Five local shows over the next two weeks

By Kevin Smead | SDUN Reporter

The Creepy Creeps, Octagrape, DJ Claire @ The Whistle Stop
Friday, Feb. 28
No price currently listed.
whistlestopbar.com

The Creepy Creeps are, hands down, one of the most fun bands I’ve ever seen. If you’ve never heard or seen The Creepy Creeps, they play upbeat, danceable grooves with a decidedly surf slant and generally perform with several go-go dancers. Also, they all wear some kind of themed mask, be it a zombie, werewolf or undead mariachi group. Bring comfortable dancin’ shoes and spend Friday night being as creepy as possible.

Com Truise, Phantoms @ The Casbah
Saturday, March 1
$12 advance, $14 day of show
casbahmusic.com

I first caught wind of Com Truise via his remix of “Thanks Bill” on El Ten Eleven’s “Transitions Remixed.” While I’m normally not a fan of remix albums, this one happens to be excellent, and Com Truise’s is a standout track. His style is heavily ‘80s inspired and is very much akin to other electronic artists such as Kavinsky and Oliver. It’s perfect music for driving late at night, or in this case, spending a low-key evening at The Casbah.

Warm Soda, Peach Kelli Pop, Bit Tits @ The Hideout
Thursday, March 6
$8 advance, $10 day of show
thehideoutsd.com

Warm Soda is a great garage rock band from Oakland and definitely my kind of group. Its music features both pop and punk elements without being pop-punk — you know, in true Blink-182 fashion. Also noteworthy is that this show is at The Hideout, which was formerly The Void, et al. Though many venues have had their fair share of troubles at this location, this show’s a great opportunity to check out somewhere new that will (hopefully) stick around for a while.

The Ataris @ House of Blues, San Diego
Friday, March 7
$20 advance, $23 day of show
houseofblues.com

Speaking of pop-punk, I really missed The Ataris. Their seminal album “So Long, Astoria” turned 10 in 2013 and the group is touring, celebrating its big one-zero. While singer/guitarist Kris Roe may be the only original member of the band, don’t let that stop you from going and singing all the words to “My Reply” like it’s 2003.

The Gods of Science, I*WISH*I, The Beautiful View, Dead Satellites @ Soda Bar
Friday, March 14
$8
sodabarmusic.com

I’d never heard of The Gods of Science until writing this column, but I must admit I really dig their sound. As I’ve said several times, I’m a sucker for garage punk. The Gods of Science seem to be somewhere in between Rocket from the Crypt and The Bronx with their funky minor chords and heavily octave-based driving parts. I mean, if nothing else, it’ll be loud. When it comes to garage punk, sometimes that’s all that matters.