Musicians are generally a pretty serious bunch. But bands like They Might Be Giants and Devo have demonstrated that having a sense of humor and being taken seriously as musicians don’t have to be mutually exclusive, and Boston alt-rockers Guster continue in that same tradition. Since the early ’90s, the band has been combining a loose, jam-friendly musical style with goofy onstage antics, helped by an especially strong connection with fans.

That connection helped the band sell thousands of copies of their early independent releases without a record label, and even now that they’ve achieved greater mainstream success, they still cater to fans with an open policy of allowing recording at all of their live shows.

The band members have been known to serve (in costume) as their own opening act, and concerts often include offbeat covers. Although Guster’s sound has evolved from its original two-guitars-and-percussion setup, the band’s music has never been traditional. Maintaining a healthy sense of humor and off-kilter approach has kept Guster vital for two decades now.

House of Blues, 8 p.m. Jan. 22, $26.50 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster