Although Washington, DC is well-known for spawning hardcore and post-hardcore legends such as Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Fugazi and the Make*Up, our nation's capitol has also long fostered a Brit music following, so it was only a matter of time before someone formed a band to represent the anglophiles.

Founded by brothers Siayko (singer/guitarist) and Boris Skalsky (keyboard/bass/vocals) in 1998, DC's Phaser has cultivated an impressive batch of UK-inspired miasma since their recent inception. Fans of The Verve will appreciate the title track on the band's latest EP, "Skydive." Starting off with a steady, easy groove, the song builds with placid, shimmering guitar work. The ambient chorus is gentle and chillingly beautiful, like falling through a cloud in slow motion. Although sonically reminiscent of the Verve, the pace and structure of the song brings the Beatles' melodic sensibility together with the psychedelic dimensions of Pink Floyd.

The warm, sentimental "Young As Ever" will embrace you with its lighter-lifting piano plinks and light-handed, sparse percussion. The acoustic guitar and the phrasing of the song bring to mind the work of Oasis. And "Thanks For Asking" has all the right ingredients of a great Brit-pop tune: lush guitar work with nice vocal harmonies, coupled with a Blur-style bass line that maintains an easy groove, and some feedback thrown in for good measure.

After listening to the "Skydive" EP a few times I ventured out to catch Phaser live. Restricted to a half-hour of stage time tonight, Phaser are only able to give us an EP's worth of a sampling. But it's a worthwhile investment.

Seeing this fairly unseasoned yet seasoned-sounding band in a small club is, for the most part, ideal at this point in Phaser's career. But the songs don't sound right in this particular space, for obvious reasons; here is a wide-screen sounding band playing in a tiny, black and white TV of a bar, the Continental's trashy, hole-in-the-wall charm aside. This music needs room to breathe, to expand and spread so as to caress a multitude of open ears in order to reach its full scope.

The sound crackles and distorts in its confinement as it catches on the peeling paint and duct tape of the walls. But, Phaser is, if anything, a band dedicated to the workings of the imagination through its own musical statement, so I apply what I know and train my ears to hear the music the way I feel it is meant to be heard - big, loud and clear, with softened edges. But this raw, live side of the band's sound gives the music an added organic dimension.

Offering more than the usual archaic smile and thick layers of fuzz than the UK-based bands that Phaser are compared to, these American blokes project a stage presence of all their own. For one thing, these guys are certainly not as aloof as the Brits; they are friendly and down to earth. Sharing the spotlight throughout the set, each band member shines.

Siayko's (pronounced "SHY-ko") expressive voice rises above the swirling layers of sound like The Verve's Richard Ashcroft as he leans into the microphone, over his network of effect pedals shaping his ethereal guitar sound. Boris also sings and handles the keys soulfully to haunting effect. Paul Wood's guitar and Ritse Dejong's drums complete the line up, where the four members merge their sounds together, pleasantly blurring the sonic lines of who's playing what in the process.

The band ends its set with a new, unrecorded song tentatively dubbed "Sway," a lengthy, alluring intonation of atmospherics and shimmering tones. The song skillfully demonstrates the band's ability to control sound by knowing how and when to let go, and when to reign it all in. Just when the music reaches its crest, it suddenly dissipates into oblivion like a crashing wave or an unwinding tornado. This side of the band is best demonstrated in the live setting where you can actually watch them perform this particular feat.

Only truly skilled songwriters can translate their tunes acoustically. Stripped down, Phaser songs still sound big and spacey, even on acoustic guitar (visit www.phasermusic.com to check out these songs). Although drenched in reverb, Siayko keeps his voice within range, flowing naturally within the song.

I highly recommend both Phaser discs, "Silverscreen Daydream" and "Skydive" (available through Phaser Music.com. Listen to the music: you'll hear something new each time.

This review was originally featured on Gigmania.com.