POP MUSIC REVIEW : Circus of Power Leads the Way in Back-to-Basics Rock

These days there’s a premium in rock on aggressive and sometimes quirky musical assaults, but the no-frills, down ‘n’ dirty guitar-rock triple-header at the Palace on Thursday eschewed trends in favor of back-to-basics, metal-tinged rock ‘n’ roll.

Headlining band Circus of Power has purveyed its brand of ultra-heavy, bluesy, swampy rock for years without appreciable change. Songs like the catchy but banal “Mama Tequila” and rollicking “Call of the Wild” are infectious, though generally unadventurous.

Led by often-posturing singer Alex Mitchell, the New York to L.A. transplanted quintet concluded with songs associated with Howlin’ Wolf and Elvis Costello. The latter (“What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding”) was a welcome change of pace from the band’s competent but one-dimensional songwriting and memorable if repetitive grooves.

On the other hand, Seattle’s Gruntruck has a more au courant sound, and the heavy tribal feel of songs like “Crazy Love” and “Tribe” is typical of the group’s commanding, visceral, garage-band vibe. Kicking off the long, hot evening was Chicago’s Mind Bomb, which, with flashes of intriguing artiness, was perhaps the most left-of-center of the night’s raucous performances.