Looking at the Facebook page for Levels, the only information they offer is that they are a "Seattle-based band." The end. Clicking on to listen to their album, it's easy to see why they don't feel the need to elaborate on who they are or what they do. From the first, chopping guitars of "Ghoul," on their debut EP, V, all you really need to know is that this band lives for the structure and impact of a tightly constructed riff.

Though adorned with bare-bones effects, "Ghoul" thrives on the immediacy and unimpeachably affecting riff supplied by guitarist and frontman Jerry Van Galder. His vocals are masculine and deadpan, another nod to the efficiency that seems to define Levels. As of the recording, Levels were just a two-piece, Van Galder's voice and guitar propelled forward by the drumming of Saba Samakar.

"I'd had a number of tunes, riffs and ideas over the years," says Van Galder. "It wasn't until I met Saba Samakar, the drummer, on Queen Anne at the Jam Box, that they - my ideas - really got put to use. At the time, we were both in different bands, and we met each other there at the Jam Box, which is now closed. We jammed a few times and decided to put out an EP. After that, we brought on Danny Moffat."

Again, an efficient story of two people spontaneously deciding to make music together - another reflection of the efficiency displayed in the interplay between the two musicians on their debut EP. Bringing in a third voice can be a tricky proposition, but Van Galder claims that the inclusion has only made them stronger.

"We have four new songs (with Danny Moffat), and we're looking to get another one," says Van Galder. "Then I think we're going to be going into the studio to record another EP. The sound that you hear on those four new songs doesn't really deviate from what you hear on that first EP. In fact, I think it's better."

What strikes me about Levels is how cohesive all of their songs are from the jump. They seem to be built around a very concrete idea that spreads out and explores over the course of three or four taut minutes. "Thieves in the Light" exemplifies the economy of their songwriting - introducing an unimpeachable riff, never quite straying from it, just removing or adding notes to build momentum. It's effective stuff, designed to elicit the compulsory nodding of heads and pumping of fists.

"Saba Samakar is such a great drummer, and I'm rhythm oriented, we're basically in-the-pocket instrumentalists," says Van Galder. "I've played bass for a number of years, so as far as getting it tight instrumentally, between Saba and me, it's a given. It's really simple to do."

That their debut EP was produced and engineered by Chris Common should betray the influences of Levels. This is a guy, after all, who drummed for These Arms Are Snakes and has produced albums from bands such as Minus the Bear, Mouth of the Architect and Pelican. Levels lands firmly in this area of alt-rock and heavy rock, flashing elements of Queens of the Stone Age and Soundgarden.

As a system of delivering riffs as concisely and promptly as possible to the brains of rockers, Levels do it about as well as it's done in these parts.

LEVELS, w/ Simon the Leper, Icanus, New Mexico, 10 p.m., Friday, May 24, Le Voyeur, 44 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, no cover, 360.943.5710