Local music notes: Try on the Greycoats

After opening for the likes of We Are Scientists, the Foals and other touring acts, newcomers the Greycoats have a minor buzz going into their debut record, "Setting Fire to the Great Unknown," which arrives with a party next week at the Cedar Cultural Center -- also an opening gig with Chris Koza. The aptly named quartet sounds tailor-made for a shadowy, black-and-white art-house film soundtrack. Its dark Anglopop veers from Coldplay-like drama to Radiohead "Bends"-era storminess, the latter evident in the standout track "That Great and T errible Day."

Of all the national TV networks that local bands have appeared on, this one has to be a first: Cloud Cult will be featured on the Weather Channel's "Forecast Earth" series, airing Saturday and Sunday at 6 and 8 p.m. The spot is not about geeks who study clouds (i.e., cloud cultists). ...

Mint Condition won big in online magazine SoulTracks' 2008 Readers Choice Awards, topping out both the best group and album of the year categories with their latest disc, "eLife." ... Haley Bonar is on the road this month for some opening dates with Andrew Bird, who is out previewing his upcoming disc, "Noble Beast," due Jan. 27. ...

Locally reared pedal-steel star Eric Heywood -- who was back in town last weekend in Ray LaMontagne's band -- is heavily featured on the new Pretenders album, "Break Up the Concrete." Heywood may also play some shows with Chrissie Hynde and Co., depending on his schedule with LaMontagne. ... Rock label Blue Worm Records is celebrating its 10th anniversary over two nights Friday and Saturday at the Triple Rock with bands including Casanatra, Dropnickel (reuniting), All the Way Rider, Redoverlunar and more (10 p.m., $6 both nights). ...

Brian (G.B.) Leighton is back at it, just a week after having a tumor removed. He played again Wednesday at Bunkers and plans to make his gigs Friday at the Medina Entertainment Center and Saturday's St. Paul Police Grand Ball (a gig that undoubtedly has its perks). No local musician can ever whine about having to play a gig with a hangover or any other minor ailment ever again.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER