Hit Pick

With Welcome to Nowhere, The Fairlanes mark their official entry into the world of full-time bandship. Following the CD’s release party on Friday, March 9, at the Ogden Theatre, with the Gamits and Qualm, the members of the (mostly) Denver-based band plan to head out on the open road full-time to pursue fame and fortune — or at least a living wage, a place to crash and a bar tab. The foursome seems well poised to make that leap: Despite lineup changes and player relocations, the Fairlanes have continued to hone their skills at blissfully bratty, immaculately executed power punk. Welcome to Nowhere, released on local indie workhouse label Suburban Home Recordings, is full of irresistable hooks and well-placed vocal harmonies. Produced locally by Matt Van Leuven, the album surges with spritely energy and cleverness that distinguish the Fairlanes as one of the more focused, and fun, punk outfits around.