in Danbury on Friday night. Showtime is 9:30.

*“Boardwalk,” the lead single from Sugar Ray’s Music For Cougars, released this week, represents the band’s debut for new label home Pulse/Universal/Fontana.

The southern California quintet is following this week’s release by continuing summer and fall tour lands this weekend in North Dakota (Dakota Magic Casino on July 24, for anyone keeping track) and goes on with a stop in Stamford in just a few weeks. The band will be at Columbus Park on Thursday, August 6. That’s a 5 pm show that’ll be part of the city’s Alive @ Five concert series (which will feature American Idol finalist BO BICE, with Charlie Nice and Mass Distraction, on July 30).

According information I’ve found online, you must be age 21 or older to get into the concert area after 6:30 pm, and photo ID is required. If you are under 21 and arrive before 6:30, you will be able to stay for the entire concert. I’m just the messenger. Go visit Stamford-downtown.com and then click on the blue Alive @ Five banner near the top of the page for all the details. Be sure to check on the list of things to leave home (coolers, glass containers, alcohol, dogs, etc – nothing out of the ordinary, but you don’t want to be surprised at the gate, right?)

Fastball, Aimee Allen and Super Satellite will be opening the Sugar Ray show.

*Waterbury native MICHAEL LOMBARDI is, like his character during the first few seasons of “Rescue Me,” looking into the best of two worlds. While Lombardi’s probie firefighter Mike Silletti had to work through finding himself in interesting situations with other men, Lombardi himself was doing a very good job balancing his acting and musical talents. Boss Denis Leary apparently likes Lombardi’s work with his band APACHE STONE so much that the band has a regular gig at the bar Mike Silletti (the character) is now managing (on the show). Follow?

Lombardi and his bandmates have been written into the show, and in upcoming weeks fans have two opportunities to see them live.

This Friday the guys will be at Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues in Hartford (a personal favorite!) and then on Saturday, August 2, they’ll be at Lakeview Tavern in Branford as part of The Red Knights of Connecticut 7th Annual Charity Ride, which in turn benefits The Connecticut Burns Foundation.

Tickets for the Hartford show, which starts after 9:30, are $12; call 860-278-7427 or visit BlackEyedSallys.com. Tucker Jameson & The Hot Mugs will be opening.

The Lakeview Tavern & Grille show will start around 8, and you can check the Red Knights website (RedKnightsCT4.com) for info in upcoming weeks, or call 203-996-5401. The other place to check back on in a few weeks is the tavern’s website (LakeviewTavern.com). The tavern is at 249 West Main Street; telephone 203-488-5553.

*ALICE COOPER will be at The Warner Theatre in Torrington on Sunday, September 27. Tickets are $38 to $58 and will be on sale Friday morning (July 24); visit WarnerTheatre.org or try the box office, 860-489-7180.

*Grammy Award winner ROB THOMAS will make his third visit to Mohegan Sun Arena later this year, when he brings the tour for his second solo album into Uncasville for a November 7 show. Special guests will be OneRepublic and Carolina Liar.

Tickets went on sale last weekend and are $46, available through TicketMaster and the casino’s box office.

Until next week I’ll be seeing you... on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141. Shows listed at clubs are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

UPCOMING SHOWS

JULY 24 — Green Day at the XL Center, Hartford; Apache Stone at Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues Café, Hartford, Tucker Jameson & The Hot Mugs opening; The Doug Wahlberg Band at Molly Darcy’s, Danbury; Bill Devlin & Friends at Mocha Coffee House, Sandy Hook; Aztec Two Step at Infinity Music Hall (**performing The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook); Hat City Blues Band at the One-Eyed Pig, Newtown;

July 24-26 — Gathering of the Vibes 2009 at Seaside Park, Bridgeport;

July 25 — Nickelback at The Comcast Theatre, Hinder, Saving Abel and Papa Roach opening; Mike Mcloughlin at Mocha Coffee House;

July 26 — Lita Ford at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

July 28 — Gin Blossoms at Infinity Music Hall;

July 29 — Hat City Blues Band at the One-Eyed Pig, Newtown; Tower of Power at Infinity Music Hall (two shows);

July 30 — Bo Bice at Columbus Park, Stamford, Charlie Nice and Mass Distraction opening (5 pm start);

July 31 — Jason Mraz at Mohegan Sun Arena, with G. Love & Special Sauce and K’naan with Bushwalla.