MP3: The Sham, "Roller Skates" -- Preview of Its Show at Off Broadway Tonight!

I was mighty impressed with promising young local band the Sham the only time I saw them. Apparently I'm not the only one: The band is opening for White Rabbits at the Record Bar in Kansas City on June 1.

Anyway, in concert the quartet treads similar strummy-rock ground the Strokes did a few years back, but with much more verve and a decided lack of snotty boredom. "Roller Skates," a new studio creation, finds the Sham channeling the crinkly, wiry atmospheres of Modest Mouse, while Chris Phillips' vocals echo (but don't ape) Built to Spill's Doug Martsch and all sorts of indie dudes who can actually carry a tune.

Hear for yourself right here!

MP3: The Sham, "Roller Skates"

-- Annie Zaleski