There's something refreshing about a band who knows exactly what to be, what to do and what to do best. There's also something great about bands that stick to the maxim of "leave 'em wanting more." Soviettes side project, The Awesome Snakes, who have the most appropriate band name in the history of band names, has both qualities. "Venom" squeezes 15 tracks into a 24-minute record, and the whole thing is over before you realize you've been attacked by two dangerous rock 'n' roll vipers.

This is music to pogo to, danceable hard rock that is swift, efficient and most importantly, fun. Each song has an important point about snakes: "Shut Up!" commands its title to anyone who claims that snakes aren't awesome (the nerve!), and "These Snakes Get High!" teaches us that, well, you know. That guitarist Annie and bassist Danny don't pontificate past these emphatic titles is actually a strength that more bands should emulate. It's as if the listener needles them with, "Oh yeah, Awesome Snakes? How is this an 'Awesome Party'?" In two minutes and 35 seconds, the band ably demonstrates its thesis.

This is not to say that "Venom" is shallow or a one-joke exercise. The Awesome Snakes take their role as snake enthusiasts very seriously and they want you – nay, need you – to do the same. Along for this important mission is local rapper P.O.S., who lends the project some booty-shaking rhymes and warns, "I got a name for people who don't like snakes: Fucker. Simple as that."

Given this endorsement, it's hard to resist the garage punk of The Awesome Snakes, and it's probably best not to. Defiance means you'll either be poisoned or get called "Fucker" by P.O.S., and who wants either fate? DB

myspace.com/theawesomesnakes