If you listen to any track off of XBXRXs latest album, Wars, youll immediately understand the CDs title -- every song sounds like a battle cry. The Oakland, California band has been making posthardcore thrash music for nearly 10 years and opening for bands like Sonic Youth and Deerhoof along the way.
As teenagers, the XBXRX bandmates had humble beginnings. Their first gig was a friends birthday party, and their first tour involved Moms van. But despite what some detractors view as an inaccessible style focused more on energy than on structure, the band has developed a strong following for its explosive live performances fueled by heavy guitar lines, screaming vocals, balloons, lights, and dance riots. Of course not everyone agrees: One blogger called the bands live show an animalistic seizure of grunts and yips with no redeeming value. But for anyone who has ever looked to music for catharsis, thats just what makes this group worth watching. XBXRX will be parading anger -- alongside local heroes Laundry Room Squelchers, Ha Ha Help!, and Foreign Bodies -- tonight at 9:00. Of course its at Churchills.
Sun., July 29, 9 p.m.