Roots Rock Ribs

What do Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, T-Bone Walker, and Johnny Ramone have in common? They're just a few of the influences of Rick Rossano, lead guitarist for West Palm Beach's the Dillengers. Unlike the genre-bending musical wannabes found in the swampy pit of the Sunshine State, this semihidden gem of a trio blends surf, jazz, punk, rock, Ennio Morricone, and the kitchen sink without sounding contrived or overly slick. Last year, the long-standing group released Instro-Mania on Steve Vai's Favored Nations imprint, the sole roots-rock surfabilly punks in the label's sea of guitar mathematicians. Need further convincing? Without ever leaving the state, the Dillengers have opened for the Band, Little Richard, the Dixie Chicks, Johnny Winter, NRBQ, Marshall Crenshaw, Los Straitjackets, and many others. Did I mention that they play every Sunday at an open-air barbecue joint in Delray? Smokin'! Pull up a chair, and don't forget a bib -- this one' s gonna be saucy.

The Dillengers play at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at South Shores Tavern and Patio Bar, 502 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth. The show's free. Call 561-547-7656. They play again at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at Elwood's Dixie Bar-B-Q, 301 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. This one's free too. Call 561-272-RIBS.