I appreciate how a little, unknown band, was able to turn you into a passionate fan. It's happened to me many times. I hear some R.EM. like you said and you're right, this was as anti-mid-80s LA as it got, at least in terms of what became popular. Also, considering where Michael Goldstone wound up, perhaps he was onto something with these guys.

Music, art in general, is fickle to say the least. Too bad they didn't get more of a shot.