This Little Underground

Speaking of which, local group the Nude Scene, the latest band fronted by Fred Mullins, is straight up revivalist psychedelia. Thing is, it’s a little too slavish. It’s properly mind-expanding and has potential, but they need to inject their sound with some freshness or suffer novelty status.

Just down the street (Will’s Pub) was Reptar,an Athens, Ga., band that’s been on the hustle hard and getting lots of national attention. Although they’re kind of overrated with a low common denominator take on indie pop, they are a real party band – nothing more, nothing less. And they’ve successfully created a sense of phenomenon about them with a lively, stirring show to match.

Despite the strangely longwinded screed by the owner on its website (the321local.com), I’ve been meaning to check out Cocoa venue the 321 Local for a while now. Now, when you walk up to a joint and see Joe Buck (Jan. 28) himself walking his awesome dog outside, you gotta figure this place is gonna be all right. And indeed, it’s a pretty correct rock bar with pool tables, a spacious and dark music room, big stage, good sound and just enough grime to feel comfy.

The punks and beachbillies turned out to see Tennessee headliner Joe Buck (of Hank III and Legendary Shack Shakers fame), whose punkabilly and blues-punk packed more gritty muscle this time. I’ve been underwhelmed by him before, but he sounded good in a real rock club. Also decent was Titusville band Horrible Hound Dogs, whose blend of rock & roll, rockabilly and punk come via nice, sonorous guitars flanked by upright bass and washboard.

As for the venue, the 321 Local is a solid place for a show and totally worth the short, easy-as-pie drive.

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