I know that most of my friends think that my taste in music peaked somewhere around 1995. I'm cool with that. And that's why I crossed off a big concert from my list of "bands to see" tonight, as the Presidents of the United States of America rocked The Rave with 70 minutes of high-energy, super fun rock and roll.

Never mind that their biggest hits, "Lump" and "Peaches," came off their debut album, released when I would've been too young to legally drink at this all-ages show.

For a band that, despite periodic breakups, has maintained a tight and unique sound since its post-grunge Seattle heyday, the Presidents put on a solid show that mixed old and new -- to an appreciative, if not sold-out crowd.

Lead singer and bassist Chris Ballew talked a little but played basically nonstop. It was a short show, but considering each and every one of the songs rocked really hard, it felt longer.

The group mixed songs from its new album, "These Are The Good Times People" and the eponymous first album. Unfortunately, the Presidents ignored the 2000 disc, "Freaked Out and Small."

Still, they hit the crowd favorites with clarity, especially considering the Rave's acoustics, which can make shows sound like they are being played under water. From "Kitty" to "Ladybug" to "Dune Buggy," the band sounded crisp and genuinely happy to be there -- three guys you'd genuinely like to hang out with. Just like the crowd, they bounced up and down, striking their unique harmonies and chord shifts that have become their staple sounds.

They wrapped up with "We're Not Gonna Make It," which set the crowd into hysterics. For the encore, they played their ever-so-tight remake of "Video Killed the Radio Star" and "Kick Out the Jams."

Two bands opened for the Presidents; most notably the Austin-based The Black and White Years. They didn't do much for me, as they sounded to me like a poor-man's version of The Killers. And to me, The Killers sound like a poor-man's version of a bunch of '80s bands mashed together. I was amused, however, that the guitar and bass player both sported totally unironic mustaches. But I digress ...

If the Presidents are now an oldies act, then all rock fans should go back a decade and hit the bargain bin.

This group sounds as relevant as it did 13 years ago, and I'm glad I finally had the chance to see them in Milwaukee.