VHS or Beta

Fri., Aug. 31, 9:30 p.m., with Walter Meego and DJ Shawn Ryan, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave.

by A.D. Amorosi

When did VHS or Beta become sleek, decking itself out in chic basslines and flirty sexy-man vocals? That's the stuff of Bring on the Comets (Astralwerks), their new CD. Certainly, the Louisville sluggers were capable of solidly poppish songs. Of course there was groaning on a Cure/Echo tip but with a souped-up beat and nicely even synths to bolster the bleating. They named their first record Le Funk. Those are the usual signs your kids'll grow up to be Klaxons. Still, I can't recall VHS or Beta coming across as swoony and foxy — musky even — as they do now. Bigger guitars and louder howling from Craig Pfunder matched with brawnier drums and keyboards on the crunching "Can't Believe a Single Word" and "Burn It All Down." I got it: Power Station 2007. Feel the heat.

Fri., Aug. 31, 9:30 p.m., $10, with Walter Meego and DJ Shawn Ryan, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 866-468-7619, www.johnnybrendas.com.