It's been almost two years since VHS or Beta brought their explosive electronic rock to a non-DJ show in D.C., which is too long for us. On Saturday the Kentuckians came to the Rock and Roll Hotel, bringing buzz band Walter Meego and local faves The Vita Ruins.

Unfortunately we missed The Vita Ruins' opening set, but judging by our past experience, the atmospheric Three Stars and Unbuckled alums put on a good show.

Walter Meego, which sounds like the name of a German guy but is actually a duo from Chicago, play more traditional electronic-focused indie dance music. The name comes from band member Justin Sconza's joking alter ego, Walter Meego. Joined by a third musician on stage, you may not get a particularly innovative sound from them, but it's good dance music and gets booties moving, which is the whole idea anyway. "Girls," for example, starts out sounding like "Homework" era Daft Punk and ends like "Discovery" era Daft Punk, while other songs had Ratatat-style guitars or Hot Chip-style funk. "Through a Keyhole" was a highlight, with the potential to be an indie dance party fave. The band just signed to Almost Gold and are working on finishing their first album.

VHS or Beta are consistently great or better in concert, and this show didn't disappoint. The band plays expansive dance rock with big hooks and a minimum of keyboards and samples. Touring in support of their new album, "Bring on the Comets," which is more straight-forward than the overlooked "Night on Fire," the band fills the space with echoing guitars, booming bass guitar, and precise drumming. Singer Craig Pfunder sounds like Robert Smith of The Cure, and the band builds energy until nearly everybody in the packed room was dancing. Pfunder told the crowd the band loved playing D.C., but unfortunately both Walter Meego's and VHS or Beta's sets seemed a little short. But that's a minor quibble judging by the sweaty mass at the end of the show.

Walter Meego photo from their Myspace