As guitar riffs stick with a residual sense of grit, tumbling into the pace-setting thud of bass that leads into the punctuation of percussion, the sound of Fraktur has already begun to take residence in your head. The grunge-punk trio composed of Jen Twigg (The Ambulars, Attendant), Barrett Lindgren (Ghost Light), and Derek Ludwig rattle the senses, asserting force as the gates open. Sitting in a deep, smashing groove that’s welcoming whilst aggressive, the band stews in its ability to maintain movement with a catchy give-take of exuberant yet snarly vocals, staying calm in melody as the wick grows shorter and the potential instrumental explosion sits in inevitable wait. Speaking of explosive, the hardcore quartet of Socialite serves as a fire starter, roaring with a blistering intensity. Blue Smiley establishes waves of sonic tranquility that send one coasting downstream only to be met by the exhilarating onslaught of gushing rapids. With their new LP, Electric Soul Unity, due out on August 19 via Topshelf Records, Oakland’s Happy Diving dig in supercharged, sludgy, rifftastic rock. LAVA Space, 4134 Lancaster Ave., 8pm, $6, All Ages – Michael Colavita
