Sator

Sator formed in San Diego in the early 1990s, with members who had previously been part of Rocket from the Crypt. Their sound was hard to pin down, mixing elements that didn't always sit comfortably with critics or industry expectations. They put out their first album in 1995, simply called Sator, and followed it with records like 3 Cheers for Disappointment in 1998 and Barroom Heroes in 2000.

One of their better-known tracks is "Dance To The Rocket From The Crypt," which carries some of that restless energy. Other songs like "A Safetybelt For Suzie" and "Anxiety, Coke And Chocolate Bars" show a taste for off-kilter titles and lyrics that lean toward the surreal. They kept recording into the 2000s, with albums such as Photograph in 2005 and King of the Monsters in 2008.

After Sator wound down, the members moved on to other projects. Their catalog remains a scattered, sometimes challenging listen, not quite punk, not quite art-rock, but with moments that stick.