Who cares that ska's popularity took a nosedive four years ago? Pull on your first pair of bootcuts, sneak out the window and revisit the old fad this Saturday, when the Pietasters hit the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro.
The band's sound is laid back yet thumping, boasting a lead singer who screams melodies in true ska form. The band also deserves mad props for funny lyrics that sound... well, a lot like high school. (Try "girl, I just wanna get to know you... in a Biblical sense.")
The Pietasters are known for their adolescent antics, like screaming at the crowd to throw beer and dedicating sets to infamous celebrities like O.J. Simpson. Sure, newer slackers like Blink-182 offer similar junior-highness, but the Pietasters are much sweeter.
The Pietasters' best original stuff is a tad more mellow than typical third-wave ska, with classics like "Without You" sounding dangerously close to adult. Also hope the band plays some of their hallmark covers, including Temptations favorites "Same Old Song" and "Time Won't Let Me."
Showtime should be about 10pm. By one o'clock or so, you should have your fix of adolescence and be ready to roll back to college. Lucky for you, now there's no stress about making curfew.
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