With their hearty punk-blues and dirty garage-rock, and an occasional taste for epic, sun-baked drama and noise, Australian quartet the Drones make an inspired racket that at various times calls to mind early Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Hüsker Dü, the Mekons, Crazy Horse, and the Clash – and sometimes blends all of that together. Formed just eight years ago, the Melbourne-via-Perth combo plays like it’s been around at least twice as long; this is a band utterly confident in its musical vision and, as anyone who’s seen them can attest, its live chops. Singer-guitarist Gareth Liddiard is one of the more dynamic and magnetic frontmen you’re ever likely to encounter, and his impassioned, unhinged (ok, somewhat terrifying) stage persona is as riveting as his surreal story-songs and the band’s glorious clamor.

Sun., Aug. 24, 9 p.m., 2008