by Brian Furman
There aren’t many bands that can string three records together and consistently be cited as an inspiration for a generation of musicians. Not unless you’re The Stooges…or El Paso’s At the Drive-In, a band that rivals The Stooges in intensity, danger, and unpredictability. The Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez-led band burned bright, fast, and loud in the early ‘00s with a sound that is as abrasive as it is philosophical and introspective, paired with manic live shows that conjured images of exorcism. Their third record, 2000’s Relationship of Command, is frequently cited on “best of the decade” lists and produced radio staple “One Armed Scissor”. ATDI recently reformed after a more than 10-year hiatus, releasing the excellent in·ter·a·li·a in 2017. Warning: You may see things that aren’t quite real, but you will feel every second of this set.