It’s a meaningless acronym, but it sure has a nice ring to it: The fourth R.I.C.E. Fest is a lot of rock, a lot of art, and a little bit of everything else. In addition to live bands in the front room, the Phantasy will open its back room to 20 artists, who will display and sell jewelry, pottery, photography, pastels, and collages (including Brian Sarama’s “Portrait of a Shy Girl,” right). The eight-band lineup bounces from AC/DC-style rock (Welcome to Bangkok) to Tool-influenced prog metal (Irreality) and a brazen fusion of grunge and old-school hardcore (Love Spank). And isn’t it time you had a little Love Spank?

This article appears in May 4-10, 2005.