The Rugs / Wormwood Scrubs / Finn's Motel

Springfield, Missouri, was the unlikeliest of rock meccas in 2006, given the blog-love bestowed upon Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Thee Fine Lines. But just as deserving of attention are the Rugs, whose bassist happens to be Lou Whitney of Morells fame. While the band may not be as well-known as its fellow townsmen, its musical touchstones are equally lofty: A friend who saw the Rugs' October Duck Room appearance compared them to the Zombies and "'60s power-pop." (Choose your own influences at myspace.com/therugs.) Also on the bill are the coed sweet-country quartet Wormwood Scrubs — who will be embarking on a UK tour early next year — and heavenly pop hitmakers Finn's Motel.