The Humanoids are barely a year old, but the group's distillation of old-school punk, pop-punk and hardcore already feels timeless. Shaun Morrissey is a spark plug behind the drums, ably pounding out thrashing tempos to drive the riffs hammered out by dual guitarists Greg Stinson and Bryan Clarkson. Vocalist Tim Clarkson, meanwhile, refuses to stay onstage, drawing people into the show by getting in their faces in the first few (and then some) rows of the floor. Opening slots for the Queers and Agent Orange have helped the Humanoids' cred, of course, but the band's stellar debut EP, Humanoids are Born — and choice covers of Dag Nasty and the Descendents — are more indicative of its talents. Even better, people outside of the Lou are taking notice: The band received a respectable review in punk bible MAXIMUMROCKNROLL, and the Humanoids will play The Fest in Gainesville this fall — an event that's rapidly becoming the premier showcase for the nation's punk, hardcore and rock elite.