Lemonheads: Energetic and Personal

Band: The Lemonheads.

Personnel: Evan Dando, guitar, vocals; Jesse (JPJ) Peretz, bass; Corey Loog Brennan, guitar; Mark Newman, drums.

History: Boston schoolmates Dando, Peretz and Ben Deily formed the Lemonheads in 1986. After a few months the group released an independent EP, “Laughing All the Way to the Cleaners,” gained underground radio exposure and added drummer Doug Trachten. The group released its debut album, “Hate Your Friends,” on the independent Taang! label in June, 1987. Trachten left the group shortly thereafter and was replaced by John Strohm. This lineup toured the United States twice and recorded the album “Creator” in June of ’88. But following an appearance at a Boston battle of the bands, the Lemonheads fell apart, a victim of scene infighting and charges of selling out, according to the band. Last January, Deily, Dando and Peretz decided to try again, adding Brennan. Using some new material plus old outtakes, producer Tom Hamilton assembled the recent Lemonheads album, “Lick.” Included is a remake of Suzanne Vega’s “Luka” that has created a buzz in college radio/alternative rock circles. Deily recently left the group for a solo career and was replaced by Newman.

Sound: Though the Lemonheads occasionally sound as if they’ve spent study hour absorbing the almighty college-rock trinity of R.E.M./Replacements/Husker Du, the group’s buzz-saw pop has its own fresh energy and personalized turns. “Cazzo di Ferro” unleashes a stream of Italian invective about Raymond Burr’s “Ironside,” while its noted remake of “Luka” comes on rock-solid before deliberately disintegrating. “Circle of One,” with its mobile augmented chords and drawling vocal, provides a musically provocative path away from standard punk procedure. Tough, moody and often slyly humorous, the Lemonheads supply a twist of wry.

Shows: Thursday at Bogart’s, Saturday at Club Lingerie.