It used to be that bands performed in a particular style. They chose a genre, and worked within a malleable set of parameters to create their sound. Sure, sometimes your neighborhood rock band would write a ballad or put out an acoustic record, but there was a core to their sound that remained the base from which they stretched their ideas. It may be too early to tell, but it seems like such is no longer the case. The inter-marrying of tastes and influence of outside musical traditions seems to be blurring any hard lines between this style and that style, creating a hodgepodge of melody and rhythm. Denver natives Dressy Bessy are a grab-bag of dance rock and power pop, while hinting at more obscure indie rock movements such as the Riot Grrrl subgenre. No matter what sounds or influence the group enlists in its songs, Dressy Bessy maintain a fun, care-free mood. Sassy vocals are yelped above dance-beats while guitars pound out power chords that beckon back to a time of neon sunglasses and leg warmers. The band sounds trendily clunky and obnoxiously fun. Dressy Bessy challenge you to an all-night dance-off Thursday, Oct. 30 as they play The Underground at UW-Stout accompanied by Minneapolis’ own The Melismatics.

    Dressy Bessy + The Melismatics • Thursday, Oct. 30 • The Underground, Memorial Student Center, UW-Stout • 8 pm • FREE • 232-2432 • http://bdp.uwstout.edu