POP MUSIC REVIEWS : Dada: Beyond the Gimmickry at Coach House

Beware of rookie bands bearing gimmicks.

Dada arrived at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano Tuesday night with a gimmicky name and a radio hit, “Dizz Knee Land,” that seems awfully calculating in its use of U2/R.E.M. riff slinging, fashionably ironic ‘90s attitude and the “I’m going to Disneyland!” ad slogan.

But don’t be so on guard as to let a few gimmicks overshadow real substance. Serving up most of its debut album, “Puzzle,” along with liberty-taking covers of songs by the Beatles and the Mamas and the Papas, Dada offered ‘60s-informed, harmony-sweetened rock classicism, coupled with power-trio rock moves that were nimble and diversified without sacrificing impact. Bassist Joie Calio, drummer Phil Leavitt and Michael Gurley, Dada’s exceptional guitarist, also displayed a winning band personality, full of easy camaraderie and obvious shared pleasure in playing.

In short, Dada was a welcome break from the plodding, glowering, balefully bellowing mastodons of the great Northwest. Listening to Dada, one was reminded that rock music, like Alice, belongs in Wonderland, not in Chains. If it takes a bit of gimmickry to gain a forum for a more expansive rock vision, well, we can live with that.