Back during the Murder City Devils first go-around, from 1996 until 2001, the rabid Seattle garage-punk sextet could be relied upon to deliver some of the more deranged and dangerous shows youd ever experienced. Getting drunk to make music to get drunk to seemed their mission statement, and, yknow, mission accomplished along with making some tremendous music and starting a lot of memorable fights (sometimes amongst each other). So perhaps it was right to be skeptical of MCDs part-time reunion, which started in 2006 and has meant a handful of shows here and there each year by the original lineup, which is now scattered across the U.S. and in different musical projects. Can they possibly rock out like always and muster that same dark, raucous, shit-might-get-out-of-hand vibe now that the bands not their life? Fortunately, as anyone whos seen them recently can attest, the answer is a resounding, enthusiastic Yes!! With Past Lives, Cold Lake. All ages. MICHAEL ALAN GOLDBERG
Wed., Dec. 30, 8 p.m., 2009
