So Not Dead

In billing itself as "the longest-serving punk band with original lineup," the Adicts touch on a couple interesting points. One is that many reformed old-school punk bands often feature no one but their original vocalists (or, in the embarrassing cases of the Germs and Dead Kennedys, everyone but the iconic singer). The other is that being an old-school punk band is largely a thankless job — all those boys thrashing about with nary a handclap for their (anti-)heroes. And though the band formed in 1975 in Ipswich, England, it didn't gain much exposure until the early '80s, at which point its frenetic and poppy style fell out of vogue in favor of Oi and crusty anarcho-fare. Still, the makeup-covered visage of singer Keith "Monkey" Warren (as Liza Minnelli as Alex from A Clockwork Orange) can be seen on the buttons and butt flaps of punkers the world over, so something clicked. We suppose some hammy humor and a viscous blend of whimsical rock 'n' roll partnered with the appeal of five fortysomething droogs playing pop-punk just makes you want to sew something on your butt or pogo your brains out. They perform at the historic — and newly reopened — punk venue, which should be more than enough reason to strap on some Docs and sing "Viva La Revolution."

The White Barons and Cell Block 5 open.
Thu., Oct. 11, 7 p.m., 2007