TCB

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PENALTY KICKS

• Husky-voiced Austin rocker Patrice Pike could be CBS's next Rock Star, but first she must vanquish, among others, exotically monikered contestants "Storm Large," "Ryan Star," and an Icelandic ringer named "Magni." First prize, such as it is, is recording and touring with hard-rock cast-offs Dave Navarro, Jason Newsted, and Tommy Lee, who have optimistically dubbed themselves Supernova. The surprisingly watchable reality series' second season premieres 7pm Wednesday. http://rockstar.msn.com.

• Austin indie-pop royalty Voxtrot have signed with PlayLouder, part of the Beggars Group of labels that also includes Matador, 4AD, XL, and Too Pure. The band has licensed this year's Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives EP to Beggars for international release this fall, when they will also release a new single and tour overseas. No local shows are currently on the docket, but Voxtrot plays a free show in Brooklyn's Prospect Park Friday with TV on the Radio, and the Pitchfork Festival's opening-night party July 28 in Chicago.

• Festival Beach Road, which runs alongside the Town Lake hike & bike trail just east of I-35, was renamed Nash Hernandez Sr. Road, in honor of the late Austin big-band leader, Monday evening. Hernandez, who died in 1994, led his namesake orchestra for 45 years and lived on nearby Holly Street; now under the baton of son Ruben, the NHO plays Donn's Depot Saturday.

• Local bands I Kill Cars, Vacation Gold, and Tia Carrera salute Hollywood's nuttiest Scientologist, Tom Cruise, on his 44th – in Earth years, anyway – birthday Monday at Red's Scoot Inn. Further attractions include screenings of unspecified Cruise movies (TCB votes for Losin' It), copies of Dianetics as door prizes, and a couch-jumping contest. Cover is $5, and everyone must complete a personality test upon entry.