The Darts, Gunga at The EARL

CRITIC'S PICK:
Fri., June 19
The Darts, Gunga, The EARL - Take the riot-grrrl punk of Bikini Kill, add Cramps garage/grunge weirdness and you're close to the attack of Arizona's Darts. They have toured relentlessly, often in the UK, since their inception a decade ago. Along the way they have picked up ringing endorsements from names as disparate as Stephen King and Little Steven; the latter lauded tracks from an early EP as Coolest Songs in the World. Recent releases titled Nightmare Queens and this year's Halloween Love Songs (oddly released in March not October), tell most of what you need to know. It'll be an energized and intense show, especially with the raw, roaring, angry garage pummeling of Gunga opening. - Hal Horowitz