Punk rock.

That’s what the band 3 Minutes is about. It will be appearing tonight at Thumbs. No glam. No cute, frilly stuff. No joke. Starting time is 9:30 p.m. with a $2 cover.

Robb Rice, guitarist and lead singer, said the band gets its name from the length of its songs — under three minutes.

“We don’t really have any desire to become like Green Day or any of the mainstream music,” he said. “We try to stay in control of our own music and make sure it’s a viable operation.”

This three piece band from Johnston is making its Ames debut, and Jay Richmond, co-owner of Thumbs, said he is happy to have it. “They’re an up-and-coming, punk and rock show.”

“We’ve been together since about September or October,” Rice said. “There’s three of us, and this is going to be our first major show. We’ve been playing at private parties and KDPS, 88.1, in Des Moines.”

Ryan Jayne plays the bass and does backup vocals, and Justin Hoefling hits the drums for this bass-oriented band whose influences are Rancid, Screeching Weasel and Operation Ivy.

“We range from really sarcastic to really funny,” Rice explained, “and we only play three covers.” Two of its under-three-minute songs include “No Substitutions” and “Girls Suck.”

Rice said Iowa has a lack of punk rock bands, but many punk rock fans. A good punk rock band, he said, should be able to bring people to the show for that reason alone.

Richmond said he couldn’t agree more: “I like to have a wide variety of music at my venue — a nice mixture.”

He has no worries about punk fans causing problems, saying Thumbs has had a few before.

“Be an individual. Join the masses,” was the message on the flyer Rice’s brother, Jay, posted all over campus. Robb Rice said it has become 3 Minutes’ theme. “It was at the bottom of a magazine for a video game, Lemmings,” he explained.

The band’s next appearance will be May 5 in Des Moines at Connie’s Lounge, located at 3839 Merle Hay Road.

Thumbs is located at 2816 West St. An ID is required at the door.