Keepers of the Carpet might be the most successful band ever to have originated in an abandoned hog barn. In 1996, the quartet started jamming at bassist Zack Smith's parents' farm in northern Iowa, developing its fuzzed-out goofball nerd-rock sound. At Californo's, it'll be more goof than fuzz; the venue hosts acoustic Storytellers-type performances. There's no need to explain the Star Wars-referencing "Luke, I Am Your Father," but there's probably a tall tale behind KOTC's self-titled debut album's opening lines: You and your half made a big laugh at the party last night/But it wasn't so great when you lost your cool and I fucked your date. Everyone knows geeks aren't allowed to score, much less engage in date-snatching.
