Welcoming the Uninvited : The quartet, back from touring with a new album, returns for a gig at Nicholby’s.

“The Uninvited” are much more than a 1944 ghost movie starring Ray Milland, red lights in the rear-view mirror, telemarketers calling in the bottom of the ninth inning, or the biggie--parents home early.

The Uninvited is also one of the best up-and-coming rock bands, hardly news to local rock fans.

The band makes its long-awaited return to the area with a Friday gig at Nicholby’s in Ventura. Just another eight-year overnight sensation, the Uninvited has been touring with famous rock stars, which is why it hasn’t had a local gig in a few months.

“The Uninvited” on Atlantic might be the album of the year, probably because it’s actually a debut album plus a greatest hits compilation, all in one.

Before getting its deal, the quartet toured relentlessly, had a sizable mailing list and released three albums on its own label. The new CD contains 10 classic Uninvited songs such as “Down in Flames” and “Ordinary Man.”

The band, led by the Taylor brothers, John and Steve, writes clever songs, plus the members harmonize well. Steve’s electric banjo is also a good thing, and the band has more than 60 original songs.

The Taylor brothers started playing acoustic music in the mid-’80s in San Diego, then relocated to Los Angeles in 1988 and formed a band named the Bogarts. The Uninvited has been playing inviting music since 1990.

The Uninvited will open for the Call, the Next Big Thing in the early ‘80s. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Michael Been, the Call scored with such hits as “The Walls Came Down” and “I Believe.” The band is back with a new album, “To Heaven and Back.”

The Uninvited and the Call at Nicholby’s, 404 E. Main St., Ventura, tonight at 9. $8; (805) 653-2320.

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Kowabunga! It’s time again for Ventura’s swap meet by the sea, the 13th Annual California Beach Festival. In addition to merchants hawking their wares on the promenade and frightening all the cute gray squirrels on the rocks, there will be plenty of music.

The headliner this year could not be more appropriate--Dick Dale & the Del-Tones.

Returning to this gig for the third time, “The King of the Surf Guitar” may live out in the desert these days, but he sure helped put surf music on the map in the early ‘60s. At one point Dale had three songs in the Top 10--”Surf Beat,” “Miserlou” and “Peppermint Man.” And, “Let’s Go Trippin,”’ released two months before the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ ” in 1961, is considered to be the first surf record.

Dale’s biggie was “Miserlou,” a classic rock instrumental. He has never stopped performing, even though he did stop surfing several years ago because of all the icky stuff in the water.

The band got a midcareer jump start when “Miserlou” was prominently featured in the 1994 hit “Pulp Fiction.” The band will provide the party-ending soundtrack Sunday at 3 p.m.

1998 California Beach Festival at the promenade near the pier in Ventura, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. $6 adults, $4 seniors and children, under 12, free. (805) 677-3955.

Saturday: The Convertibles play classic rock and Chuck Rio & the Champs play oldies, 11 p.m.; the Eliminators play surf music and Lil’ Elmo & the Cosmos play oldies, 3 p.m.

Sunday: The Pink Cadillacs play oldies, 10 a.m.; Blowin’ Smoke plays Motown music, noon; Red Elvises play rockabilly, 12:30 p.m.; Dick Dale & the Del-Tones play surf music and the Swing Kings play swing, 3 p.m.

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And, finally, the Bombay Bar & Grill, just two blocks from the beach in Ventura, will hold its own band shindig, coinciding with the California Beach Festival. Festivities begin each day at 3 p.m. Here’s the lineup.

Saturday: Bloody Mary Morning, J.C. & Live Version, Tijuana Hound Dogs, Custom Made and No Regrets.

Sunday: Tijuana Hound Dogs, Custom Made, No Regrets, Dirtbag. The cover will be $3 beginning at 3 p.m. and will gradually increase to $6 by 8 p.m. The Bombay is at 143 California St. Call (805) 643-4404.