It may not sound "rock and roll" of me to say, but I just don't get out that much these days. With two kids (an infant and a two-and-a-half-year-old), a demanding day job, a demanding night job, and everything in-between, I'm lucky to hop out of bed most days let alone go bar-hopping at night.

Thank God for rock and roll. It is my salvation; that which keeps me grounded in creation. And thank God, too, for my wonderful wife (another anti-rock term, but one that happily applies to me). She always knows when I need a break and gives me time and space to vegetate.

So, rare as it was, I found myself at the Tally Ho in Bethlehem on a Tuesday night, sipping a dollar Rolling Rock, preparing to hear some original music. I had read about the band playing that night - The Teeth - in a local music column. Any reference to the Kinks will spark my interest, so the writer's comparing them to the Kinks on caffeine definitely had my attention.

As I watched this rag-a-muffin team setting up and, apparently awaiting the arrival of a PA speaker, nervously announcing that they'd be starting shortly, I was certain that I'd stumbled onto something unique. When the speaker arrived, and the band started playing the opening "Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa" of the Kinks' classic "David Watts," the Teeth put a smile on my face.

More impressive were their originals. Frantic, frustrating, and at times airy and aloof, the Teeth's music is an adventure in pop and improvisational jazz, with Frank Zappa humor, and yes, Ray Davies sensitivity.

The first encounter with the Teeth led to a handful of shows with Slightly Ripe in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia late last year.

Since then, the Teeth have found their niche in Philly as well as locally at the Funhouse, Our Beer Belly's, and of course the Tally Ho where they held a CD release party last Saturday for their latest 15-track recording "Send My Regards to the Sunshine."

From the Basement (FTB) caught up with Aaron MoDavis (AM), singer, keyboardist and songwriter, to talk about the new CD and life with the Teeth.

FTB: So, tell me what's been going on with The Teeth.

AM: Well, we've got a new drummer, Chris Giordani. Don't tell me you want to spell his last name.

FTB: No, I'll look it up. He's good for the band?

AM: Yeah, it's working out great.

FTB: You've recorded since I've seen you last.

AM: Yeah, we have a new 15-song CD, "Send My Regards to the Sunshine."

FTB: Is this a reference to Brian's (Ashby, guitarist) former band, Hurry Down Sunshine?

AM: No. Actually we didn't really make that connection until later.

FTB: Tell me about the recording.

AM: We recorded with a friend, Mark Cunningham, who owns a home studio. We've known him since middle school. He really likes our music, so we really feel in tune with him and trust him with the music. That's different than just paying a studio where they don't care and brings a real element to the recording.

FTB: There have been comparisons to the Kinks, the Talking Heads, others. What do you think of the comparisons?

AM: It doesn't bother me, but sometimes people just don't get what I'm trying to do. I'm a big Talking Heads fan, and I like Ray Davies and the Kinks. Ben Folds Five is another one, but I don't listen to them. The comparison to Zappa is weird - I don't see that. But really, it is what it is.

FTB: What is it?

AM: It's pop rock. It's frustrated, definitely, and eclectic. It's a blending of different styles. As far as lyrics go, I don't get into poetics - I just try to get the point across to what I'm trying to say. I'm not a poet, I don't rhyme. My brother, Pete (bassist) writes more about specific events, I think.

FTB: Sticking the with Kinks reference, you are similar in that, like the Davies brothers, you and Pete are the main songwriters. Is there any sibling rivalry between you?

AM: Oh yeah. Especially since this new album - we're always trying to top each other. We're both pretty stubborn in that whoever brings a song to the table has the bottom line. Ultimately, though, it adds to the strength of the songs.

FTB: Which one of you has seniority:

AM: We're twins, actually - but I'm 30 minutes older.

FTB: To me, what comes across in your live show is how much fun you all are having.

AM: Yeah, we try not to exclude the audience, but sometimes it's like we're just practicing in the basement, looking at each other and having fun.

That's important—if it doesn't look like you're having fun, how can you expect people watching to have fun?