BUZZ BANDS

Here’s the skinny

Numerous bands are riding the new new wave these days, but few are as fun as the Von Steins -- a skinny-tied quintet of twentysomethings from Anaheim. They’d barely made it out of the playpen when the ‘80s were in full swing, but their affection for bands like Depeche Mode and New Order shines on synth-driven pop-punk ditties like “Cosmic” and “Wavelength.” Judging from the group’s name, Falco may also have been an influence. Obsessed with Germany (though they have never visited), all five of the Von Steins have (unofficially) changed their surnames to align with the band’s moniker. Formed in 1998, the band recorded an album recently, but contractual difficulties prevented its release. Still, copies are making the rounds, even finding their way to KROQ’s Rodney Bingenheimer, who’s played them on his show. The group hopes to release an EP in late November. It’s better to see them live anyway (Monday at the Blue Cafe in Long Beach), and watch the spastic contortionist antics of lead singer Gunther.

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Going for a spin

DJs live the jet-set life today, traveling around the world for gigs. Several of L.A.’s top spin-meisters are heading to Acapulco for the ACA World Sound Festival Nov. 1-3. Christopher Lawrence, DJ Dan, Jason Bentley and Marques Wyatt, as well as fellow Angelenos Beck and Ozomatli, are among those lending their talents to the event, whose proceeds benefit the Million Wishes Latin America Charity Fund. L.A. should be representin’ in Acapulco, as the festival is the brainchild of Angeleno Michael Hahn, who started Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt in L.A., then took his entrepreneurial skills to the world of music. Two years ago, the event attracted more than 60,000 dance music fans (last year’s event was postponed because of Sept. 11). The highlight? Maybe the fact that DJ Danny Tenaglia made it at all. Tenaglia got lost between Mexico City and Acapulco, and spent 12 hours on a bus, before finally taking the stage with friend Carl Cox. The two embraced and spun on.

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It’s a dye job

It wasn’t the sake, that was Ward Dotson on keyboards last weekend at Zen Sushi. The Liquor Giants frontman is the latest addition to the Blondes -- although they were called Eagle before some other guitar band with a real similar name served them with a cease and desist order. The Blondes’ album, “Summer Strut,” is out on a German label, Middle Class Pig, and being shopped to domestic indies. A couple more local gigs are planned before the band tours Europe in November.

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Quickly

Its new album, “Can You See the Music,” won’t be released until mid-December, but regular Short Stop player DJ Me DJ You is already promoting, including a showcase Wednesday in New York City that coincides with the CMJ Music Marathon 2002.... Speaking of New York City, pop scene regulars Receiver, the Dons and Maple Mars will head the L.A. contingent when the Big Apple edition of International Pop Overthrow kicks off Dec. 3....Rock noir outfit Univac marks the release of a new EP with a show Friday at the Derby....Side project? Bon Voyage has a new album, “The Right Amount,” out on Tooth & Nail. It’s the third release by Starflyer 59’s Jason Martin featuring his wife, Julie, on vocals.

Compiled by Kevin Bronson, with Susan Carpenter and Steve Baltin.

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