Pop rebellion begins at home

Eight years into its life as a refuge for fans who like their music largely the way they heard it on ‘60s and ‘70s radio, the Los Angeles edition of International Pop Overthrow is more about the bands next-door than global reach.

About three-quarters of the 170-plus acts in the annual festival, which starts its 17-day run Friday at clubs throughout the Southland, are local. Promoter David Bash has only the franchise’s success to credit for that. “I knew we would draw fewer bands from outside L.A. when I took the festival on the road,” says Bash, who now stages his showcases in cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Liverpool, Britain.

With bands from Europe and elsewhere in the U.S. opting to play nearby festivals, Bash says his L.A. shows instead intend to strengthen the sense of community in the pop underground. “There are so many fans, and so many bands, that aren’t aware of each other,” he says. “If IPO can do anything to open people’s eyes, I’ll be pretty gratified.”

Players still have come from afar -- among the more promising are Checkpoint Charley from Florida, the Carolines from Portland, Ore., and the Samurai Seven from Oxford, England. But mainly the shows offer local tunesmithery, whether from youngsters such as Blackout (10-year-olds from the Valley) or from veterans such as Sparklejets UK, Walter Clevenger and Maple Mars.

Sprinkled onto IPO’s crowded bills this year are a handful of indie rock bands (including the Slow Signal Fade and Run Run Run on Tuesday), an attempt, Bash says, “to keep changing with the times.” And, as always, attendees receive the three-disc IPO compilation with the price of admission.

-- Kevin Bronson

International Pop Overthrow, various venues, Friday through Aug. 7. Covers $8 or less. www.internationalpopoverthrow.com