When Kerosene 454 comes on stage tonight, close your eyes. Imagine you’re waiting for the bus—in the street. Cars are whizzing by. You can feel it coming. A huge machine is barreling toward you, and it’s not slowing down, not for you and not for the people back on the sidewalk. Then it hits. Another follows it. And another. They keep coming, bus after bus. You love it. A lot of bands boast of being “up-to-11” loud, but unlike those heavy-metal lunkheads, K454 doesn’t go for any big-stage, chugga-chugga-headbang, guitar-wankin’ crap. Kerosene 454 is loud as hell, but still has a sharp melodic edge. Don’t forget your earplugs. With Blue Tip and Boys’ Life at 9:30 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1831 14th St. NW. $5. (202) 667-7960. (Mark Murrmann)