One of out five of the guys looked normal. There was the lefty bassist in khakis. THe balding drummer with the frizzy hair. The other (grey-haired) guy in khakis. And then there was orange man. Orange slacks. Orange suit. Orange tie. You can't make this stuff up. The lead singer (Zach Rogue) was actually the odd-man out. He looked like a normal thirty-something guy.

I was fixated on appearances for the first song or two. Perma-date and I got in a few good giggles. I may have pointed once or twice. But then something became apparent: these guys--presumably studio musicians recruited by Rogue--were incredibly talented. They were craftsmen who mad mastered their trades. And they were enjoying the hell out of themselves. I could have watched the drummer--ridiculous hair and all--for hours. And as Rogue Wave worked through a well-paced blend of new and old material, I eventually forgot how ridiculous they looked.

There were a lot of youngsters in the crowd. They didn't seem at all thrown off by the appearance of the band. Maybe these youngens aren't yet jaded enough to believe that all indie bands have to conform to a certain look. That skinny jeans, assymetrical hair and thrift-store shirts are mandatory attire. But being the old, bitter guy that I am, I do have those stereotypes (and the same clothes). But all it took was an hour with five even older, unattractive, poorly dressed yet skilled musicians to completely change my perspective. But not my wardrobe.