ATHENIAN ANTICS

If your idea of an Athens, Ga., band involves a singer with hair in his face clutching the microphone with both hands and mumbling incomprehensibly, the Kilkenny Kats, one of three Athens bands Friday at the Palomino, filled the bill. There were other stylistic similarities to R.E.M., too, though the Kats’ guitarist is far more hard-edged, less jangly.

The most traditional and most vociferously well-received act, the Flat Duo Jets, turned in a furious set consisting largely of minimalist, trashy, guile. At least we think it was the Flat Duo Jets; the singer declined to introduce his band because “we’re all just people and I’m just a person.” Aw shucks! The insufferable Bar-B-Q Killers offered caterwaul-punk distinguished principally by a noisome singer who profanely berated the audience for offering the too-cool L.A. reaction she no doubt came to town expecting to find.