The band’s name speaks to pretense and deception, of hidden agendas by those who present a public face while harboring a private side that smacks of sinister. They observe that “no one is true to themselves anymore and almost everyone lives a lie.” Thus, the name Liv-a-lie.

But that’s where the negativity stops. The band uses this as a springboard for a positive spin with its anti-fake battle cry, “We are who we are.” No excuses here.

What you see is what you get, which is especially true onstage and in their music. With an alternative rock sound, Livalie easily edges into user-friendly and catchy mainstream territory.

That direction is a good thing, especially when one considers the style and finesse that has brought to the band and its members — Paul Wright on guitar; Pat Gerasia on drums; Sean on guitar; Jeremiah on bass guitar; Kyle Sanderson on keyboards/synthesizers; and Drew Cyphers on lead vocals.

Many compare the sound found in their recently released debut EP “A Perfect Compromise” to be a combination of Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, Trapt and Linkin Park. That list might also include Panic at The Disco and 30 Seconds To Mars.

Driving the push for interpretative reckoning is the curious and catchy quality of heavy grooves, pop with hooks, riffing guitars, lush piano, synth flash and, oh yes, stylistic vocals.

Guitarist Paul Wright states that Livalie “is an indie-style band but creative. The best thing is we’re very intense live. There’s nothing like doing a live show.

“We have a high energy level that just lights up the whole room and we sound just like our CD, we reproduce it — do it all live,” said Wright, who cites their ability to “play very tight and very coordinated without chaos” as key performance factors.

“We’re not striving for a mainstream sound, it just flows out,” he adds. Mainstream? Maybe. But melodic and memorable — absolutely. All this and more makes Livalie worthy of truthful exploration.

Forget definitions, just let the music do the talking with Livalie with Restless Oblivion and Sent By Ravens tonight at The Money, 111 S. Cherry Road, Rock Hill. Call the club at 329-2710. Get more on the bands at myspace.com/livalierocks, myspace.com/restlessoblivion1 and myspace.com/sentbyravens.

Keep your ears open for Tone Deaf tonight at The Cotton Gin in downtown York. This acoustic duo of Bryan Dover on lead vocals and rhythm guitar and Josh Traxler on lead guitar, harmonica and backing vocals takes a turn toward classic ’70s.

They make it look and sound good with just two guitars, a lot of melody plus plenty of heart and soul. Tone Deaf covers classic rock through the decades from the Eagles, Allman Brothers and Jimi Hendrix through Bon Jovi and Guns-N-Roses. For more information on the band go to myspace.com/tonedefsc.

Wrap up March in style with a whirlwind of live entertainment:

• Tonight: Restless Oblivion at The Money, Rock Hill; Charity Case at The Longbranch, Rock Hill; Rayen Belchere at McHale’s, Tega Cay; Outlaw Symphony Band at Buford Sports Café, Lancaster; The York Chamber Song Writer Night at Sylvia Theater, York; Scapegoat with Sugar Glyder and Mickey Biscuit at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; A Year with Frog and Toad at The Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte; Garaj Mahal at The Visulite Theater, Charlotte; Hells Bells AC/DC Tribute at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; The Thermatones at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Shenandoah at Buck Wild, Charlotte; Uneek Flavor at The Double Door Inn at The Lake, Cornelius, N.C.; Prabir and The Substitutes, Mike Straus and Josh Burch at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Soul Watt at Boardwalk Billy’s, UNC-Charlotte; The Lenny Federal Band at The Comet Grill, Charlotte; Kevin Gordan, Jennifer Nicely, Nathan Angelo, The High and Mighties and The Proclivities at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; Lindy Dobbins and The Red Velvet Manx at The Irish Cue, Cornelius; Midnight Special at Knothole Saloon, Lake Wylie; and The Dirty Lowdown at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte.