Scotty Mankoff

Frankie Campagna wants Spector 45 to stay consistent because 'what we play is what we listen to and have fun with.'

For five years, singer/guitarist Frankie Campagna and his bandmates have delivered a consistently fun and carefree brand of punk rock.

"My favorite band has always been the Ramones, and they've put out the same kind of fast-paced stuff consistently," the 21-year-old frontman said in a phone chat yesterday. "That's kind of what I want with our band.

"Right now the big thing is ambient. A while ago a lot of girls were listening to, like, speed metal. I just want to stay consistent, and stay the same, because what we play is what we listen to and have fun with."

Here's more from Campagna on Spector 45, which plays its fifth-anniversary show Saturday at Club Dada.

Q: As a musician, who were you five years ago and who are you now?

A: I definitely know how to play guitar a lot better now. I guess five years ago I just wanted to be a musician, but I pretty much was a rhythm guitarist, and I wasn't all that good.

Q: You're celebrating the first five years of your band, but what do you want for its future?

A: More than anything, I'd like to get out on the road and get to know different areas. We've got a much better following than we did a few years ago. We're getting a lot more offers now. We've been through so many bassists, but we've had the same one for quite a while now, so we've been able to get more consistent.

Q: What has surprised you about life as a musician?

A: When I was really little, I figured you played in a band and you were automatically gold. You were set. But I don't know. Now I'm out there mostly to play to have a good time. We're having more and more fun at our shows as we get older.

Q: What's your impression of the Dallas music scene?

A: Man. [Laughs.] I don't know if I want to touch that one. But I've loved the scene, and I love Dallas. A lot of times, there's the idea that if you leave town and get signed and come back, you might have a better following. And then there's the feeling of wanting to develop fans here at home who support us no matter what. It goes back and forth.

Q: What can folks expect from your anniversary show?

A: The drummer and I are both bartending this weekend as well, so that should be interesting. So we'll be jumping on stage and off. We have a DVD screening that has the band history ... and people can definitely expect a better show than they've seen before if they haven't seen us in the last few months or year. Should be a tight and awesome show.

TONIGHT: 8.0 Lounge in Fort Worth is still pluggin' along with its local-music series, bringing Chomsky, Burning Hotels and more to the stage this week. Taylor Davis (right) does his singer-songwriter thing at City Tavern.

TOMORROW: Fort Worth again? Yep. Heartstring Stranglers, Sarah Jaffe and Robert Gomez bring the heat to Chat Room Pub. Centro-matic/South San Gabriel celebrates the imminent release of new double CD Dual Hawks with a show at Dan's SilverLeaf in Denton. And here at home, the Ramonalisas and the Frontier Brothers are on a bill at the Cavern.

SATURDAY: If you can't get into the sold-out Old 97's gig at House of Blues, see the band earlier in the day for free at Good Records. Eleven Hundred Springs and the King Bucks bring their country to the big Granada stage. Matthew and the Arrogant Sea welcomes Red Monroe to Denton as the two share a bill with Margot and the Nuclear So and So's at Rubber Gloves.

SUNDAY: Not a damn stain on ya? Join Big Tuck (right) at KNON's Latin Energy Festival in Fair Park. Or you can play a few songs yourself later that night at Club Dada's open mic, hosted by the lovely Jenn Nabb.

E-mail Hunter at hhauk@quickdfw.com.

Spector 45 plays Saturday at 8 p.m. at Club Dada, 2720 Elm St. Cover charge TBA. 214-742-3400.