Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen return to the Echo Lounge, 2104 C St., on Thursday, June 25. His latest CD, "Luck in a Hurry," Scissormen's first internationally distributed album, has been in my vehicle's CD player for about three weeks now.

It's filled with 11 blistering electric slide guitar-driven numbers, nine of them originals. It's hot, gritty and raw — the way blues should be. My favorite from the album is "Whiskey and Mary Jane." You can give it a listen through the Web site www.scissormen.com.

“This isn’t just a band — it’s a mission,” Drozdowski said. “We believe the blues is as blood and guts vital and relevant as it was when the music’s giants walked the Earth, if it’s played right. So that’s how we play it — respecting the music’s roots, but not at the expense of its future.”

Scissormen have tripped across continents spreading their brand of blues wildfire from Bonnaroo 2008 to the Cognac Blues Passions Festival in France.

Music critic Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone and VH-1 calls Drozdowski “a guitarist of spellbinding invention and intelligence. His slide playing shears the skin off your bones, and he can unleash roaring gales of sound. But lyricism and musicality lie at the heart of even his wildest moments. I have never listened to him and not been transported to a strange, beautiful place I’d never been before.”

If you want a preview check out youtube.com/scissormen.



UPCOMING SHOWS POSTED ON www.scissormen.com:



* SUNDAY, JUNE 14 - NASHVILLE: We return to the The Basement with "Scissormen's Roots & Rock Revue". That's one of Music City's best rooms, with our friends from Fort Wayne Poopdeflex and the B-Sharpz and Nashville's own Chess Kings for a night of high velocity blues 'n' punk 'n' roll. Special early show: 8 p.m. The Basement's under Grimey's New and Preloved Music, at 1604 8th Ave., South. Entrance is 'round back. Call 615-254-8006 or visit www.thebasementnashville.com.

* MONDAY, JUNE 15 — ATLANTA: We're filming an episode of Dirty South TV's Live from the Dirty South before an audience in Atlanta. The taping's from 7 to 11 p.m. check out www.dirtysouthtv.tv for inspiration.

* TUESDAY, JUNE 16 — ATLANTA: We're back at Blind Willie's, and tonight there will be no tornados except what happens on stage when the hill country and Delta spirits take over. This classic American blues club is at 828 N. Highland Ave., N.E. Call 404) 873-2583 or visit www.blindwilliesblues.com Music starts at 9 p.m.

* THURSDAY, JUNE 25 — MERIDIAN: We're back the Echo Lounge, an authentic Mississippi juke joint, just like it says on the door. Shakin' it down hard from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 2104 C. Street. Call 601-693-1523.

* FRIDAY, JUNE 26 — OXFORD, MS: Once more, back at the ultra awesome Rooster’s Blues House. If you're up the road at the Hill Country Picnic, come on down at night to help us make downtown Oxford shake while we call up the ghosts of R.L., Junior and Jessie. The club’s at 114 Courthouse Sq. Eat here! The food's crazy good! Call 662-236-7970 or visit www.roostersblueshouse.com.

* SATURDAY, JULY 25 — NASHVILLE: We juke up rock 'n' roll hot spot the 5 Spot at Five Points in East Nashville. The club's at 1006 Forest St. Call (615) 650-9333 or git y'all on to www.myspace.com/the5spotnashville

* SATURDAY, AUG. 8 — MEMPHIS: We’re back at the Buccaneer Lounge at 1368 Monroe Ave. — the closest you’ll ever get to being in Blue Velvet. We’re gonna start some time after 11 and play long and late, so be there to juke down up close and personal. Call 901-278-0909 or visit www.myspace.com/buccaneer_memphis