Since moving to New Orleans in 1992, Englishman and former Alarm frontman Dave Sharp has found strength in folk music. His regular acoustic gigs at Kerry Irish Pub ring with the blue-collar grit and determined optimism of his previous band, just in a different genre at lower volume. Now Sharp is ready to reconnect with rock 'n' roll. "This is the first time since the Alarm that I've taken the electric guitar off the wall and dusted it down," he says. "I feel legitimate about writing pop songs again." Sharp has convened a new version of his backing band the Hard Travelers, this time featuring local pedal steel ace Dave Easley, a double Hammond B-3 attack and guitarist Mike Carriciola. "I started putting a new record together, so it's time to get with the band and test-drive the new material. I'm thrilled to bits. This is the finest band I've been in in a long, long time." And fans of Sharp's solo gigs needn't worry. "The Sunday healings and Thursday rockings at Kerry's will continue," notes Sharp. -- Jordan (Gambit Weekly New Orleans)