Some Girls News

IT STARTED WITH nothing at all," says Cold Cave's Wesley Eisold, of the origins of his dark synth-pop group.

Gentle sounding indie-pop that is very ocean-y and summer-y. Hell, it even samples the ocean.

One of lifea s inevitable truths is that punks grow up. Just look at Cold Cave, the Philadelphia electro-pop outfit fronted by former hardcore screamer Wesley Eisold.

If you've ever heard the lonesome harp playing that graces the Rolling Stones ' "Miss You," then you've experienced the phenomenal harmonica skills of Sugar Blue.

To coincide with the release of their debut album Love Comes Close , US four-piece Cold Cave will embark on a 10-date tour of the British Isles.

Cold Cave performs with Crocodiles on Monday, Sept. 7, at 9 p.m., $5; 550-6994 or www.theknockoutsf.com . Subject : Cold Cave by Doug Wallen Nailing hardcore with Give Up the Ghost and then post-hardcore with Some Girls, the itinerant Wesley Eisold wound up in Philadelphia, where he has built his scrappy project, Cold Cave, into a proper band.

Contemplate, for a moment, the metaphorical significance of caves. A cave can symbolize the womb, a place of warmth and sanctuary.

Considering the indie-rock crowd's generally fickle nature, any band that's managed to stick it out for almost 20 years deserves a goddamn medal or something.

I know it's incredibly bad form to mention previous bands various people have been in when their new band is just blossoming, but when you're talking about anyone who's ever been involved in Botch then, y'know, it's hard to forget the past.