June 20
Ceremony w/ White Lung, Slut River and Gag Reflex
The Sandbox, 2406 Leavenworth St.
8:30 p.m., $10, slowburnomaha.com
Ceremony have evolved from typical hardcore house-show punk rockers to one of the genre’s leading hopes. The California band’s growing stature is a credit to their ability to grow and adapt, slowing down the tempo without losing their impact. Basslines now are more likely to lock into a muscular groove, as it is to hurtle along with pummeling drums. Wire, Joy Division and Fugazi are now references points, de-emphasizing older influences such as mathcore, Dillinger Escape Plan and classic Black Flag. The evolution that took hold on 2010’s Rohnert Park continues on their 2012 Matador Records debut, Zoo.