If you were to isolate all of the various DNA strains contained within early 1990s American indie rock, pull them all apart and then reassemble a band out of all of the best parts and practices, you'd probably wind up with a band like Poster Children — the original, real thing. Since 1989's Flower Plower (which predates Nevermind by two years, to give you some sense of the early groundwork Poster Children laid), the band has been churning out the smart yet heavy, the clever yet not-too-precious, all with an innate Midwestern affability that has greased and sweetened the entire enterprise. The band is currently on tour celebrating the 25th anniversary (!) of their Daisychain Reaction LP; to behold it and them is to behold both another era and something that still feels like it could be a way forward.

With Photon Band and The Not Fur Longs. Tickets here.