ALTERNATIVE/ROCK | Red Letter Statement 

This Rochester-based band is, in part, named after the practice of marking holy days in red letters in church calendars. Although Red Letter Statement may not be the paradigm of piousness, its six members have undoubtedly devoted themselves to cranking out up-tempo, alternative rock. The band's bio consists of two sentences: "We don't play dubstep or sample anything. We use actual instruments." All sarcasm aside, the real guitar work is fast-paced and deliberate. The genuine drums are hard-hitting and prolific. And the solid, chugging bass lines lead to some devilish rhythms.

RLS incorporates all the trademarks of 21st century post-hardcore music. The subtle use of vocal harmony and the occasional guttural howl is reminiscent of genre stalwarts such as Thursday and Taking Back Sunday. While some might think that the sporadic introduction of somewhat sugary, pop-influenced refrains would lessen the band's overall aggressive aesthetic, I believe it is only another surprisingly well-executed layer of a sound that approaches the anthemic.

Red Letter Statement plays Friday, January 11, 6:30 p.m. at the Club at Water Street Music Hall, 204 N. Water St. $10-$12. 325-5600, waterstreetmusic.com.