Vampire Weekend is not as scary as its name might lead one to believe. The members of this band wear cardigans and button-ups, not heavy make-up or dark gothic robes. They graduated from Columbia University and did not study Anne Rice or research a potion that will make them immortal. The band is made up of Ezra Koenig on lead vocals and guitar, Rostam Batmanglij on keyboards and vocals, Chris Tomson on drums and Chris Baio on bass.

The band performed at Chencho’s at The Dome in Bakersfield on Nov. 12 where they played songs from their debut self-titled album. They also played a few songs from their upcoming second album, “Contra,” which will be released Jan. 12. They ended their set with “Walcott,” a song Koenig said they play last at every concert because it is about leaving.

Emilio Gonzalez, an East Bakersfield High School junior, first heard Vampire Weekend when his elder brother came home from school at University of Notre Dame. Gonzalez said his brother got interested in “east coast bands” and brought them back with him. This was Gonzalez’s first time seeing Vampire Weekend.

“I love this band, especially the drummer,” said Gonzalez, who is also a drummer. “I could see the passion he has when playing. I play in a band and sometimes when you mess up or do something good, you just smile. [Tomson] just smiled the whole time.” Gonzalez said he had an awesome time at the concert and explained his love of the band. In addition to the “crazy, not on time drumbeats” of Vampire Weekend’s songs, Gonzalez also enjoys the band’s attitude.

“They’re for the fans, they’re not showing off,” said Gonzalez. “The charisma they have is so relatable to me because I do feel called to play the drums, and they get me so pumped up.”