Radiohead’s The Bends is one of the more important albums of the 1990s. After breaking through with “Creep,” off 1993’s Pablo Honey, Radiohead proved they were no flash in the pan when they created a follow-up that featured deeper lyrics, and more complex instrumentation. Many a depressed high school student has spent nights alone in their room crying along to “Fake Plastic Trees,” “Bulletproof....I Wish I Was,” and of course, the all-time weeper “Street Spirit (Fade Out),” which was actually about environmental destruction but seemed to describe the symptoms of depression pretty well anyway.

While the band would go on to create more complex work with OK Computer and Kid A, this was the album that established them as one of best bands in the world. Tonight, local tribute act Kurt & The Loders will be performing the classic album at the Tralf Music Hall. Kurt & The Loders are a cover band that acts as a tribute to all of the excellent music that came out of the 1990s, with a specific tendency towards the earlier half of the decade. Quite often, they venture into the world of grunge, as earlier this year, they played a show dedicated to the music of Pearl Jam. Another show focused primarily on Weezer. They like to focus their efforts on the very best acts to come out of this era, and in that regard, Radiohead was an excellent choice to pay homage to. Any Radiohead fan looking to hear a different act tap into the precise musicianship and raw emotion that made The Bends such a great album would be wise to check out the scene at the Tralf tonight. Special guest Whiskey Reverb opens the show.

Doors open tonight at 7pm, with music kicking off at 8pm.  Tickets are $15.