Unlike many of their more popular indie rock contemporaries, The Airborne Toxic Event—whose name nods at Don DeLillo's modern classic, White Noise—is not a band concerned with coming across as cute. We can't imagine them dressed in preppy punk ensembles bouncing around under a chandelier or besmudged in Native American-inspired "war paint," plunking away at synths and singing about misplaced youth.

Nope, this is a real, grimy rock 'n roll band playing catchy, hook-laden songs filled with tight beats and wailing guitars. That might explain why the Los Feliz five-piece is so beloved among locals who compare their sound to established artists like Modest Mouse and The Clash. TATE's self-titled debut album which drops tomorrow has been highly anticipated by this swiftly growing word-of-mouth fan base; many first caught the band during their five-show residency at Spaceland last January or even earlier when they rocked the Echo.

But don't take this secondhand. Catch their absurdly energetic live show when TATE hits up the El Rey Theatre with The Morning Benders on Thursday night, and pick up the new album ahead of time to get a taste of what you're in for. They're not trendy, but unlike many bands of the moment, this one indie rock quintet with serious staying power.

- Caroline Stanley

Similar Topics:debut albums, live show, music

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