AUGUST 26

If amateurism is the wrong route to transcendence, tell it to the Cold Cold Hearts. This second-generation riot-grrrl (or whatever) band isn’t PiL to Bratmobile’s Sex Pistols; the Hearts are just as raw and unseasoned as the bands that reinvented the Slits and the Raincoats as American teenagers four years ago. Next to the rough but wily Sleater-Kinney, with whom they played at the Cat in April, the Hearts were all high spirits and jostling noise, which was actually just fine. One innovation: a bass player. The Hearts perform with headliners the All Scars and L.A. or Bust at 9:15 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1831 14th St. NW. $3. (202) 667-7960. (Mark Jenkins)