Early on, Deerhoof established their trademark balance of heavy, impulsive art-rock and the childlike charm of singer Satomi Matsuzaki. The band stitches together influences from quite a few genres, but their devotion to a controlled variation of traditional song structures gives them a distinctive, yet easily altered, sound. While the band’s catalog is certainly cohesive, each record takes a decidedly different tone. Their latest, Deerhoof vs. Evil, ventures into electronica with Spanish undertones: Amid the usual classic-rock/psychedelia/noise blend, hints of flamenco and samba can be heard. Matsuzaki’s vocals, which have teetered over the years from playful melodies to lilting shrieks, here often function as pure sound. She complements mutating soundloops with fierce, choppy syllables, slamming along with the guitars and filling the gaps in between. Deerhoof’s core members have been touring together since 1994, resulting in a delightfully composed stage presence. As veterans of avant-garde pop, they’ve influenced dozens of newer bands — and with good reason. Deerhoof play at the Hi-Tone Café on Thursday, February 3rd, with Ben Butler & Mousepad and the Powers That Be. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $13 in advance, $15 at the door. — Halley Johnson
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