Minestrone Freak-out

You'd be hard-pressed to find a group that makes more overt concessions to pop than Texas-based four-piece Bowling for Soup. That said, you'd also have a difficult time finding a band with as much panache and flair. The group specializes in crafting harmonized pop-punk ballads that are carefully put together in comedic fashion. The video for "When We Die" stars the Six Million Dollar Man himself, Lee Majors, and the video for "High School Never Ends" plays up the band's good-time flair while still hitting home on topics like not fitting in and adult inadequacy. The band walks this fine line without succumbing to the useless irony of, say, Weezer's "Buddy Holly" or other nerdcore follies. Most of their music is just harmless post-punk banter, but Bowling for Soup pulls it off in hilarious fashion.

Bowling for Soup plays Friday, April 27, at Revolution, 200 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Quietdrive, the Fabulous, and Ronnie Day are also on the bill. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and tickets cost $14. Call 954-727-0950, or visit www.jointherevolution.net.