Went and saw the Secret Machines last night. Good band... I'm guessing they might be better on record than live. A tad bit on the boring side, but I do love their sound.

Opening was the Helio Sequence from Portland. Damn. What a great little band. Two guys with a laptop used as the bassist.
The songs were very catchy and melodic, but with wild tremelo guitar effects and solos. The skinny drummer was like Animal on the Muppets... crazy pounding. If you have a chance to see 'em then by all means do.

I've seen them a couple times as the opening band for Modest Mouse. Really entertaining... the drummer was with MM for the past year or so, as well. Your description reminds me of exactly what I thought.