Ever So Clever

Everybody was nodding their heads to the bounce and gazing at the ridiculously boyish bassist who could be a Cowsills grand-kid and the keyboardist/maraca-shaker who could impersonate Weird Al Yankovic -- the band's certainly visually arresting. A couple of drunken gals who'd wandered in for kicks kept peering around and smiling to make sure they weren't obscuring my view (we were standing on the seats of our booths to see over the jam-up).

The more rocking stuff ("Catholic Pagans"; the power-chord-ecstatic "Swim") is clearly influenced by Pavement and Weezer, and -- I'm not kidding -- there were good vibes and gently pumping bodies that would segue nicely after the "Buddy Holly" video. With the blood that spilled during the more muscular, volatile Turbo Fruits set, and the disappointment of those who didn't know Best Coast had opted to appear at a party in Upland, SB's catharsis was welcome, especially to those who'd waited to catch another buzz after the band's earlier M-Theory appearance.

A radio promoter climbed up next to me, concurring, "They're going to break even bigger!" After another fine-tuning (the mix was one of the meatiest, most exacting I've heard in a bar), when the band dove into "Harmonix," it would have been foolish to avoid its aural opiates. Hey, these guys will only combine youth with ever-so-clever once.

• Concert: Surfer Blood, Turbo Fruits, Lanterns
• Show date: March 26
• Venue: Bar Pink
• Seats: Right up front or two booths back