The Dead Enders

If the Barbusters — the fictitious Cleveland band fronted by Joan Jett and Michael J. Fox in the locally filmed Light of Day — had been a real group, they would have sounded like the Dead Enders. The new Cleveland garage-punk group is basically the Subtones with guitarist Holly Berry on vocals and more emphasis on the rock element of punk. Berry and lead guitarist CJ Gunn also play in the Ramones tribute band the Pinheads, so "Hell Ride" grooves along similar early-'60s influences. But they're filtered through a rawer, faster CBGB's frame of reference. Gunn's lyrical leads and soloing carry the song every bit as much as the double-time tempo, triumphant melody, and "na-na-na" chorus. And the slower "I'm So Sick" will get fists in the air so fast, you can practically smell the Pabst spilling.