The Dead C

Sun., Oct. 12, 9 p.m., $12, with Blues Control and Pink Reason, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

by Brian Howard

noise/experimental

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If you've heard of The Dead C, New Zealand's rarely touring, deconstructionist/experimental noise rock trio, you have one of two opinions: You love them very, very deeply or you struggle to find a reason for anyone to have the slightest affection for them. And if you've heard of them, it's likely because Tom Lax of Philadelphia's Siltbreeze Records played a major role in introducing the band in the northern hemisphere, releasing new albums and re-releasing Kiwi classics throughout the '90s. Formed in Dunedin, 1986, The Dead C (Bruce Russell, Michael Morley and Robbie Yeats) has for 18 years made it their business to turn the structures and mores of rock music on their head — not so much in a brash, piss-off punk fashion, but by distilling and configuring the very elements into a bubbling, steaming pitch. On their new Secret Earth (Ba Da Bing), the band crafts sprawling, sludgy textural soundscapes that hint at slow grooves and an almost, daresay, bluesy twang. Songs meander, sometimes almost entirely losing their rhythmic direction under squalls of guitars and unintelligible lyrics, and go on for upward of 15 minutes. And that either sounds awesome and mind-expanding to you, or you can't fathom why anyone would pay money to hear it.

Sun., Oct. 12, 9 p.m., $12, with Blues Control and Pink Reason, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com