Jetboy Jettisons L.A. Bad-Boy Attitude

Unlike their contemporaries on the L.A. scene such as Faster Pussycat and L.A. Guns, Jetboy carries no seamy sense of danger. The band’s Friday show at the Country Club--the first of a two-night stint--was an amusing excursion into good-time rock ‘n’ roll.

Instead of viewing the blues as a means to an end, Jetboy uses it to strip the polish off its commercial hard-rock leanings, helping make the upbeat, rough-hewn melodies stand out. Mohawked singer Mickey Finn’s manic, antic presence kept the hourlong set rolling. His personality-plus vocals are better suited to comic turns like “Don’t Mess With My Hair” or the anthemic “Feel the Shake” than to moodier numbers like “Hometown Blues.” However, with their down-and-dirty approach, guitarists Fernie Rod and Billy Rowe usually added what Finn lacked.

Jetboy’s lively persona and lack of guile are a refreshing change from the bad-boy attitude that has become Hollywood’s norm. Even at this early stage of their career--their MCA debut album is fresh out of the box--they know that there’s a lot to be said for uncomplicated youthful exuberance.