THE SOUND: Indie pop rock with catchy lyrics and inventive instrumentation

THE BAND: Erik Sanden (guitar, lead vocals), Joe Reyes (lead guitar, lead vocals), OdieÖ (bass, vocals), Jamie RoadmanÖ (drums, vocals, glockenspiel)

THEIR WORDS: "I like (our shows) to be comfortable, changing, interesting, intimate. We've done a couple of things that are adventurous. I'm happiest when we've taken risks, even when it doesn't always work." -- Erik Sanden

THEIR RECORDS: Sick Yellow Flower (2005), Hot Love (2006)

WHERE TO SEE THEM: The 'Cup usually stages its shows in small BYOB listening spaces such as the Wiggle Room and the Red Room. Keep an eye out for the occasional Grackle Mundy show, during which the band goes all out with themes and costumes. The guys also will perform at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin in March.

THE WEB: buttercult.com, myspace.com/buttercult, gracklemundy.com

THE 210 TAKE: The quartet has garnered a cult following in San Antonio with its unselfconscious quirkiness and never-the-same live shows, where the members often swap instruments for kicks and audience participation is all but required. Fans can call the band's Dial-a-Song hotline -- aka Sanden's answering machine -- at (210) 738-2253 to hear a song; the selection is updated sporadically.

Jessica Belasco | Contributor