The guest list at Beauty Bar for I Am the Thief is short: four full names and “Brandon.” The Vegas hardcore band’s members either don’t know this mysterious Brandon’s last name, or they’ve made him up completely. Both are possible. According to lead singer Jerrad O’Brian, the quintet sometimes puts famous historical figures on the list. “Just to see if they show up,” he explains.

It’s the act of a band that doesn’t take itself too seriously. “We just came for the free drink tickets,” drummer Mike Riley says. O’Brian dissents, “We got into this so we could see other bands play for free.”

They’re supposed to be talking about what’s new with the band, but the guys are easily distracted. Their music is rapidly paced, their thoughts backstage even faster. They tell me of the fake story they once chronicled to another journalist. It involves spinning a van and winding up face-to-face with a moose in Utah. “Nobody cares about our music,” O’Brian jokes.

Perhaps. Their outtakes do seem more interesting, but tonight’s performance does stand out. It’s the final gig for Riley, whose full-time job teaching algebra doesn’t leave much time for practices or shows. Still, nobody’s prepared a sentimental speech, not that Riley minds.

“We’ve done this before,” he explains. “We’ve done shows where we’ve been uncertain if we’d play again,” he says, referring to the departure of a former guitarist and previous rumblings of the band dismantling. “Bands come and go.”

For now, current Thief guitarist (and Action Cat drummer) Jordan Pflueger will drum (guitarist Pat Ritter and bassist Eric Fodor round out the lineup). Whether they’ll stay a foursome or add a new fifth remains to be seen. Either way, the band’s not that concerned.