Saturday

The George W. Bush administration: unfortunate for the world but great for punk rock, right? When confronted with another four years of rule by a conservative Christian manchild, how could the youth of our nation help but take solace in the bleak and grating sounds of the early-’80s punk scene? Instead, the musical climate that’s emerged during Dubya’s second administration has been largely populated by namby-pamby Laurel Canyon folkies, longhaired balladeers who stroll barefoot in the grass and spend more time listening to “First There Is a Mountain” than “Police Story.” Luckily (or maybe unluckily), we’ve still got two years to go, and the past 12 months have seen the arrival of a few bands who—while not sporting any safety pins—are at least willing to voice their discontent through loud, sloppy music. Bands like L.A.’s Mika Miko for instance. On their Kill Rock Stars debut, C.Y.S.L.A.B.F., the five members use broken guitar strings, hollered gripes, and a few swiped Germs riffs to create the first truly appropriate teenage response to No Child Left Behind. Screw the Patriot Act: Kids these days only need to learn two words, both of which they will probably hear when Mika Miko performs with Erase Errata and the Gossip at 9:30 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $12. (202) 667-7960. (Aaron Leitko)