Don't let the XTC-reference fool you: Generals & Majors is not for Poindexters. A quintet formed from the remnants of more than one chewed-up NYC buzz band, Generals & Majors may not set the bar very high, but they sure clear it with conviction. Like your riffs huge? Your front men shirtless, buff and willing to work an *entire room* rather than just some dinky little stage? Your riffs huge? Meet one of your favorite new bands.

But, while they may be simple, they're by no means dumb. Most bands mining the tried-and-true, Stooges-MC5 vibe understand the need for hooks and some sly humor. Yet, these guys actually come through the goods, and, best of all, it rarely devolves into shtick or complete obviousness. Okay, it does occasionally, but still, you get the idea this band would sound like this even if it wasn't particularly cool to do so (then again, has it ever been not cool to do so?)

Generals & Majors' CMJ appearance this year - Friday, October 19th - is a bit far-flung, sharing a bill with The Wildhearts and Children of the Unicorn (kindred spirits it would seem, based solely on the band names) at CLUB EXIT, also known as "Greenpoint's Other Polish Disco."