Nashville's The Minks manage to sound both raw and polished, old-school and current. Perhaps it's the band's simple, grimy blues-rock structures, tempered by vocalist Nikki Barber's smooth and soulful Southern charm. Maybe it's all the fuzzed-out guitars and '60s-throwback keyboards, giving the music a decidedly retro sound without losing any edge. Whatever The Minks are doing, it's working. Their latest EP, "Blue," is down and dirty rock 'n' roll, with plenty of cool swagger to spare.

The Minks will play Wednesday, September 12, at Abilene Bar and Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way. 8:30 p.m. $5. 232-3230. abilenebarandlounge.com; theminksband.com.