Rubin Kinkaid

The same words could describe Northern Virginia's own Rubin Kinkaid, an original alterna-pop band composed of songwriter Debbie Cohen (guitar, vocals), Chris Macica (lead guitar), Ed Morrissey (bass) and Pete Nuwayser (drums).

Before arriving in the District in 1996, Cohen led the Oysters for six years, cutting demos and playing throughout Upstate New York. A chance meeting with Morrissey at the Rhodeside Grill in Arlington planted the initial seeds of RK, named after the fictional Partridge Family's manager.

Citing influences ranging from Catherine Wheel to the Pretenders, wrapping melancholy lyrics in upbeat melodies, the band performs regularly at area clubs and has released three independent CDs -- the 2000 EP, "Apathy," 2001's "Pink Elephant" and this year's "Don't Ask." (You can listen to samples and learn more at www.rkband.com .) - Marianne Meyer

Fans of TV trivia will recognize Rubin Kinkaid as the character name of the manager on "The Partridge Family." But these four musicians are not related; they don't ride in a multicolored bus; and lead vocalist and songwriter Debbie Cohen is way hipper than Shirley Jones.

Rubin Kinkaid performs power pop with a sharp edge, mixing melancholy lyrics with upbeat melodies. Thanks to Cohen's strong vocals, the band often recalls '80s acts such as Pat Benatar and Blondie and contemporary bands such as No Doubt.

Though a D.C.-area band in its origins, the group's members met on the upstate New York music scene. Cohen was a post-graduate student at the State University of New York at Albany for most of the 1990s and knew fellow musicians Ed Morrissey (bass) and Chris Macica (guitar) through friends.

After graduation, Cohen relocated to the Washington area for a federal job, reluctantly giving up an acoustic rock band she'd spent six years building. Cohen bumped into Morrissey one night at the Rhodeside Grill and discovered he'd moved to the area. Macica was in town working as a construction manager. The members played their first gig, a benefit for the Washington AIDSRide, in May 2000 as an acoustic show because they still were auditioning drummers. After a long run with Scott Evans, the group recently added a new skins man, Pete Nuwayser. An EP, "Apathy," came out in 2000, and the full-length "Pink Elephant" followed in 2001. The band hopes an album of new material will be ready by late spring or early summer. You can hear sound samples at www.rkband.com .

Rubin Kinkaid rarely plays outside the D.C.-Baltimore region, but it is a perennial favorite at venues that support area talent, such as Mr. Smith's of Georgetown, Zig's Bar and Grill and the Shark Club. Luna Park Grille is a frequent stop for the band, so expect the joint to rock with a friendly, at-home vibe. - Marianne Meyer