Bass players around the world remain bitter because acts like White Stripes and The Black Keys made it cool — or at least head-scratchingly interesting — to eschew the traditional four-string support associated with folks like Geddy Lee, John Norwood Fisher and Dusty Hill.

Consider New London rock duo On a Piranha. Guitarist/vocalist Dustin Chuff and drummer Justin Pinette seem to be doing just fine without that low-end component — plus the division of gig money seems to go a lot further. Artistically, On a Piranha tunes like "Parade" and "Carnival" have a strummy energy, confessional lyricism, and undeniable melodies that straddle the worlds of rock and pop in winning fashion.

They'll perform Friday at 33 Golden Street in New London.

— Rick Koster

On a Piranha, 10 p.m. Friday, 33 Golden St., New London; $5;  (860) 443-1193.