The mighty Melt Banana returns to Milwaukee

It’s really hard to find a single word that sums up Japan’s Melt Banana, but if I had to choose one, it would be “unclassifiable”. Simultaneously play a Napalm Death record, a Moog synthesizer and that Pokemon episode that caused seizures, and you’ve got a rough idea of the sound of Melt Banana.

Over the years the band has toured and collaborated with everyone from The Melvins to Mike Patton to the Locust. Most bands have discernable “genres” that would constrict them to only one of these, but the unconventional nature of Melt Banana’s music allows them to roam freely throughout the musical landscape. They aren’t metal, they aren’t punk, they aren’t experimental; they’re simply Melt Banana. The band make their return to the Cactus Club tonight, touring in support of their latest album, Fetch.

Twenty years on, Melt Banana continues to release relevant and interesting work. Fetch, released earlier this year, finds the band continuing on with their sonic experimentation, but also dabbles in slightly more traditional song structures. Album opener “Candy Gun” is frantic and polyrhythmic, but incredibly upbeat as well. “Zero” opens with Melt Banana’s signature guitar glitchery before moving into one of the most danceable moments of the band’s career, sounding like a warped take on American Top 40 pop. “Infection Detective” could induce synesthesia, its rapid fire pacing and guitar work conjuring up images of late 90s video games.

Fetch is a great addition to the already extensive Melt Banana discography, and with ten other full lengths and countless other releases to draw from, their set tonight should be an impressive and fun one. This one will likely sell out. Don’t miss it!

Melt Banana play the Cactus Club tonight in Bay View, with Brain Tentacles, Zebras and Lifes supporting. Doors at 9 p.m., music at 10 p.m.