Some time in the last decade, China cracked open and rock spilled out, thanks to bands like the ghostly, Velvet Underground – influenced droners Offset: Spectacles, the Joy Division – meets – Pere Ubu post-punkers P.K. 14 and the revved-up pop artistes Carsick Cars, a standout and maybe even breakout band from a particularly energetic Beijing scene. L.A. has been lucky enough to host a few shows by Carsick Cars, and they return now with a promising and powerful new album called 3, produced by Spacemen 3's Sonic Boom and The Clean's Hamish Kilgour. Lead single “15 Minutes Older” is an instant winner, animating the bent but beautiful melodies of Chairs Missing – era Wire with a heartfelt energy that recalls the best New Zealand indie pop. (Like say … The Clean!) It's a rare but welcome show from a band that's going to go far – and who has come so far already, right?

Thu., March 13, 9 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 03/13/14)

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