The Rentals haven't had a hit single in the U.S. since Bill Clinton's first term in office, but they still managed to fire up the motley crowd at the venerable Nightclub 9:30 in Washington, D.C. The band have reformed after a five year hiatus with the promise of a new album, but the current tour is serving largely as a celebration of their past. With fellow mid-nineties survivors and also recently-reunited Ozma as an energizing opening act, original members Matt Sharp (a Weezer founder) and Rachel Haden (of that dog.) -- along with four new members and Ozma's Ryen Slegr helping out on guitar -- recreated the four-part boy-girl harmonies of their two albums, complete with violins, Moog synthesizers, distorted bass, acoustic guitars, piano, and whip-cracked drumming. There were plenty of aging hipsters longing to relive the mid-'90s, but the younger demo also made a strong showing, offering hope that the Rentals' return for this set marks more than a just a one-time nostalgia trip. STORY BY MATT TERL. PHOTOS BY ROBERT MACY

We asked: How did you feel about this latest return of the Rentals? COMMENT

Name: Amber B.
Hometown: Ruther Glen, VA
"I wanted more Ozma!"

Name: Dave S.
Hometown: Pottstown, PA
"Watching Matt dancing in the crowd, you can tell they love everybody around them."

Name: Jeff B.
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
"It was strange, after so long, but great to see there's still a crowd."

Name: Jian P.
Hometown: Fairfax, VA
"I was in elementary and middle school when the first CD came out, but I'm heading down to Virginia Beach to catch them again. How often are the Rentals going to tour, you know?"

On the Web: therentals.com
Ozma at myspace.com