California Beach Slang

Before Beach Slang played, patrons at the Casbah were treated to a new supergroup of sorts in the backroom. The trio brave enough to call themselves “California” includes one member of Green Day (Jason White) and the drummer from Jawbreaker (Adam Pfahler). The band plays catchy, straightforward West Coast rock reminiscent of the namesake state that stretches from Mexico to Oregon.

Beach Slang hit the stage after 11 p.m. and finished up around 1 a.m. The Philly quartet kept the packed room entertained with a set that was ferocious but tight. Perhaps most surprising was the obvious devotion of the fans for a band that is only two EPs and one LP into the game. From the start the floor was moving and singing along. The reality that this band seems to have legs was apparent when the group busted into “Hard Luck Kid” three songs in and the crowd went nuts.

Since Beach Slang has limited material, the set was peppered with covers — three of which happened to be Jawbreaker songs. Pfahler assumed drum duties for “Boxcar,” which most of the crowd seemed familiar with. His California bandmate, White, would join the band on guitar for their cover of the Replacements “Can’t Hardly Wait.” This reviewer’s favorite moment was an impromptu cover of Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” during the encores. A move that seemed very Replacements-esque, indeed.

There was a certain magic to the evening in not only discovering a great live act, but one that was a perfect fit for the room they were playing. I wish Beach Slang all the success in the world, but I also hope they can play rooms like the Casbah for eternity — because that is where their music belongs.

• Artist: Beach Slang + California
• Venue: The Casbah
• Date: May 6
• Seats: General