Ad Astera Per Aspera

Fronted by a pudgy Frank Black look-a-like with a thin John Waters moustache, this band had their visuals down pat. Thankfully, their unique aesthetic was complemented by their outstandingly original and exciting sound, which resembled Black’s old band (rhymes with "dixies”) playing math rock with a bassist who looks like Rivers Cuomo. Almost every song contained a total "what the fuck?” moment without seeming forced and the layers offered by two guitarists and a keyboard player made for a complete sonic experience.