POP / SNEAK PEEK: PINK NOISE TEST'S COLLEGE-BOUND SOUND : HE VANTS TO BE ALONE.

When sonic terrorists Pink Noise Test come up with a strong tune, the first thing they do is obscure the fact.

``We're definitely melody-based, but we take some liberties with the arrangements,'' singer Lawrence Glass explained. ``We write pop songs and subvert them.''

There's no shortage of catchy material on Pink Noise Test's just-released major label debut, ``Plasticized'' (Interscope), which boasts an industrial-strength undercurrent.

The arty quartet lists such oddities as loops, sweep generator, toy piano, noises, vibrators and sheet metal among the instrumentation that went into the making of the album.

``We're more interested in college airplay because, in much of America, that's the place to hear interesting music as opposed to commercial alternative radio,'' Glass said. ``Commercial alternative doesn't seem like a place we can build a home.''

Pink Noise Test appears Saturday at the Troubadour in West Hollywood along with Touch Candy and others. The same afternoon, the band will play between matches of the 1997 AVP Men's Pro Beach Volleyball Tour on the Sam Goody/Certs Stage at Hermosa Beach.

``We try only to play shows that are going to be interesting,'' guitarist and toy pianist Kirk Hellie said.

The locally based band was formed three years ago when Glass and Hellie began writing together. Drummer Peter Kelly had been playing with Hellie in ex-Sex Pistol Steve Jones' band; bassist Michael Hill, who had toured with Glass in late '80s noise-pop groups, completed the lineup.

``There are a few different scenes going on here in Los Angeles,'' Glass observed. ``In Hollywood, bands just want to get signed and get out. But in Silver Lake, people seem more interested in doing things that are a bit more creative and college-oriented.''

Acclaimed Texas songwriter Robert Earl Keen has something in common with Greta Garbo when it comes time to write new tunes.

``First, I wall myself off from everything,'' he said. ``I require a lot of solitude. I have a good ratio of good to bad songs, and I only dumped two for this new record, but there's gonna be stuff you wouldn't repeat even to yourself.''

On his current disc, ``Picnic'' (Arista Austin), the Houston-born Keen is joined by longtime supporter Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies. His songs have been covered by onetime neighbor Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, Joe Ely and Kelly Willis.

``I write so I can perform,'' Keen said. ``I want to be out there on stage while people are having a good time. Of course, there are down times, but I really always get a thrill out of getting on stage and making people react one way or another.''

Jane's Addiction returns

Looks like those Jane's Addiction ``relapse'' rumors are true. Lead singer Perry Farrell (real name Bernstein), guitarist Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins will be joined by Chili Peppers bassist Flea in a reunion tour to also include Porno for Pyros before the end of the year. Original Jane's bassist Eric Avery declined. An album of earlier live material and newly recorded stuff will also be issued.

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Photo

PHOTO Lawrence Glass, left, Peter Kelly, Kirk Hellie and Michael Hill of Pink Noise Test.