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Murder City Devils perform on Thursday, May 6, at Great American Music Hall. (9 p.m., advance tickets sold out,
www.gamh.com); and Friday, May 7, at Slim's (9 p.m., $22;
www.slims-sf.com).
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Like an unruly zombie angry about being taken out too soon, Murder City Devils refuse to stay dead. After forming in 1996, the Devils dug their nails deep into the vile side of life, concocting agitated garage-punk benders. Vocalist Spencer Moody wailed about escaping from a small town to the city ("I Want a Lot Now"); howled about a revered, long-gone punk rocker ("Johnny Thunders"); and growled about a man being slaughtered in the public eye ("Press Gang"). The only levity in the music came from shimmering keyboard melodies, but even those carried a foreboding tinniness. In 2001, the Seattle pack prematurely pulled its own plug, titling its live record R.I.P. Breaking up proved to be hasty, though, as within five years, the Devils began having occasional reunions, including one in San Francisco last year. After roaring through solely old material since rebanding, a Devils' hometown show in December found them hinting at plans to spray fresh bile.