POP MUSIC REVIEWS : Sponge Squeezes Out Happy Vibes

Sponge is riding the third or, maybe even, the fourth wave of alternative rock bands rising out of garages and into the money. While entertaining for now, most of these acts will go the way of ‘80s new wave stars whose names we no longer remember. Just who did that song “Turning Japanese?”

Category-wise, Sponge is a Jane’s Addiction for mass consumption, which is different from a Nirvana-for-the-masses or a Sex-Pistols-with-a-smile group. The Detroit quintet’s music is kinda mystical, kinda edgy and kinda predictable.

Saturday at the Roxy, Sponge played with energy and enthusiasm, delivering a tight and solid set--as fun and familiar as your favorite rerun. Singer Vinnie trembled and unleashed tribalesque war cries for art’s sake, but also shook hands with the audience and laid open crucifixion style for stadium rock sake.

The band played sure-to-please pop garnished with fuzzy guitar and sometimes daring rhythm changes. The audience was happy, the band was happy, and the venue, which was packed, must have been happy, too. After all, that’s what alternative rock is all about now--it’s a people-pleasing thing.