Verbena is a Southern band that has discovered the point where X, Kiss, Fleetwood Mac, Short Dogs Grow, and the Stooges converge. The Birmingham, Ala., quartet’s debut LP, Souls for Sale, stands out now that grungier Stooges-influenced rock has largely disappeared from the new-release schedules on labels such as Sub-Pop (which used to stock it through the warehouse roof). The secret legions of scraggly MC5 devotees who first turned on to Nirvana’s legendary rendition of “Love Buzz” and Monster Magnet’s dope early singles will flip for the V-band. Verbena might have only merited a single-of-the-month back in ’90, but these days the band’s ragged harmonies and thick Flying-V blasts are magnificently potent. Jesus Lizardy locals the Ruby Dare and Deus open at 9:30 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1831 14th St. NW. $6. (202) 667-7960. (John Dugan)