Wed. June 27

 Rivers Cuomo of Weezer calls Ozma "more Weezer than Weezer,in a good way." Cuomo has been one champion of this decade old band comes from Pasedena (also the title of the new CD) and is fronted by singer-guitarist Ryen Slegr. The band took time off in 2004-5 - they had college to attend - reforming in the fall of '05 with new drummer Ken "The Brain" Shane. (Let's hope the nickname is not ironic; drummers aren't generally known for, you know ... ) Ozma is an optmistic pop band - "We gotta fight the darkness" sings Slegr, passionately at one point. Ozma is anthemic one moment, and more subtle and quirky the next (yes, Weezer-esque). They balance guitars and keyboards and, for whatever tension exists lyrically, are not above putting forward a breezy, California-esque kind of melody. They're with Eastern Conference Champions (formerly Laquardia), the Actual and Down to Earth Approach. They're at the Middle East Downstairs Wednesday June 27. Starts at 9 p.m. Tickets: $10.

472 Massachusetts Ave., 617-864-3278 mideastclub.com