Subset Gets Libidos Rockin’ and Rollin’

Subset may not have any hits of its own yet, but the unlikely combination of two Seattle forces--rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot and the members of the disbanded alt-rock trio the Presidents of the United States of America--had a strong crowd-pleaser in its arsenal at the House of Blues on Monday: The group produced its strongest performance and enjoyed the biggest response from the crowd near the end of its hourlong set when it delivered a revved-up rock version of Mix-A-Lot’s 1992 ode to full-figured females, “Baby Got Back.”

Libido also drove the rest of Subset’s largely lighthearted, up-tempo work. Nearly all of the 16 songs the group performed Monday revolved around the steamier aspects of male-female relationships.

Mix-A-Lot and former President Chris Ballew took turns leading Subset, which plans to release an album within a few months. The performance took off when they settled into their groove about midway through the show, shedding their initial stiffness for a confident, commanding stance.

Mix-A-Lot’s sly wordplay and friendly demeanor worked well with the energetic vibes of his bandmates, who backed the rapper with a sound that was more rock than hip-hop.

* Subset plays Thursday at the Galaxy Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, 8 p.m. $15. (714) 957-0600.