The Crazy Ivans

Take a thick spoonful of hard rock. Then sprinkle a few pinches of power pop. Top it off with just a smidgen of punk attitude. And don’t forget the heaping helping of a no-nonsense female lead vocalist. There you have the recipe for the Crazy Ivans.

The six-member Dallas group, comprising singer Kristen Lueken, drummer Trevor Pockrus, guitarist Justin Smith, bassist Brian Alguire, organist Mike Maternowski and guitarist Keith Riskey, confidently rocks its way through 2010’s Dive! The Ivans’ full-length debut followed 2008’s EP release, Go Back to Russia, Sucka! Three tunes from the EP — “Frequency,” “Six Feet Above the Sheets” and “Wail of the Banshee” — turned up on the 10-song Dive!

Onstage this homegrown outfit cranks up a bunch of noise, like all good rockers should. So far the band is mostly touring the DFW area, with the occasional trek to Houston or Texarkana. Lueken and her band mates are obviously working it hard on familiar turf. That’s great for Dallas.

-- Mario Tarradell