The UV Race comes all the way from Australia, where the band makes a lo-fi brand of punk that is akin to the likes of Lou Reed, The Sex Pistols, and The Ramones. The band doesn't stray far from the classic punk feel, generally employing a limited melody, defiant lyricism, and conventional punk instrumentation. However, when the musicians do stray, they move toward a psychedelic, fuzzy, garage-rock feel, expanding their instrumentation and bringing the tempo down to a comfortable, Velvet Undeground-esque jam. Occasionally the band ventures into noise territory as well, working with an ambient, wall-of-sound quality and slightly off-kilter tunings that both please and repel at the same time.
The UV Race performs with Bad Taste, Big Brain & The Drug Cartel, and Glass on Sunday, May 19, 9 p.m. at the Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave. $8-$10. bugjar.com.