Tennis at Slowdown Jr., Aug. 16, 2010.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

There continues to be a trend in indie music toward ’50s and ’60s-style doo-wap rock. Denver band Tennis, who played to around 50 at Slowdown Jr. Monday night, certainly fits into the category. Consisting of husband and wife duo Patrick Riley (guitar) and Alaina Moore (keyboards/vocals), they played a set of easy-going throwback rock featuring Riley’s glowing Telecaster that sounded like it was transported out of a jukebox from Happy Days. Moore’s voice had that uneasy Natalie Merchant lilt (when it was in key).

Cabana Boys at Slowdown Jr., Aug. 16, 2010.

Opening with their usual solid set of yell-along punk songs were the anglers from Well Aimed Arrows, who ratcheted up their enthusiasm despite having to stare at a sea of seated patrons (Come on, folks, get out of your chairs, ferchrissake). Last night also was the world premier of Cabana Boys, a new trio featuring bassist Annie Dilocker (Digital Leather), drummer Kit Carson  (La Casa Bombas), and guitarist Kevin Cline (Watching the Train Wreck). You could call their sound “drunken garage rock slacker surf,” except that none of them appeared to be drunk. More to come, please…

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2010 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.