HOOKLESS TURBINES

Trash, twang and thunder. That was just about it for the Turbines on Saturday night at Raji’s. Winding it out behind a sound that harks back to 1956 as much as it does to 1966 and 1976, the four-man Boston band nevertheless avoids the pitfall of traditionalism--sounding exactly like its rock ‘n’ role models--by refusing to write anything that resembles a song. Riffs, yes. Hooks, no.

Doesn’t help that driving force John Horovka is a one-dimensional vocalist. The ‘bines aren’t about to win any trophies for stage presence or showmanship either. Strictly a three-chords-and-a-keg-o’-suds scene, disappointing only when you consider how Hollywood crowds will always queue up for something, anything from out of town, take 120 decibels and call it Saturday night.