Carney and The Depths at SOhO

As far as up-and-coming rock bands go, Carney seems out to break all the rules. Dressed and packaged like a dime-a-dozen four-piece with alt-rock tendencies, these guys are young, handsome, and based out of that Mecca of buzz bands called Los Angeles. On top of that, they go by the last name of two of their four members (Reeve is the lead vocalist, brother Zane plays lead guitar). But just as you begin to anticipate that dreaded “as featured on The Hills” kicker, the drum and bass start up and all that silly image stuff is blown to smithereens.

Fluctuating between Black Crowes-inspired blues rock-outs, Jack White-style war cries, and catchy pop-tinged lyrics (think Phantom Planet meets Cold War Kids), these twenty-somethings definitely run the gamut-and manage to make it all rock. Even the band’s softer side (check out their latest ballad, “All Right”) comes across as heartfelt and meaningful. Still, Carney is at its best when the speakers (and amps) are turned up to top volume. Tunes like “Testify” come complete with gritty guitar licks that spiral around yelping protest lyrics and sound like something out of the Zeppelin catalogue. I guess it’s no wonder these guys were attracting such a crowd down at their recently wrapped residency at L.A. hotspot Molly Malones.

Currently, the band is signed to David Geffen’s illustrious Interscope Records and packing a truckload of newly penned, as-yet unreleased material. Keep an eye out for the band’s full-length, destined to drop sometime soon. And until then, we advise giving ’em a listen and heading out to one of their many upcoming West Coast shows.

On Wednesday, March 25, Carney will team up with Santa Barbara’s own The Depths at SOhO (1221 State St.) for a night of in-your-face music that is guaranteed to keep your feet tapping through to the next day. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. and is for ages 21+. For tickets and show info, call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com. And for more on Carney, check them out online at myspace.com/carneytheband.