The connection between karate and postpunk dates back to 1984, when a Gang of Four tune appeared in the original Karate Kid film. The kick-ass band Karate appeared more than a decade after that seminal soundtrack moment. The guys don't sweep their legs much onstage -- in fact, they stand perfectly still, as if balancing on the edge of a canoe -- but motion doesn't matter when a band is this adept at choppy riffs and jagged-jazz improvisation. Equally instrumentally gifted is Atone at Tone, the Lawrence-based opening act. The ever-evolving collective's current lineup includes three guitarists (one devoted entirely to creating abstract sonic textures), a rhythm section and a multitasking member who plays everything from the organ to timpani.
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