It seems like everyone these days plays garage rock, from your dad, to your sister, to that one cool professor with pink hair. The genre is oversaturated with hundreds of acts, and few stand out; however, one of these stand-out bands in Sunflower Bean, and the Clarion was fortunate enough to see the three-piece perform last Sunday, April 3 at the Larimer Lounge.

Sunflower Bean is a band that refreshes garage rock with psychedelic undertones and long jams on stage that prove instrumental capability and artistry. Some bands capitalize on an effortless-appearing set, while Sunflower Bean is constantly fighting to play harder, teetering on the border of frenzy while keeping power under control. Groovy lights add a complementary aspect that reinforces psych influence without overpowering other elements of the music; Sunflower Bean’s music is the perfect mix of chaotic rock and controlled psych.

Sunflower Bean’s performance is completely raw; Julia Cummings, vocalist and bassist, is enigmatic on the stage, cutting a hard edge performance (Cummings once dropped down to the stage and didn’t miss a single note) with a nearly shy speaking presence. Drummer Jacob Faber performs with a practiced ease that isn’t jaded and vocalist and guitarist Nick Kivlen’s voice is something made of daydreams. The dynamic between the band members is dark and brooding but completely electric; when they play together, it causes something similar to a lightning storm, beautiful but apprehensive to look at.

Despite the small size of the crowd, the audience loudly supported Sunflower Bean with shouts of approval and some energetic dancing. Many didn’t know the lyrics to songs such as “This Kind of Feeling,” “2013” and “The Stalker,” but seemed to enjoy the set anyway. It is a sign of a good band when the group can entertain an unfamiliar crowd, and Sunflower Bean is a good band indeed.

Sunflower Bean’s latest album “Human Ceremony” was just released last month, and you can revel in the garage-y goodness on Spotify.