It was easy to overlook that Friday night’s show at the Cactus Club was a benefit concert, apparently for someone whose apartment went up in flames along with Pizza Man. Aside from the bartender bellowing not to be “cheapskates” at the beginning of the show and a few tossed off comments from the bands, no one seemed interested in the circumstances that brought these four local bands together on one bill. They seemed more interested in having a good time.

Kicking off the show was Squidbotz, a guitar and drums duo that achieves a distinct sound by processing the vocals and guitar (and even stage banter) through a vocoder and a battery of effects pedals. Suggesting a kind of rock ’n’ roll Zapp & Roger, the group’s playfully sleazy party-rock sound was on point throughout their casual set, with “All Bizness“ standing out as particularly formidable tune.

Newcomers Ladyboys were up next and performed with surprising force and precision, especially considering this was their first gig. They might be wise though, to forgo some of the screamy vocal passages in favor of a more intense focus on the post-punk influenced, heavy rock sound they seem to pull off so well.

In the third slot was Bzybodies, a strong band whose acid-damaged punk rock (or punk-damaged acid rock, take your pick) has only become more delirious since the addition of light man Isaac Sherman, who plays a collection of multicolored lights as deftly as any of the musicians handle their instruments.

Rounding out the bill was Gut Reactions, a speedy garage-punk outfit. Like so many bands of their ilk, their sound is, well, familiar, but they presented it with real musicianship and a surplus of conviction.

Overall, the evening was hard to quantify. Simultaneously impressive and resolutely low key, the sounds on display provided an eclectic cross section of original local rock, but also fostered a convivial atmosphere that bore no trace of pretension or—shudder—professionalism. Hopefully, it’s the start of a trend.