Within Range: Livin’ Loud

BY M. BRIANNA STALLINGS

Thao & The GDSD

In a recent Boom Box review, I compared Thao & The Get Down Stay Down's latest album to “a full-back tattoo,” noting that “it’s gonna hurt like hell, but the result is breathtaking.” Nguyen’s father abandoned her family when she was a tween, and “A Man Alive” examines the gaping ache he left in his wake. Many people have daddy issues, but far fewer transform those paternal problems into critically acclaimed music. The subject may sound dreary, but the release, produced by tUnE-yArDs’ Merrill Garbus, cocoons devastating lyrics in danceable music. Experimental yet accessible, it’s catharsis you can groove to. Thao & The Get Down Stay Down plays a 21-plus gig on Tuesday, April 26, at Launchpad (618 Central SW). Swampy Louisiana rockers Seratones open. Fronted by explosive vocalist AJ Haynes, Seratones’ debut “Get Gone” drops on Fat Possum Records on May 6. Doors are at 8 p.m., and the show’s at 9. Tickets are available online for $15 at launchpadrocks.com.

Puscifer at Popejoy

Musicians who go by three-part names often have fanatical fans. Take, for instance, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ronnie James Dio, Jennifer Love Hewitt . . . okay, maybe not that last one. When it comes to Maynard James Keenan, acolytes practically foam at the mouth with rabid appreciation of his body of work. As frontman for prog-metal legend Tool and co-founder of supergroup A Perfect Circle, Keenan’s musical reputation has preceded him for a quarter-century. Exclaim “Maynard!” and watch as long-haired lovers of esoteric lyrics and off-kilter time signatures emerge from the shadows. Maynard devotees also know him as a vintner and a prankster with a devious sense of humor; his first vineyard was named after a genital wig. Savvy fans of rawk and ’90s comedy may recall first hearing of Maynard’s band Puscifer during a sketch on HBO’s “Mr. Show with Bob and David” starring Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”) and David Cross (“Arrested Development”). Here's a clip from Puscifer's appearance: Later, Puscifer’s uncredited song titled “Ass Kickin’ Fat Kid” was featured on the “Mr. Show” soundtrack and inspired feature film, “Run Ronnie Run.” So it’s understandable why Puscifer may have initially seemed like a joke band. Three albums, five singles, one documentary soundtrack and a remix release later, it’s harder to discount raunchy, loop and beats-driven Puscifer as mere novelty. The group’s latest album, “Money $hot,” was released in 2015. Puscifer rocks UNM’s Popejoy Hall on Thursday, April 28. Tickets range from $45 to $55 and are available via unmtickets.com or by calling (505) 925-5858.

Boris and Sunn O)))

Slow. Loud. Mantra-esque repetition. Ferocious with growling vocals and feedback. These combined descriptors largely define the drone metal genre, which originated with ’90s Seattle and the band Earth. At the forefront of drone metal are acclaimed Japanese group Boris, and native Seattleite outfit Sunn O))). Boris and Sunn O))) first collaborated on 2006 release “Altar,” and as luck would have it, both play Sister (407 Central NW) on consecutive nights and different bills. Boris’ latest, 2014’s fittingly titled “Noise,” is thorny with aggression and dark lyrics. With over 20 albums, and countless collabs, the Boris ensemble has shifted from a trio to a quartet and then in 2013, back to threesome: drummer/vocalist Atsuo, guitarist/vocalist Wata and bassist/guitarist/vocalist Takeshi. Boris considers “Noise” its crowning musical achievement, and the band plays a 21-plus show at Sister on Monday, May 2. Doors are at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9. Tickets range from $15 to $40 and are available via holdmyticket.com. Named after a brand of amplifier, Sunn O))) hails from Earth’s hometown; the former actually started as a tribute band to the latter. Core members Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson have worked with acts like Merzbow, Melvins, Julian Cope, Nurse with Wound and veteran jazz trombonist Julian Priester (Sun Ra/Herbie Hancock). A sloth coated in molasses moves faster than Sunn O)))’s tempos. Their latest record, 2015’s “Kannon,” is a blistering proof of concept. Fellow Jet City metalhead Hissing and Montreal post-rock combo Big Brave open the 21-plus concert on Tuesday, May 3. Doors are at 8 p.m., and the show begins at 9. Admission ranges from $30 to $40, and tickets are available via holdmyticket.com.

Within Range: Livin’ Loud is republished from ABQ Free Press Marketing