Fucked Up

Lead singer Pink Eyes’ feral growl may land him in the hardcore camp, but that genre’s limits are far too narrow for Fucked Up. The band started out with hard-charging sociopolitical anthems in the early 2000s, but the Toronto sextet has embraced a confounding array of influences and has recorded, among other things, 18-minute post-rock epics, throttling electronica and distortion-drenched psych-rock freakouts. Dozens of the band’s early releases were 7-inch and 12-inch singles, making 2008’s The Chemistry of Common Life only its second studio full-length. But it won accolades, including 2009’s Polaris for best Canadian album. The intricate, chaotic, propulsive release comes loaded with enough twists to arrest your attention and slam it on the hood — hard. Fucked Up has built a reputation for legendary performances, from a riot-inciting appearance on MTV Canada to a free 12-hour show in New York City. This show isn’t one to pencil in. Scratch it on your calendar in pen.