The Messthetics to play March 8 at at the High Noon

The D.C. instrumental trio combines Fugazi’s rhythm section with guitarist Anthony Pirog.

The Messthetics, a fiery instrumental unit that accomplished Washington, DC guitarist Anthony Pirog formed with Fugazi’s Joe Lally and Brendan Canty, have announced a March 8 show at the High Noon Saloon. Openers for the show have yet to be announced.

The trio released its self-titled debut album in spring 2018 and seems on its way to becoming much more than a one-off collaboration. Pirog’s versatile, at times dizzying guitar lines—also captured on the 2014 solo album Palo Colorado Dream—combines with Canty’s drums and Lally’s bass in blistering pieces like “Serpent Lung” and “Crowds And Power.” But there’s also plenty of subtlety to be found here, especially in the atmospheric build of “The Inner Ocean” and a gorgeous cover of Sonny Sharrock’s “Once Upon A Time.” The band’s show at Milwaukee’s Cactus Club in May was one of my favorites of last year.