Over the years, though, the Bats have endured countless lineup changes (even Blink 182s Travis Barker picked up the sticks for them at one point), as well as enduring a dramatic shifting of the musical landscape. As a result, theyve all but dropped the ska element from their music, replacing noisy brass and staccato rhythms with nerd-rock style synthesizers and heavier guitar work. And oddly, the change seems to fit their personas as geeky defenders of the free world even better. The group is still touring off their genre-shifting 2005 record, Charge!!, and is busy working on their fifth release. The Aquabats and their ravenous fan club, the Cadets will hit the Culture Room tonight at 7:30 (3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale). Tickets cost $17. Visit cultureroom.net.
Fri., Nov. 14, 2008