Legendary 80’s alt rockers return to Seattle for a kick-ass U-District set.

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The Act: Concrete Blonde formed in Los Angeles in 1982 — though initially, the alternative rock group called themselves Dream 6. The name changed four years later to symbolize the inherent contrast in the band’s signature sound — hard guitar riffs combined with meditative lyrics and female vocals — and they’ve kept the name ever since.

Concrete Blonde has been on and off since its inception. The band’s current line-up includes co-founders Johnette Napolitano (vocals/lyrics/bass) and James Mankey (guitar), as well as drummer Gabriel Ramirez, who joined the group in 2002. The band’s music has been featured on several soundtracks, including “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986),” “Point Break (1991)” and TV’s “The Shield.”

Concrete Blonde’s show next week will be opened by Menkena, a Dallas quintet who describes their sound as “a solitary drive through the desert at sunset.”

When: Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)

The Venue: For more than 90 years, The Neptune Theatre has entertained young crowds that inhabit the U-District. Architect Henderson Ryan designed The Neptune Building/Theatre in a simple, revivalist style, and the establishment opened on Nov. 16, 1921. At the time, The Neptune was one of five theaters in the area to play silent movies, and today it is the only one left standing — though the venue closed as a single-screen movie house one year ago.

Today, The Neptune is operated by Seattle Theatre Group (STG), and is one of the city’s most dynamic, multi-use arts venues. Past acts include Blitzen Trapper and Dawes, The Posies, Bush, Imelda May and, more recently, public radio personality Stephen Tobolowsky. You can view the theatre’s calendar to find out more about upcoming shows.

The Neptune Theatre sells concessions in the lobby and offers a full bar on the bottom level. Tickets to the upcoming Concrete Blonde show ($24) are available online.

The Neptune Theatre | 1303 N.E. 45th St., U-District | (206) 467-5510