Formed in Milwaukee in 1980, Plasticland was the third incarnation of a band that had already gone through two related genres, prog and Krautrock, to arrive at a sound that put it out in front of the mid-decade psychedelic revival. Like the best of their better-known peers–the Lyres and Rain Parade come to mind–they were able to back up their paisley pretensions and hairy fuzzbox spew with some very solid songwriting. And like those bands, they put out a few brilliant albums, peaking in 1985 with Wonder Wonderful Wonderland before winding down in the 90s. But they never quite disappeared, and tonight they’ll take a well-deserved bow for last year’s Make Yourself a Happening Machine, a stunning best-of compilation on Ryko that would have sent the buzzometer off the scale if these guys were hot young things. The Goldstars and Favorite open. a 9:30 PM, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, 773-276-3600 or 866-468-3401, $8.
