By the looks of the guys in the band--among the fivesome are a couple of bearded dudes, as well as a lead singer who began the night performing in a ski cap and an ironic (I guess) Guns N' Roses T-shirt--it might've seemed as if the members of San Diego's Delta Spirit [ tickets ] were fixin' to play some thoughtful, shoe-gazing indie-rock. But that's not what this group is all about, as it proved during its Wednesday night (3/18) showcase at SXSW.

Charismatic frontman Matthew Vasquez looks like a kid, but he sings like an old soul, alternating between a Southern-blues affectation and a powerful howl. Bassist Jon Jameson--one of the beards--could be mistaken for a vendor at the Renaissance Faire, but bounds around the stage with an engaging confidence.

When this group fires on all cylinders--as it did on "People C'mon" during Wednesday's show--it's a powerful thing, and it's clear that something special is afoot.

Of late, it seems lots of critical faves are so minimalist that their songs hardly exist. In contrast, the music of Delta Spirt pumps and drives, and isn't afraid to delve into the anthemic. And, in what seems to be even more of a rarity these days, the band's members seem to be having fun.

Delta Spirit is the real deal.