THE WORST INJURY I’ve ever sustained at a rock show wasn’t even sustained at a rock show. It was at the U.S. Air Guitar Championships in 2008, and some fat drunk guy who appeared to be taking his fashion advice from Larry the Cable Guy elbowed me square in the face. Unlike all the other perfect gentlemen who have so much as nudged me at shows in the past, this guy failed to apologize, or even notice it happened, causing my date to very nearly throw down with him. Security intervened just before they came to blows. It was the most rock & roll experience I’ve ever had, at the least rock & roll show I’ve ever been to. Peelander-Z, however, is right behind the U.S. Air Guitar Championships on my list of Most Violent Concert Experiences. For a band whose lyrics revolve around things like tacos and the animal kingdom, they’re punk as all get out. Though they’ve been working hard at fusing punch-you-in-the-teeth punk rock and complete and utter silliness—a rare combo you’d think would get them some press—since 1999 they’re still barely known to anyone other than Japanophiles and some East Coasters that have spotted them around their hometown of NYC. In their Crayola-colored superhero jumpsuits, Peelander-Z are pretty easy to spot. Looking to upgrade from oddball novelty act to cult status, Peelander-Z are currently touring in support of their new children’s album, P-TV-Z (though I can’t stress enough what a bad idea it would be to bring a child to one of their shows). It’s hard to tell you what to expect without giving away any of the many surprises that await you at a Peelander-Z performance, but the best advice I can give is to follow any and all instructions and pay attention to your surroundings. You’ve been warned.
Blank Club
Wednesday, Oct. 27
Free
