Not just blowing smoke About eight years ago, Ol' Yeller frontman Rich Mattson got a random call on his cell simply listed as "Idaho." It was none other than Doug Martsch of the revered Boise band Built to Spill, who somehow got a copy of Ol' Yeller's eponymous 2000 album and called to sing its praises. "We should do a show together sometime," Mattson recalled him saying. That date was finally kept last Saturday when OY opened for BTS at the Finnegan's ShamRock fest outside the Cabooze. Martsch watched the Yellers' entire set, including the unforgettable finale. Mattson called up the Brian Boru Pipe Band to perform the only song you can expect both a bagpipe troupe and a garage-rock band to know: AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)," deftly sung by guitarist Andy (Bonfire) Schultz. Said Mattson, "No rehearsal, just one e-mail to make sure we got it in the right key." B-flat and A-plus.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Firkin fun Jason Alvey remembers exactly where he was when he fell in love with craft beer. It was 2001, he had moved here from Australia and he was at the Uptown Pizza Luce when someone bought a pitcher of Summit Extra Pale Ale. "It's been a slippery spiral ever since," he said. "And here I am now with a specialty beer store." Alvey sells only craft beer at the Four Firkins, 8009 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park. Five local breweries will offer free samples at Saturday's grand opening -- Brau Brothers from 2-5 p.m., Surly, Flat Earth, Summit and Schell's starting at 6 p.m. -- and everybody's favorite bar-on-wheels, the PedalPub, will be on hand at 7 p.m. for rides. Alvey said he couldn't believe someone else hadn't already opened a store like this. "There's a massive beer scene here," he said. Customers can expect a free tasting every Friday and Saturday night. He's also starting a monthly "Beer Evangelist Class" focusing on beer styles. The first (June 20) is already filled. Check it out online at TheFourFirkins.com.

TOM HORGEN

A Neptune meets a Hecker Superproducer Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes opened for Kanye West Wednesday night at Target Center. But first he stopped by Status, an Uptown boutique that carries his high-end clothing line, Billionaire Boys Club (a pair of BBC jeans can run you $300). He didn't seem fazed by the 200-plus people who showed up to meet him, but he was stunned by one particular fan: 13-year-old Jake Hecker, son of businessman Denny Hecker. Dressed head-to-toe in BBC, he told I.W.: "I like people not wearing what I'm wearing. I don't like that Abercrombie stuff." Jake was one of the first people to meet Williams, telling him, "I wear your stuff like every day." Later, Williams said his clothing line is "a shining example for kids to see that they can grow up and do whatever they want to." Jake's mom, Tamitha, said her son wants to be a DJ. Maybe Williams can hook him up with that, too.

TOM HORGEN

In good hands Not all rock stars' instruments wind up on a Hard Rock Cafe wall. The main bass guitar of Soul Asylum's Karl Mueller is still being put to good use by none other than R.E.M.'s Mike Mills. In fact, he played Mueller's bass last Thursday in St. Paul on "Man in the Moon." Backstage, Mills told former Soul Asylum road manager Bill Sullivan that he bought the bass on eBay. Meanwhile, you can buy the piano John Lennon and Yoko Ono had in their New York apartment at the time of his death. Schmitt Music in Edina is selling the Steinway on behalf of a private collector. You can bid on the piano or just look at it at Schmitt's Galleria store through August -- or until it's sold.

JON BREAM

Rasta-sotan on the runway Showcasing the work of 45 designers, Caribbean Fashion Week starts Friday in Kingston, Jamaica. The production manager? Minneapolis resident and networker extraordinaire Richard Moody. He got the call two weeks ago from stylist Brandon Chad, best known for giving Missy Elliott her look. Moody, a former model who walked runways for three seasons in Capetown, South Africa, will work with 68 models, only five of whom are white -- the opposite of most other fashion shows. "I always say: global, not local," said Moody. Even so, he is bringing 25 pairs of VedaloHD sunglasses, produced by a Plymouth-based company. He hopes to get some of the shades to "Ugly Betty" star Vanessa Williams, who is expected to attend.

SARA GLASSMAN