When Something Fierce finally took the stage around midnight, their infectious and catchy tunes quickly quelled the laments of our upcoming 7 a.m. shift. There's probably not another band that wears its influences so brazenly on its sleeves while still managing to create quality original music. The Something Fierce numbers are heavily beholden to The Clash and The Buzzcocks, and frontman Stephen Garcia has stated that Don't Be So Cruel was made with a 1979 feel behind it.

Despite being drenched in familiar tones, the songs the trio creates always manage to sound fresh. The arrangements are smart, and the hints and flourishes employed signal a band that really knows both the sound they want and how to embellish it without breaking from its foundation.

It's sort of silly to declare that these songs translate very well to a live setting - what punk band doesn't, after all - but Something Fierce brings an undeniable energy to the stage. They're clearly having a lot of fun, and that in turn makes the already bright tunes something that cannot be rejected. It's the little things, like Garcia breaking a string during the opening chords of Teenage Ruins - only the band's second song - but simply playing the whole ditty anyways before stopping to switch guitars.

The trio ripped through an eleven-song set, sprinkling in some of the new Don't Be So Cruel tracks with seasoned mainstays like "Hey Houston," "Modern Girl" and "On Your Own" before finishing with "Come For The Bastards." Concertgoers hopped along in raucous fashion, with a few crowd members hoisted in the air on several occasions. When all was said and done, smiles abounded and we were more than happy to add another notch to Houston's belt of quality local releases.

Personal Bias: We're quick to admit to Something Fierce fandom. One of the better bands in town, they've managed to gain a fan base that spreads not only across the country, but also throughout Europe.

The Crowd: Punks with patches, and punks without - Chris Wertz of Hollywood Black in the latter category. Show regulars, new kids, and Chris Longwood from Sugar Hill. But not enough people for a band this good. Criminally under-attended.

Overheard In The Crowd: "I miss The Oven."

Random Notebook Dump: Local photographer Jack Potts of Bohemian Photography is here with his two sons, who both shot The Hangouts set. They're eleven and eight.