Who? Atlanta post-punkers the Selmanaires take their name from 73 Selman St., the site of their first practice space and the former home of twin brothers Herb (guitar/ vocals) and Jason Harris (drums/vocals). The band began as a trio with Tommy Chung on bass and vocals, and issued their first full-length, Here Come the Selmanaires, in 2006. Second guitarist Mathis Hunter joined in early 2007; the group's second album, The Air Salesman, an anagram of the band's name, arrives on the International Hits label in Jan. 22.

What's the Deal? The Selmanaires play a danceable blend of krautrock, post-punk and a harmonized yelping that is slightly less skittish than that in the Talking Heads tune "I Zimbra." The bassline in "In The Direction of Yes" is also reminiscent of the one opening of the Head's "Psycho Killer," and band members cite everything from Stax Records to Can as influences. The lyrics often focus on coping with living in a modern society. "It's funny -- we have so many influences, I think that in itself is a modern condition of having access to so many different kinds of music," Herb Harris tells SPIN.com. The new album has more intricate polyrhythms than you can shake a drumstick at and features a fuller sound because of studio effects and the addition of Mathis.

Fun Fact: When the Selmanaires traveled with the Black Lips to Toronto, they stayed in what Chung called "the sketchiest hotel" with Lips bassist Jared Swilley. Swilley's room had a broken mirror, what looked like blood stains in the sink, hair and bugs on the bed and a pitiful-looking ceiling. It caved in during the night, though Swilley managed to leave the room before that happened. "We're checking out, and we asked for a refund on the room," Chung explained. "They wouldn't give it to us, so we called the Canadian police, who thought it was hilarious." The police eventually arrived, and the band received a refund.

Now Hear This:
The Selmanaires - "Reason and Chance" DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web:
The Selmanaires at MySpace

Talk: Will you give the Selmanaires a 'chance'?