When Matt Beck, guitarist for Virginia Beach-based metalcore band Spitfire, says he's a big fan of vinyl records, take him at his word. Not only would he rather listen to music pressed onto a plastic circle, but he's also formed a new independent record company that will release music only on vinyl.

SHDWPLY Records, based in Norfolk, is being operated by a small staff that includes Beck, Jen Phipps, Dan Stan and Richard Owens. The label dropped its first record this week, a 16-song LP from a Virginia Beach band, the Super Vacations.

The vinyl itself is not one of those flimsy pieces of plastic Mercury Records used to release Thin Lizzy albums on; this is a hunk of heavy-duty vinyl you definitely wouldn't want tossed toward your face as a Frisbee. The cover art is eye-catching with its bright, almost psychedelic style. It's a good representation of the band's mid-'60s, Who-inspired music.

Beck is sending albums to independent record stores, including Amoeba Records in Los Angeles. Not only does the music sound better on vinyl than on CD or a digital MP3, but it's cool with underground hipsters.

"Music lovers appreciate it," Beck said.

The Super Vacations are scheduled to appear April 13 at The Boot in Norfolk. The album will be available for purchase.

To learn more about the label, check out www.myspace.com/shdwplyrecords [1].

Airwaves

The nationally syndicated "Your Time With Kim Iverson" made its Hampton Roads debut Monday on WPTE-FM (94.9) The Point. It airs weeknights from 7 to midnight and features a mix of music, Hollywood news and interviews.

"On the first show, Kim interviewed John Mayer," said Don London, vice president of operations for Entercom Norfolk. "This show gives WPTE a talent that is major market in caliber with great content and vast resources to deliver consistently more than we can locally. It fits WPTE perfectly with both content and music."

Downloadable

Thrash metal fans rejoice. Download, the Virginia Beach-based extreme rock band that was voted best local band last year in a poll conducted by WNOR FM99, has released its debut CD, "We Only Bleed for Family." In addition to such radio-worthy tracks as "Lab Rat" and "Imposter," "Fallen Ground" appears to be the obvious single, especially considering the band includes in its packaging a bonus DVD of the song that incorporates live footage as well as a staged warehouse performance.

Rock solid

Take the grunge of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden and toss in some power-chord metal mania a la Deep Purple and Judas Priest, and that in a nutshell sums up the sound of Concrete Sky on its new 10-song album "Every Face I Spend." Best party head-bangers: "Baby Naked," "Save Me" and "Every Face."

Unfortunately, there is no CD release party planned. Bassist Dan Foster says Concrete Sky is not actively performing, though the band is shopping the album to

labels. It's available for purchase at Birdland in Virginia Beach.

Hit factory

A reality television show featuring songwriters titled "Make My Song a Hit" is scheduled to begin filming April 8 at the Murray Center, 455 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk. The first show focuses on gospel/inspirational songs from nonprofessional composers who have their material critiqued by a panel of judges. The 7 p.m. event is

free and open to the public. Call (757) 424-7192 for more info.

Unplugged jam

DnD Music at 3304 Taylor Road, Chesapeake, (757) 484-6233, is hosting an open jam for musicians with acoustic instruments. It runs from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Jeff Maisey, (757) 222-3934, jmaisey@pilotonline.com