CKY

Fri., Dec. 22 and Sat., Dec. 23, 8:30 p.m., $20-$22, with Down the Drain and The Murder Junkies, The TLA.

by A.D. Amorosi

rock/pop

Jackass and brother Bam be damned. Despite being around since the late '90s, West Chester's CKY — drummer Jess Margera's band with singer-guitarists Chad I. Ginsburg and Deron Miller — have to date received zero respect for their rambunctious metal. Zip. Now be honest, boys: Neither volume of the skate clump punk Camp Kill Yourself deserves approbation. So, you know. But Infiltrate-Destroy-Rebuild and An Answer Can Be Found (Universal) — they're pretty swanky in their rude, skanky fashion. They've got creepy vintage Moog lines that slide through surprisingly rough tight rhythms. They've got pop-toned-up melodies to go with their effectively mordant storytelling. "Escape from Hellview" ain't "Strange Fruit," but Miller's noose-swinging victims paint a potent image. And the band just signed with Roadrunner, which means somebody up there likes them hard. So CKY might not be Tool, yo. But you should at least consider the possibilities.

Fri., Dec. 22 and Sat., Dec. 23, 8:30 p.m., $20-$22, with Down the Drain and The Murder Junkies, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, www.thetla.com.