BLOODY GOOD SHOW

Fucked Up‘s second album, The Chemistry of Common Life, landed in 2008 as a scabrous, astounding thing: an elaborate punk credo about the origins of life and humanity that actually did not suck. (It stands in sparse company: see also the Thermals’ The Body, the Blood, the Machine.) But the album’s terse intensity has always seemed a difficult feat to reproduce live, though WWE-ready singer Damian “Father” Abraham has certainly tried (largely by inciting riots and smashing sharp things on his head), yet tonight, Fucked Up may just reach the summit with help from guests Andrew W.K, Titus Andronicus, Vivian Girls, and Katie Stelmanis (the last two of whom lent cameos to the record, as well). It’s the hardcore act to beat—although before now, that title was Fucked Up’s regardless.

Thu., Nov. 5, 7 p.m., 2009