Events

[PUNK] This Japanese collective is proof positive that punk energy transcends cultural barriers. Based around two central figures—vocalist Yasuko Onuki and guitarist Ichirou Agata—Melt Banana churns out a mind-bending sonic assault that’s experimental and noisy one minute, then listenable in the punk tradition the next. Agata’s distorted loops and pedal-borne skronk provide suite-like gateways into more standard song structures played at dizzying speeds. Onuki quips, yelps and squeals—mostly in English—giving the uninitiated something to try and hold onto. If it sounds too esoteric to find an audience, think again: Melt Banana’s been touring the world for 20 years and opened some dates for Tool in 2007. They’ll surely rattle the walls at Mohawk Place on Saturday, May 16.