The ’90s wouldn’t have been nearly as cool without the frenetic, blues-punk heart attack music of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Already a veteran of seminal punk-rock bands Pussy Galore and Boss Hog (both with dangerously attractive wife/guitarist Cristina Martinez), Spencer formed the Explosion trio with bassist Judah Bauer and drummer Russell Simins in 1991, cranking out a twisted, noise-fueled brand of punky roots rock. Signed to New York City’s ultra-hip record label of the time, Matador, in 1993, alongside other indie titans like Liz Phair and Pavement, JSBE came to define a generation of sex, drugs and angst with blow-your-head-off live shows (if you ever attended one, it’s probably still ringing in your ears a bit). The Explosion returns to the Valley this week, touring in support of its first album in eight years, Meat and Bone. Ava Luna opens.
Nov. 1, 8 p.m., $15/advance, $20/door, Pearl Street Clubroom, 10 Pearl St., Northampton, (413) 586-8686, www.iheg.com.
