Photos: Local H, Hounds Below, & The Life and Times at CMJ

The no-frills venue Union Square Ballroom was host to an appropriately straightforward night of rock late Wednesday for the Slimstyle Records showcase featuring Local H, The Hounds Below, and The Life and Times. The Hounds Below, which just released its debut album, was sandwiched in between two veteran acts.

Local H kicked off the Slimstyle showcase Wednesday at CMJ Union.

Local H, which now consists of the duo of founder Scott Lucas (guitar and vocals) and Brian St. Clair (drums), has been around in various configurations for a quarter century. Their latest album, "Hallelujah! I'm A Bum," is their first since 2008. Like any guitar-and-drums rock duo, this Chicago-based band is bound to bring comparisons to The Black Keys. And like their midwestern compatriots, Local H rocks hard, has catchy songs, and makes a full sound that is hard to believe is coming from just two people.

The Hounds Below, a quartet out of Michigan led by former Von Bondies frontman Jason Stollsteimer, is supporting its first album, "You Light Me Up in the Dark," which came out earlier this month. (Listen to "You Light Me Up in the Dark" online at the A/V Club.)

The Life and Times, which has been around about a decade, is a trio from Kansas City led by Allen Epley. They've got more than a half dozen albums and EPs out including their latest, "No One Loves You Like I Do," which was released in January. They'll be playing a number of dates with Local H in October and November.

Local H:

The Hounds Below:

The Life and Times: