Simon, who operates his own guitar and effects-pedal repair company out of Royal Oak, often brings his own sound to recordings. So with Duffy likewise utilizing various effects for his bass — and Dunkerley dipping into his unhinged jazz sensibilities — the music on the Negative Reflections LP has evolved considerably from the "straight-ahead-punk" of the band's '08 debut.

"People see the bands we play with and think we'll sound like whoever," Dunkerley says. But many in X!'s extended family, like the Ill Band's blender of Ray Davies, Jonathan Richman and Jay Reatard, or the Frustrations' psych-scorched rock, are harder to pin down. That's a positive, Dunkerley says. "We wind up fitting with hardcore bands or noise bands or rock 'n' roll ..."

Johnny Ill Band's album release show happens Friday, Dec. 16 at Jumbo's, 3736 Third St., Detroit; 313-831-8949. SROS Lords also celebrate their new 7-inch. 

The Frustrations and Feelings will perform at Corktown Cinema's screening of Instrument — Ten Years with the Band: Fugazi on Thursday, Dec. 15, at PJ's Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668. Suggested donations will benefit the cinema. 

Don't go in the basement: Johnny Ill Band: (from l.) Johnny "Ill" Garcia, Matt Larson, Chris Campbell, Pete Steffy and Paul Deroachie. 

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