FRIDAY

With the recent break-ups of the Warmers, the Monorchid, and Regulator Watts, the Dischord curse continues: The handful of bands who do make it past their first record are usually kaput by their third. But Fugazi and Lungfish must share some talisman to ward off this hex. Last year Fugazi celebrated its 10th anniversary, and this year it’s Lungfish that gets to ring in a full decade. Also like Fugazi, Lungfish has been remarkably consistent. The cohesion and congruity of Lungfish’s sound and vision—heavy, trance-inducing riffs topped with fervently delivered lyric riddles—are even more remarkable considering how much time the bandmembers spend apart. With singer/lyricist/enigma Daniel Higgs’ bicoastal existence in San Francisco and the band’s Baltimore home, as well as overachieving bassist Sean Meadow’s spot in two other bands (Sonora Pine and June of ’44), there isn’t a lot of time for them to pursue Lungfish. (Higgs also published a book of poetry, The Doomsday Bonnett, and found time to release a solo record as Cone of Light.) But the band reconvened last December to record new material, which will be released by mid-’98. Check out Lungfish’s latest and wish the band happy birthday when it plays with Roads to Space Travel and Free Range Pilgrim at 9 p.m. Friday, March 20, at Metro Cafe, 1522 14th St. NW. $5. (202) 518-7900. (Christopher Porter)