The Aquabats

Caped crusaders fight the evil forces of depression, negativity, angst and the greatest evil of all, self-importance! If the Aquabats had their own cartoon — they have their own coloring book, so don’t think it’s beyond them — the BAM! POW! intro sequence would go something like that. The Aquabats are anything but self-important, and the band members hardly take themselves — or much else —seriously. But the six-piece (which used to be eight and once included Blink-182’s Travis Barker) is serious about playing a raucous mix of metal and new-wave-infused ska (in caped costumes, no less). The Aquabats may be light, but don’t call them inane without fair trial. After all, who else can deliver lyrics like Pool party baby/It was a cool party/Cool pool party/La, la, la, la/Popcorn, hot dog buns and hamburger patties/Millions of people want in to my party/But it’s invite-only/And you’re on the list, baby with such flair?