Ever since Bad Bad Hats toured with New Zealand pop-rock perfectos The Beths — maybe my favorite band on the planet — I have been curious about them. That was way back in 2019, but I hadn’t yet checked them out. You know how it is: Too much music, too little time.

Since Volcanic Theatre Pub announced a Bad Bad Hats show for mid-January, however, I’ve been listening to the band’s self-titled album, which came out about nine months ago. At first, quite honestly, I didn’t love it. It felt a little thin and vaporous, and the melodies didn’t grab me right away. I’d play the thing and when it was over, I couldn’t remember much about it.

But after a half-dozen listens, that has changed. Bad Bad Hats’ songs are seeping into my skull now, and they’re sticking with me. Singer-songwriter Kerry Alexander has a knack for crafting melodies that are both catchy and interesting, and guitarist Chris Hoge adds cool sounds and textures on the guitar. Their music is bright and upbeat and bouncy — danceable indie-pop-rock, if you will. Turns out, “Bad Bad Hats” is a big bag of tasty ear candies, which is all the more impressive when you consider that Alexander and Hoge recorded it themselves in the basement studio of their Minneapolis home.

No wonder The Beths took them out on the road as openers! As mentioned, they’ll roll through Bend on their own headlining tour this weekend.

Bad Bad Hats, with Party Nails: 8 p.m. Sunday, doors open 7 p.m., $20 in advance, $30 at the door, Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend, volcanictheatre.com.