Over the weekend, The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Highway, hosted a self-proclaimed “Pop-Rock Night.”

The four advertised bands were Farewell To Distraction, The Cobra Punchers, The Boy Who Thought, and Love Me Electric. Unfortunately, only two of those bands showed up to play. The Cobra Punchers were M.I.A., and the Orland Park natives and momentum-gaining Love Me Electric canceled to play a show at The Metro in Chicago the night before.

Hailing from Geneva, Farewell To Distraction opened with a combination of traditional, catchy pop-punk originals and fierce alternative songs. At times, the cohesiveness of the band playing was a little rough around the edges.

The band should be applauded for not being a carbon copy of every local group who specializes in the genre. The lead singer has a voice reminiscent of Dexter Holland from The Offspring, which adds to the band’s arsenal.

So many bands today have singers that stick with formulaic high pitched vocals and inaudible screams. The most surprising element of the show was the maturity and technique that went with Bryson Gabrel’s, of Farewell to Distraction, lead guitar work.

There was no simplicity in his playing, as there often were many psychedelic solos coupled with exceptional timing. Even though the final product was nothing to get too excited over, Farewell To Distraction proved to be a credible opening act.

The second and final act was The Boy Who Thought. This group saved the show from becoming stale with the absence of Love Me Electric. An eclectic selection of songs, including the title “Barfight,” shows the band is indulgent enough not to take themselves too seriously, and it pays off.

The quintet brought a sense of stage presence and even professionalism while playing their 45-minute set. The lead singer and drummer both laid down dueling vocals through almost every song. Even by implementing a cowbell in a song, The Boy Who Thought stayed focused and steady throughout their entire set.

The dance/rock craze of the last couple years has fizzled out and it is exciting to see a new and unique approach to the genre. All of the songs featured have an upbeat and extremely fast tempo, which at another venue, may have caused some serious dancing.

Unfortunately, the night was overshadowed by Love Me Electric’s decision to not play a local show. The draw at The House was comprised of less than 25 people and consisted mainly of band members or family. Farewell to Distraction and The Boy Who Thought, however, still put on a decent show despite the loss of other alternative rockers.

The Boy Who Thought will play DeKalb next at Otto’s Sept. 24.

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