DAIKAIJU
Lessee... The band members' origins are a mystery, they keep their faces and identities hidden and play surf-fused, throwback rock 'n' roll... Ladies and gents, Los Straitjackets! No, wait, this is a "Japanese" act (Birmingham, Ala., is in Japan, right?) billing themselves as "premium action heroes" delivering "most high rocket music," and using "special reverb skill" to create a "loud sonic boom for earful pleasure!" OK, so they're basically lifting the Straitjackets' act, tarting it up some with Kabuki makeup and Mothra imagery, and delivering the joys of surf music to another generation of kids. Well, it's certainly not the first time thievery and inspiration have crossed paths, and to their credit, Daikaiju can bring it live, their shows a wrecking ball of crowd participation and guitar feedback freak-outs. Interesting factoid: There's a long tradition of surf music's popularity in Japan - Google some of that vintage black & white Ventures footage from their '65 tour (or the dozens afterward) of Japan - most awesome! With Single Shot Sinners, Robert Childers and the Luciferian Agenda, The Monterreys. $6. Oct. 27, 9 p.m. The Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Road.