Locals Only

Right now, there's an A&R hopeful skulking along Sunset Boulevard and wishing on every passing Porsche Carrera that he'll find a band just like Repeater: a group of nice, experienced musicians with a solid '80s sound fronted by a singer who can actually sing—like, no speech impediment, no yelling, could-maybe-swing-a-musical-if-he-wanted sing. But lo, if that A&R dude ever found Repeater he would surely destroy them—all the world needs is yet another band to open for She Wants Revenge. Out with the quiet-ish keys, in with an overbearing synth orchestra; trade in the smaller guitar bits and riffs for one endless wheedle-wheedle solo; run singer Steve Krolikowski's smoky-with-a-hint-of-British vocals through a bunch of machines; rinse, YouTube, remix. So let's hope Repeater never have their brush with fame—the kind of fame that presents itself with a bleached smile and a slick handshake, at least—because as it is, they've got a good thing going: a little New Order, a pinch of Flock of Seagulls, with flecks of Before and After Science-era Eno and a tangible, earnest appreciation for the '80s soundscape (check "Painless" and "Half the Weight" especially) minus the look and attitude—things better forgotten anyway. The band could rework their choruses, sure—I'm left wanting a dynamic, B-I-G change to drive these songs till their end; the current stuff might work better as a bridge—but otherwise the songwriting is there. Keep away from LA, fellas, and you'll be just fine.

Contact: myspace.com/repeaterband; repeatertheband1@yahoo.com.

REPEATER PLAY AT THE PROSPECTOR, 2400 E. SEVENTH ST., LONG BEACH, (562) 438-3839; WWW.PROSPECTORLONGBEACH.COM. SAT., 10 P.M. CALL FOR COVER. 21+.