It’s difficult to describe the sound of a band like Wheels on Fire without resorting to cheap comparisons: They sound a bit like Beggars Banquet-era Rolling Stones; they’ve opened for King Khan and the Shrines; reviews tend to compare them to Memphis garage rockers The Oblivians. And it’s no surprise, since the group plays a mid-tempo, soul- and country-inflected version of raw garage rock, heavy on tambourine and organ. But while the parallels are accurate, the Athens, Ohio, group brings enough skill and conviction to the genre to make it their own. And as their new Fat Possum album Get Famous! demonstrates, they also write catchy songs. Fans of loud rock ’n’ roll will be pleased to hear that they’re playing with local faves The Tits and Heavy Cream.
Fri., June 19, 9 p.m., 2009
