The Ponys

The land of bears and bulls has birthed a new breed of animal. Wild and untamed, the Ponys mean to trample an overcrowded garage scene. And like the group's hometown Cubs, you can't help rooting for this lineup. With a signature blend of short and punchy guitar-driven ditties, these purebreds made up for their relative anonymity with an undeniable catchiness that still allowed for some baring of teeth on their debut, Laced With Romance. A year later, these young stallions return to Lawrence with their follow up, Celebration Castle, plus a new addition to the stable, 90 Day Men guitarist Brian Case, to help smooth out some of the rough edges that haunted the band's shaky-legged beginnings. But even if this Chicago foursome doesn't save rock and roll, they will celebrate it with a full sleeve of influences, from the Ramones to Black Sabbath.