Local Grooves

The Infinite Xs

The Infinite Xs (Chainsaw)

As queer-punk poster children for split personalities – sonically speaking, that is – the Infinite Xs not only divide their lineup between San Francisco and Los Angeles, they also split songwriting responsibilities and mic duties between three dyke-rock luminaries. The result is a band with a trio of stylistically and lyrically divergent voices: the Little Deaths' Whitney Skillcorn salutes the sheer power of pop; Jody Bleyle (Team Dresch) emotes all over her diary-pink anthems; and Tamala Poljak, of the inexplicably underrated Longstocking, gives the Xs infinite reasons to get down and do all 16 dances. Each sticks close to her past band's style, so it's not surprising that their self-titled debut often sounds less like a collection of full-band collaborations than a series of three individuals' self-penned compositions. Even so, the foursome – which also includes the Automaticans' Scotty Walsh on drums – has recorded an exhilarating album that's surprisingly cohesive, held together less by an overarching style than a lust for life paralleled by few other bands. Produced by Versus's Richard Balayut, the 12 tracks are all pep-talk rock and unbridled enthusiasm: "I believe in girls and love all the time," Bleyle declares, and Poljak reminds listeners to "remember who you are / You can laugh and laugh as you are." So listen up and let the Infinite Xs help you find your own voice(s). (Jimmy Draper)

Camper Van Chadbourne

Psychadelidoowop (Magnetic/Swamp Room)

Camper Van Chadbourne dates back to 1985, when sometimes-inspired iconoclast Eugene Chadbourne first brought his guitar onstage to sit in with the equally if differently iconoclastic Camper Van Beethoven, which included, at the time, Jonathan Segel on violin and Victor Krummenacher (now Bay Guardian art director) on bass. The casual collaboration between those three continued live and in the studio until 1991 and was rekindled recently to record this album. Playing acoustic instruments (and adding a bundle of found sounds that apparently were collected on a trip abroad) and using folk and rock songs as a platform to build on (except when they tackle Miles Davis's "Milestones," which they do not once but twice), they play a kind of structured improvisation that allows each voice in the trio to fully flower. The Davis song is musically the most interesting and has sparkling moments both in the studio version (which features Graham Connah on DX-7) and live (with Walter Malli on soprano saxophone). For my money, though, the best moments come on simpler tunes, like Phil Ochs's "Knock on the Door." There's a moment midway through the song when the three players ease into a comfortable but subtly electrifying conversation. These are veteran players, but it's Segel, on violin, mandolin, and an assortment of Asian instruments, who really stands out. Camper Van Chadbourne plays with Dandeline Sat/16, Starry Plough, Berk. (510) 841-2082. (Joe Hayden)