The Ks embody the sounds of the letter K, crunching and crying out songs of work, heartbreak and lust. They focus like no one playing today and sound at times like James Brown meeting Pavement (more accurately, Stephen Malkmus fronting the JBs); late period Elvis Presley and The New Pornographers, Tom Waits and the Clash, The Beatles and The Pixies. This band effortlessly cops whatever sounds (The Rolling Stones and Spoon. It's endless.) seem appropriate for their latest adventures in rock. Though they incorporate theatrical set-pieces and a band actor into a shape-shifting, costume changing live show, this is no ironic cabaret; it's rock and roll. It would be meat and potatoes, were it not a fine steak dinner. The songs are strong and the band is tight. It's an old school extravaganza, pulsing with wit, depth and soul.

Singer and writer Dan Kilian, who came to New York after some years toiling in obscurity in the overlooked yet still "important" Louisville band The Uglies, formed TheKs with guitarist Ray Beyda. They then overhauled the band bringing on board Jeff Gordon on bass, drummer Ian Thomas, and Jon Mossberg on saxophones, keyboard, effects, percussion and back-up vocals to round out this tightly stitched Frankenstein's monster of entertainment. They are TheKs. Book them. Go see their show and buy their products. CDs of their albums Red Numbers Rising Faster, Cant Get It Together and Skunk can be found at www.cdbaby.com.