Fri., May 17, Pipedown

Before screamo was the thing Hot Topic shoppers were clamoring about, there was just “hardcore,” which combined heavy punk rock and intense, screaming vocals. These weren't bands venting angsty juvenile rage; they often were screaming thoughtful leftist political lyrics. Perhaps the best of them was Swedish group Refused, which was an artistic and political primal scream ahead of its time. Local group Pipedown (which played from 1997 to 2005) was very much like Refused, only without the avant-garde and jazz undertones. Pipedown had a successful run, touring the United States five times and Europe twice. It returns for a reunion show. 1050 20th Street, www.facebook.com/pipedownband.