Primer: Desaparecidos

Desaparecidos

Formed:

In Omaha, Neb., in 2001.

 

Sounds like: Adbusters, as set to music by Deer Tick. 

For fans of: Bright Eyes (duh), Against Me!, the Thermals, Deer Tick. 

Latest release: For a band whose history stretches more than a decade, Desaparecidos' catalog is anomalously thin, owing mostly to frontman Conor Oberst's overburdened calendar. MariKKKopa/Backsell, released this month, is the group's first recording since 2002. 

Why you care: One of the more violent flourishes of Oberst's cranky muse, Desaparecidos produces angst-ridden garage rock whose motivating anger was originally supplied by President Bush's attempts to relegate the left to political impotence. Desaparecidos (Spanish for "disappeared ones," a term used to describe leftists who vanished after being arrested by South American military governments) released its first single three months to the day after 9/11, and just as quickly lost its momentum once the American political process had again swung safely centrist. The band's past decade of radio silence has allowed it to tighten its howling, overdriven sound as well as to find a fresh cause célèbre in the plight of illegal immigrants. 

SEE IT: Desaparecidos plays the Crystal Ballroom on Sunday, Aug. 26, with Virgin Islands. 9 pm. $20 advance, $30 day of show. All ages.

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.