Within Range: Of a Spring Day

BY M. BRIANNA STALLINGS

Melt-Banana + Melvins

Extreme metal grindcore from England; grunge ancestors awash in that Washington alt.rock sound; dizzying, disjointed noise rock straight outta Tokyo. All three bands are known for revolving doors of past studio or live members and for destroying eardrums of legions of loyal fans. Emerging from England’s early ’80s punk scene, Napalm Death is the Irish hammer of extreme metal – though it’s been building a strong foundation of brutal grindcore tunes for generations, none of its original parts remain. Still, singer Mark “Barney” Greenway, Shane Embury (bass), Mitch Harris (guitar) and drummer Danny Herrera are Napalm Death’s most consistent members. Watch the official music video for Napalm Death's "Smash A Single Digit": Contrariwise, Melvins’ frontman/guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been the band’s only ongoing members since 1984. From Nirvana to QOTSA to Boris, Melvins’ influence can be heard everywhere. Watch the Melvins' video for "Honey Bucket" below: In addition to palling around with Merzbow, Mike Patton and John Zorn, Melt-Banana has something of a reputation for eclectic covers, ranging from jazz and holiday standards by Nina Simone to jams by reggae legends Toots and the Maytals, and of course, wall-rattlers from The Birthday Party and Dead Kennedys. Listen to their track "Candy Gun": Wikipedia may bill Japanese master of dissonance Melt-Banana as the opener for Napalm Death and Melvins, but let’s face facts: this is a triple header of equal titans. The Savage Imperial Death March Tour visits Albuquerque on Monday, March 28, at The Launchpad. Doors are at 7 p.m., and a night of power-loud starts at 8. Tickets for this 13-and-up show are $20 via holdmyticket.com.

The Cave Singers

In Irish folklore, it takes just one banshee to keen out high, warbling songs of mourning. On The Cave Singers’ latest “Banshee,” it takes: singer/guitarist Pete Quirk’s wild, reedy voice; Derek Fudesco’s dexterous guitar; Morgan Henderson’s solid bass work; and the coursing roll of Marty Lund’s percussion to tie these 10 songs of reminiscence, pensiveness and a relinquishing of control together. Recorded in six days last July, “Banshee” is another foot-thumping, hand-clapping chapter in this neo-folk group’s history. Rising from the ashes of Pretty Girls Make Graves, The Cave Singers released four albums before taking a sabbatical year. The group hooked back up in 2015 to crowdfund “Banshee.” Watch the official video for "That's Why": The Cave Singers are joined by the dreamy harmonies of mellow psych-pop foursome Dræmhouse. Give a listen to the group’s latest EP, “Only Friends,” at their Bandcamp page. Lead singer Chris Cheveyo teeters effortlessly from nonchalance to defiance, sometimes within the same song. Wail, sway, clap and swoon along with The Cave Singers on Tuesday, April 5, at Launchpad (618 Central SW). Doors are at 8 p.m., and the 21-plus show begins at 9. Tickets are $12 via holdmyticket.com. M. Brianna Stallings makes work work.

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