Courtesy photo

THE BAND: Killer Dismount

THE MEMBERS: Mark Sowell, guitar and lead vocals; Matthew Rubio, bass and vocals; Brandon Morales, lead guitar and vocals; Martin Rubio, drums

THE SOUND: “Cali party punk rock,” Morales said. The songs, which the guys mostly collaborate on, range from Irish drinking tunes to sociopolitical commentary. Morales wrote the hard-driving “Sing a Prayer” in response to 9/11; “Avenue B” is a fun, lilting ode to the now-defunct Lounge at Avenue B (now the Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar); “Distraught” is a lover's lament belied by its high-energy beat.

THE WEB: myspace.com/killerdismount

THE ALBUM: Killer Dismount (2005)

THE BACKGROUND: Sowell and twins Matthew and Martin Rubio have been friends since kindergarten; they started the band as teenagers while at Holmes High School. Originally called Self-Titled Album, the band sounded “like a really bad Green Day,” said Sowell (aka Mark Dismount). “Now we sound like an OK Green Day.” Morales met Sowell a few years ago at Applebee's, where they both work as chefs. The band's current name comes from Martin Rubio's love of skateboarding.

CHECK THEM OUT: At Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar on Friday, Jan. 25, and at Atomix on Sunday, Feb. 3.

THE 210 TAKE: Killer Dismount moves from pop punk to ska to emo with a lot of energy and tight guitar work. Recommended: “Coffee and Cigarettes,” a Blink 182-style track with the line: “We'll see the show and maybe I'll hold your hand / Maybe this time you won't have to pay.”

Jessica Belasco | 210SA Contributor