Three's a crowd, but two can still be plenty loud—witness the spastic guitar and blunt, poetic punk singing that is Mecca Normal.

The group formed in 1984 and has released an album, it seems, on almost every large independent label in the country. Singer Jean Smith is largely credited as a pioneer of the furious feminist movement in early '90s punk rock. The group's most recent release, The Observer, is an ode to Smith's experiences with online dating. Catch the duo at The Rendezvous this Thursday. Ampersand Amps and MMM's Live Archive open.

April 23, 9 p.m., The Rendezvous, 78 3rd St., Turners Falls, (413) 863-2866.