Sketches

Back in my day, when I had an onion on my belt, we engaged in much mockery of certain, largely British bands. As confirmed acolytes of classic rock, we found it ridiculous for musicians to wear suits and ties. They had product in their hair. They even wore makeup! To us, they might as well have put on poodle skirts and bras and been done with it. And the music employed dream-slow tempos, male harmonies, "orchestra hits" and other signs of irredeemable dissolution. But a slightly younger set took this electronics-enabled music for granted, as the background of their lives. Those kids are now forming bands left and right, unashamed to embrace their echo-box heritage, and some of it sounds pretty good, like DC's own the Sketches.

" We listen to a lot of that 'Brit-pop' stuff and are very influenced by it," says Sketches frontman Charlie Bernardo, who formed the band that includes two of his brothers. "I love the melodic quality and the mix of ambience in the production... dark and melodic." He cites a long list of influences, mostly pondhoppers: the Beatles, Queen, Oasis, Radiohead, Coldplay, U2, Aqualung, Keane, Aha, Talking Heads, the Cure, Joy Division. Interpreting that heritage for the 21st century takes dedication. "We are the hardest working band I know. I will not apologize for taking pride in that. We eat, drink, sleep and lose sleep over music. It's an obsession. A healthy addiction."

The results are polished, original-sounding pop-rock songs, with enough indie tinge to mark them as definitely of today. Their June release, Secret Alphabets, is dark and melodic in its own right and shows a group that has gelled since their 2005 demo. "The sound of the band has evolved a lot in the sense of the musicianship," says Bernardo. "I think the band has gotten very good at taking something complicated and making it relatable and vice versa."

As for playing New New Wave in Fugazi turf, Bernardo is philosophical. "We've met many musicians in the punk and hardcore scene who have expressed a lot of admiration," he says. "We should all be reminded that Marvin Gaye is from here! Talk about real musical inspiration." And of course the Sketches are part of a modern DC scene that goes far beyond hardcore. "There is no shortage of talent. Bands like Middle Distance Runner, Army of Me, Exit Clov... I love Georgie James! Great songwriting, singing and a killer live show. There are so many good bands out there that people have never heard of — we're just one of them, but that will change if we have anything to do with it."

The band is looking forward to breaking new ground in 2008. Manny Bernardo, ex-Hard Tomorrows member, is moving to all piano and spinning off guitar duties to a yet-to-be-named new member. And the Sketches are starting their own label. "You will see a lot more of that in the future, and as a result, a more even playing field when it comes to what music sees the light of day."

For more info on the Sketches, visit www.thesketches.com.