Droids Attack

Even border troubles that nearly saw them lose their merch couldn't mute the pummelling Palm Desert-inspired chug and groove riff rock offered up by this Wisconsin-based trio. With more than cursory nods to Kyuss and Black Sabbath, their ear-shattering sonic thud proved almost too much for the club they showcased in to handle. Passers-by must have thought a bomb was going off when the windows began to shake and throb. Although they probably could have done without the "Ace of Spades” cover, they score bonus points for having a life-size robot working the room while they played.