The royal treatment

The crown of California's rock kings rotates from band to band every few years, but for a while now it's rested firmly on the shaggy heads of Los Angeles's Rooney. The group's latest, "Calling the World," continues in the vein of its spiritual forefathers the Beach Boys and Cheap Trick, with soothing, piano-driven new wave pop and sunny, anthemic rock choruses. The band, which has supported the likes of Weezer, the Strokes, and Fergie, find its center somewhere in the midst of that wide swath of indie cool and mainstream pop appeal. Rooney performs tonight. All ages. 7:30 p.m. $15. Middle East Downstairs, 480 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-864-3278. mideastclub.com [L. O.]