Backstage Pass

The Puma Store at Union Square couldn’t have been a worse match for the Silversun Pickups’ ‘90s-rock-drenched guitar atmospherics, yet somehow the L.A. quartet made it work. With people smashed together amid the Chinese-slipper running shoes and these fashion-forward boots that were made for walking, singer/guitarist Brian Aubert still commanded the crowd’s attention Thursday afternoon with a strong set of songs from the gorgeous “Carnavas” (Dangerbird) album. Though the album is a mix of Smashing Pumpkin prettiness and My Bloody Valentine spaciness, the Silversun Pickups live show is far more raw and in-your-face, especially "Comeback Kid" from last year's "Pikul" EP.

Aubert also managed to keep things light, asking store workers if they had enough security, “because there sure are a lot of shoes here.” When babies began to cry in the audience, he asked, “Could we turn down the babies? We’re doing a rock show here.”

Quite a rock show, in fact. One of the best of the CMJ Music Marathon.

Listen to "Well Thought Out Twinkles" here