The Aquabats: Having a Masked Ball : The Aquabats: “The Return of the Aquabats” Horchata Productions (**)

Move over, Knott’s and Disneyland; the Orange County grass-roots alternative-rock scene is on its way to developing its own kiddie draw, the Theme Park of the Silly Costume Bands.

First came Supernova, whose dopey, space-suited punk-pop spreads true catchy charm and hits with a respectable crunch. Now we have the Aquabats, playing skittery ska music, dressing in outfits that look like something out of a Buck Rogers serial and debuting with a sunny little CD that’s as disposable as gum wrappers.

The Aquabats are zippy, not heavy, with minimal punk mixed in with their ska. The musicianship is solid, with a wry, punchy horn section, clipping guitar rhythms and goofy keyboard colorings.

Singer Christian Jacobs declaims most of the lyrics in a half-sung, half-spoken voice that’s confidently theatrical but ultimately not tuneful enough. After a while, the Aquabats sound like the B-52’s would if they were foolish enough to let Fred Schneider do all the singing.

The further the Aquabats stray from the realities of this world, the better off they are. “Martian Girl,” about a dinner date with an extraterrestrial hungry enough to nosh on her escort, and the mock-heroic “Ska Robot Army” take the right zany tack. Songs lampooning punk-rock violence, mocking TV addicts or waxing nostalgic for lost childhood are just too normal.

If it’s going to compete with the big boys, Silly Costume Band Land will require more imaginative, way-out attractions than the Aquabats have sketched here.

(Available from the Aquabats, P.O. Box 9784, Brea, CA 92622, or horchatap@aol.com via e-mail.)

* The Aquabats, Supernova, Mr. Mirainga and Jigsaw play an all-ages show tonight at Old World Hall, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach. 8 p.m. $10. (714) 991-2055 (recorded information) or (714) 895-8020 (venue).

*

Ratings range from * (poor) to **** (excellent), with three stars denoting a solid recommendation.