Is it a crime for a relatively newly formed L.A. indie band with outrageously catchy hooks and an offbeat sense of melody to hit paydirt with a novelty single? Of course not. Does it come with a price? Absolutely. As much as Foster the People have claimed their space next to Peter Bjorn and John and MGMT with their omnipresent ode to a misunderstood youth packing heat (“Pumped Up Kicks”), it’s unlikely (if only out of the scene’s instinctual mistrust of commercial breakthroughs) that esteem for the overly handsome trio will hold, but then again, “Young Folks” or “Kids” never charted nearly as high as Foster the People’s “outrun my gun” warning. (And yes, it’s more successful than even its clear progenitor, Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy.”) And what’s this? Foster the People’s ’80s-tastic second single, “Helena Beat,” is creeping up fast. Like it or not, they may be here to stay. – Justin Strout (with Cults; 5:30 p.m. at House of Blues, Downtown Disney West Side; sold out; 407-934-2583; hob.com)
