{moszoomthumb imgid=964 itemid=74 style_m=2}It’s been almost two years exactly since Jake Mehrmann self-released his first Tan Vampires record “I Can Hear Them in the Dark,” an RPM Challenge record that scored him a loyal brood of fans. After years of playing solo shows, Mehrmann recently roped in a cast of local musicians to play and write music as a full band and the results are worth checking out as soon as possible. The revamped Tan Vampires have played a handful of shows in the area recently, including gigs at the Barley Pub in Dover every fourth Wednesday of the month, and a show on Saturday night at The Muddy River in Portsmouth with Boston-based pop-rock band The Honors.

“We’re still working out a lot of things,” Mehrmann said before the show.

But it wasn’t obvious at The Muddy on Saturday night. A good crowd, including many who were familiar with Mehrmann’s songs, if not the new arrangements, was dazzled as the five band members behind him fleshed out songs that were stark with atmosphere and solid rhythms. Guitarist Nick Phaneuf, formerly of The Sixth Root and The Texas Governor, took a lot of this on himself, running his guitar through a live computer program and emitting lush tones to complement Mehrmann’s strong voice. Keyboardist Mike Effenberger, playing a Fender Rhodes and a synthesizer, and trumpeter Chris Klaxton were also great additions. There was a real ease between all the musicians onstage, probably because most have played together in some form over the years. It’s really a small, incestuous world for musicians on the Seacoast.

“It’s a lot more fun to play with the band,” said Mehrmann. It’s somewhat of a return to form for him as he fronted the band Data before assuming the Tan Vampires moniker after that band’s break-up.

The 27-year-old Dover-based musician explained that since forming, the new band has spent considerable time writing arrangements for songs originally meant for acoustic guitar and voice. At times during Saturday’s show, it was clear that some tracks are best suited for the lone singer. The strongest moments of the night, however, came when Mehrmann and the band coalesced, when the volume and intensity only a full band can provide boosted Mehrmann’s moody, slow-moving songs. But even with the new lineup, it’s still Mehrmann’s voice, vaguely reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, that carries the band. An expressive vibrato with a wide range, his vocals easily soared above even the loudest moments of the night.

As the band wrapped up the set with a rhythmic version of “I Can Hear Them in the Dark,” it was hard to see what else the group needs to figure out. Truly, there was never a moment when it seemed like the Tan Vampires were not right where they should be. Mehrmann said he plans on writing and recording new songs with the rest of the band now that the older ones have been arranged. Keep up with their progress at www.myspace.com/tanvampires.

The Honors, whose bassist Roland Nicol and drummer Jay Trikakis are known locally for their work in The Press Project, closed the show with a high-energy set of radio-ready rock that included a string of contemporary covers near the end. It was a good night for voices, as singer Brandon Heisler’s strong vocals, coupled with his inspired onstage maneuvers, captivated much of the crowd and even managed to draw a few bodies to the dance floor. The Honors will headline a show with Gramercy Arms at T.T. The Bears in Boston on Friday, Feb. 6. Visit www.myspace.com/thehonorsmusic.