New Wave Gospel

Maybe you missed its Cinco de Mayo show at SpiderPussy, but if you like dangerously catchy, keyboard-driven tunes, Elkland is your band. The synth-poppers formerly known as the Goat Explosion bring their brand of hook-laden electro back to South Florida after finishing a stint opening for Erasure. Formed in the backwaters of upstate New York and weaned on evangelical gospel, the band shunned its roots and instead consumed a heavy diet of Depeche Mode, the Smiths, Joy Division, and other 1980s English new wave. They eventually grabbed the notice of NYC A&R men, signed to Capitol, and released their first full-length, Golden,earlier this year. Sporting the requisite semi-asymmetrical hairdos and faux-hawks, these pretty boys put on a performance that belies their obvious youth, prancing, dancing, and rocking across the stage in fits of melody.

Elkland plays at 11 p.m. Friday, October 14, at the Pawn Shop, 1222 NE Second Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $15. Call 305-373-3511. Elkland also appears at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at Respectable Street, 518 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Tickets cost $8. call 561-832-9999.