Winning the California Roots Battle of the Bands in 2011 – over a number of acts including the Bay Area’s Highest Intention – wasn’t the biggest moment of The Closeouts’ short career. The resulting prize was: The Salinas teens scored a main stage slot alongside Pepper and SOJA at the California Roots Music and Arts Festival at the Monterey Fairgrounds last May.

“We’ve totally looked up to all the bands and have gone to their concerts,” says guitarist/vocalist Henry Caskey, at 17, the group’s youngest member. “To play on the same stage was awesome.”

But Salinas High’s Caskey isn’t referring solely to bands that have achieved international stardom; it’s the local operations like The Expendables and Iration the quartet was psyched over too.

“It’s great to have a local scene like this,” Caskey continues. “Most of the bands we love are in our backyard.”

The contest win and subsequent exposure have earned them clout. The recent – and smoking – sophomore release Follow That Road is confirmation that the four-piece only seems to be getting better. “Warning Call” wastes no time bringing a rocking riff encased in AC/DC spiciness, before segueing into neo-ska at marathon speeds. Conflicting rhythms, on-point time signature changes and soft-to-loud moments coat “Concrete Ground,” recalling Bad Brains.

Not bad for a group of guys who aren’t old enough to drink.

THE CLOSEOUTS, DEWEY AND THE PEOPLES and STRAWBERRY GIRLS play at 7pm Saturday, Nov. 24, at the King City Room at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd., Monterey. $10 advance; $15 door. 320-6876.

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