There is no doubt the phrase "The Strokes of Seattle" will eventually make its way into reviews, interviews, airwaves and news bites featuring The Lashes. The band will also have to ride through a storm of comparisons to Hot Hot Heat as well.

However, The Lashes are so persuasively vulgar you'll be forced to think of them as originals, at least in personality. "I might as well pull my dick out," exclaims Ben Clark, or Ben Lashes to his fans and pretty much everyone in the greater Seattle area (lead vocals), trying to explain his embarrassment resulting from the sound issues, "and tell you to look at it."

But let's go over the facts. The Lashes are a fashionable, young, thin, big-haired group of hotties that play punk-lite, 80s new wave influenced music that's sure to get the attention of one legendary Nina Blackwood and the leftover party-goers asking, "Where's the coke?"

But that's just on the surface. Apart from having melodies (The Beatles anyone?) and synth counter melodies (uh, New Order?) so familiar you swear you've heard it before, The Lashes manage to carve out their own style with their live act. Witty banter, messy dancing and crude audience provoking seem to give them the kind of pleasure that only Mr. Burns would be proud of. Surprisingly, all of this energy came from an intimate performance at the A-list club, Star Shoes.

The night started out as a rather sedate and ordinary bar scene on a Monday night in Hollywood before the band took the matchbox stage. A scattering of beautiful people were holding drinks and conversations to DJ Justin Sterling who was spinning a mix of Indie radio hits including a song from, of all bands, Keane.

When I walked into Star Shoes and surveyed the scene, the attire of the crowd was a sure indicator of the type of music I was about to hear live. All the boys and girls looked like they were imported from a Blondie tribute band audition, flaunting indie rock attitude and do's. Clark wore five belts (white, leather, spiked, electronic marquee and a utility) and was rocking a Punky Brewster look with a dark, blue do-rag tied around his shin. The band was dressed in a weight camouflaging black which makes it a little redundant for Clark to have asked, "Should we be skinnier?"

This is LA! Of course you should be skinnier. But there was a subtle difference in this night's crowd. Unlike most Hollywood shows all those that lingered around came to see the band and not to be seen. It was an invasion of people in it for the music--a thought that's scrace to enter the minds of most of the herd who roll on the Cahuenga block. But, that's what The Lashes are capable of. It was mini-showcase for fans although, Clark opened his mouth again to question who was in the audience that needed impressing. "Do we need to dance for you?"

I felt a little embarrassed as I realized that person maybe me, since was the only one holding a pen. But what does it take to impress a journalist or fan?

Did the band entertain? Yes, The Lashes have that covered. Was the music catchy or easy to digest? Again, yes, The Lashes aren't the most profound lyricists ("Please, please, please let me get what I want") but they are clever, irreverent and earnest in delivery. The music at times seems too familiar with hooks plucked from a range of old and new bands. "Sometimes The Sun" takes from The Strokes and "Come Back to Me" is laced with Ramones.

The Lashes are destined to make it in Los Angeles and the indie scene. Even though the performance at Star Shoes had oodles of sound issues, "People might start to think we are a feedbackie band," stated Jacob Hoffman (keyboards). Make no mistake, The Lashes are a pop band and they don't want you to forget that. As the band played a special birthday song to close their set for one of the members of opening band The Divorce one of Clark's infamous belts (this one of the electronic marquee variety) got switched on with the scrolling red dot words "IT'S OK TO LIKE THE LASHES" parading on Clark's pelvis and the stage. A not-so-subtle attempt to remind you to have fun, and of course fall in love with The Lashes. If that doesn't work, getting a spot on Jonesy's JukeBox (hosted by Sex Pistols' Steve Jones) should win them favorable attention, too.

The Lashes are signed to Red Ink/Columbia with their debut album Get It to be released February 21, 2006.