At it Again generates melody, radiates heat

It's cold outside, and not much warmer in Joe Perv's garage.

And yet, the drummer stands up and turns off the small space heater that sits beneath walls lined with carpet and foam sound-absorption panels.

The place is starting to get warm, and it's not because of any household appliances, but the three dudes working their instruments with enough force to radiate an energy that begins to chase the chill from the room.

The trio of Vegas music veterans, who have winkingly named their band At It Again, are tearing through a 10-song practice set in their rehearsal space on a recent Wednesday night, making garage rock in the most literal sense.

Bassist Robert Spinzo is all smiles, rocking back and forth on his heels as he plays. Perv is all grimaces, baring his teeth and twisting his face as if it was made of Play-Doh as his hands shoot across his kit. Singer-guitarist Mario V. Ortiz tends to keep his frame tensed as he sings, tight, like a coiled spring under pressure.

They lock in together, not coming across like a band whose current lineup has been together for only four months, playing hook-heavy, get-up-and-go rock 'n' roll imbedded with shoutalong choruses that sound like battle cries.

It's some promising stuff, infectious in its complete lack of inertia.

"We really, really just want to be a dynamic band," Spinzo says during a break in songs. "We've all been playing for a long time. I think that's why we sound a lot more evolved for such a new band."

Perv adds with a chuckle, "It's new in the sense of my phoenix rising from the ashes."

As Spinzo alludes to, this bunch has lengthy pedigrees in Vegas music circles. Perv has been in dozens of bands over the years, most recently in groups such as The Objex, The Tinglerz and the Lucky Cheats. Spinzo comes from more of a rockabilly background and, while living in California for a time, performed with the likes of Buck Owens and John Doe. Ortiz has been playing guitar since he was 10 and has been in a number of local groups, too.

Together, they feed off one another well, with Ortiz taking the lead in the songwriting.

"We kind of live the songs, says Ortiz, who's a professional guitar instructor by day. "I'm obsessed. I don't sleep. I have insomnia. I go home and work on stuff."

Speaking of work, it's time to get back to it.

The band is preparing for some upcoming shows, including a gig at the LVCS pn Saturday night.

After a brief pause, everyone returns to their instruments.

They lay into another seven songs hard, and by the time they're done, so is the cold.

"It's hot in here now," Spinzo says with a grin.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com
or 702-383-0476.