THE HOMOSEXUALS @ THE MERCURY LOUNGE: 3/8/9 @ 7PM.

The Homosexuals are one of those bands that musical know-it-alls speak of with veneration and—if the know-it-all is of a certain age—a truly annoying "you just had to be there" kind of smugness. Why is that the case?

Well, The Homosexuals were part of England's post-Sex Pistols punk scene, a time that gave us Wire, PiL, XTC and lots of other bands that were trying to figure out what punk rock could mean in terms of musical innovation, as opposed to fashion-fueled publicity stunt. It was a very good time for people who liked their music fierce and creative. The other reason for The Homosexuals' know-it-all credibility (aside from the name that could be seen as offensive or brilliantly confrontational, depending on one's point of view) is their limited output. Most of their recordings were self-released, making them extremely hard to find. That's orgasmic catnip for musical know-it-alls.

Fortunately, founding member Bruno Wizard decided that, more than twenty years after its demise, it was time to re-form the band. So he got a bunch of crack NYC musicians together and started writing. The songs are very good—some of them in a more aggressive Robyn Hitchcock kind of way; click here if you want proof. And the band of whippersnappers clearly makes Mr. Wizard feel young on stage. This will be a good one, kids. Make sure to get there early to catch The Unsacred Hearts, a kick ass garage rock band that features The Homosexuals' Travis Harrison on drums. Travis is also the man behind Serious Business Records, which released the Homosexuals' recent 10 inch vinyl EP, Love Guns?, which is limited to a mere 300 copies. Get one and you'll have serious ammunition against know-it-alls who may question your musical worthiness. You're welcome.

Sunday, 3/8/9
The Homosexuals: 10pm
Pterodactyl: 9pm
Unsacred Hearts: 8pm
Miracles of Modern Science:7pm
Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
$8. Get advance tickets here.