Cutting a Path Beyond The Minutemen’s Sprawl

The forced insularity of the Orange County rock scene has forged some bands with distinctive visions. Case in point: Friday’s show at Bogart’s in Long Beach with Don’t Mean Maybe, Eggplant and Bazooka.

Although Don’t Mean Maybe’s debut “Live Sample” album has just been released, the trio has already been dismissed by some as Minutemen second-hands. But while the convoluted rhythms and fierce attack Friday did beg some comparison, the trio cut its own sure path through and beyond the Minutemen’s sprawling influence. While still a bit unformed lyrically, the group pumped a rampaging sense of life into the skitter-rhythmed “Live Sample,” an exuberant celebration of coffee (“Happy Beans”), and even a version of the Zep’s “Houses of the Holy” that sounded like a Captain Beefheart outtake.

Eggplant was only scarcely less engaging, with not so great an ensemble spark, but some well-crafted, pleasingly quirky songwriting and cliche-free guitar excursions.