"I don't usually like girl singers," offers Jenine Cali, rhythm guitarist and vocalist for The day after... The band's bassist, K.C. Wells, adds, "When it comes to songwriting, Jenine's vocals are a priority." But rather than trying to take on the feel of girl-rock, the band believes its sound is more in keeping with male-fronted bands like Foo Fighters, Thursday and Finch.

"We also listen to a lot of emo, but I don't think that plays much into our sound," says Wells. Cali clarifies, "If any of our songs sound emo or girly, it is totally an accident. We don't need a category; it's just music."

During its last show at the Castle, the band did a great job sharing the stage, but Cali's vocals were the priority. There are no slackers in this quartet; everyone brings something to the table. Lead guitarist Trevor Warnick, whose influences include Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, tears up the six string, but he's also restrained and doesn't show off with excessive hot licks. Drummer Uffe Moller is no slouch either; together with the band's bassist, the two provide The day after... with a sturdy back bone. Thoughtful fills and playful nuances give each song a depth and richness.

But the band's live performance is more than just good songs in a tight package. Everyone is animated: Wells does some funky little dance steps; the drummer's arms are blurs; the lead guitarist is absorbed in his own world. And by mid-set, when Cali's fully warmed up and begins to belt out the big numbers, she takes on the likeness of real-life, punk-rock Powerpuff Girl.
The band has recorded a four-song demo; each track passes the in-the-car-stereo test. "All Eyes On Me" has edgy lyrics and demands your undivided atention: "Stuck in your old ways/of excess/if you lost it all today/you would quickly fade/so keep your eyes on me." Meanwhile, "White Flag" wallows an autobiography: "Can you show me something I've never seen/tell me something I've never heard/believe it when you say you will come through." "No Regrets" is a hell of an anthem, and like many of The day after... songs, it rings with sincerity.

Whether live or on CD, The day after... is after a good time. And while it's difficult to file its sound under one particular genre, this band possesses a strong identity. Call it girl-rock or whatever, but The day after... will find its own way.

--Hektor D. Esparza