One of the few bands to cross the divide between power pop and punk in the late 1970s, The Last are the missing link between The Flamin’ Groovies and the garage-rock revivalists who emerged in the 1980s. They were ahead of their time and were uniquely positioned to serve as a direct influence on such stylistically disparate performers as Black Flag, The Bangles, The Descendents, The Pandoras, and Jeffrey Lee Pierce, who used to join The Last onstage before he formed The Gun Club. Singer-guitarist Joe Nolte has always mixed starry-eyed romanticism with a ragged punk intensity that separates him from politer power-pop tunesmiths. At this matinee show — stacked with fellow ’77-era veterans The Zeros and The Alley Cats — The Last celebrate the 40th anniversary of their landmark debut album, L.A. Explosion. With Danny & the Doorknobs.

Alex’s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach; Sun., Aug. 18, 2 p.m.; $12; ages 21 & over. (562) 434-8292, www.alexsbar.com.

 

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