It really was a shame when the local band Orangutang broke up. Their promising debut CD came out on a label that just didn't have its shit together. But blessings often come in disguises, and this one goes by the name of Trona, a foursome formed by Orangutang singer/guitarist Chris Dyas with ex-Barnies bassist Pete Sutton, drummer Nick White, and red-headed Mary Ellen Leahy -- who some of us had a hunch was destined for greatness back when she was working at Taang! -- on guitar and vocals. (Dyas, Sutton, and White are also the surf specialists behind the rockin' Ray Corvair Trio.) Grittier, poppier, and less metallic than Dyas's former outfit, Trona blend the quirky tunefulness of the Pixies with loose male/female harmonies that recall John and Exene of X. They've released a killer single on the local Cosmic Records label ("Red Hot Slag"/"Black Box") and have a track ("Black Box") on the new compilation Wicked Deluxe (Wicked Disc).

-- Matt Ashare