Formed in 1991, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion made its name during the decade as a blistering live band mixing elements of punk, r&b, garage rock, blues and hip hop to create a volatile and soulful new sound. Over the course of their nine albums, countless singles and numerous remix projects, Spencer and collaborators Judah Bauer (guitar) and Russell Simins (drums) forged a solid legacy with such classic efforts as Extra Width and Orange that helped blaze a path for blues-tinged garage punk bands that would follow while fostering the kind of genre-blurring experimentation that contemporaries (and sometime collaborators) like Beck and The Beastie Boys were exploring during the '90s.

Though the group dropped the Jon Spencer from its name for their 2004 album Damage, it was hard to imagine the group not being defined by the snarling, charismatic showman that fronts the threesome and the change didn't stick. The group would go on hiatus for a number of years with Spencer focusing his time on the more roots-oriented band Heavy Trash, with whom he would record several albums. A couple of rarity and retrospective compilations (Jukebox Explosion Rockin' Mid-90s Punkers! on In the Red Records and Dirty Shirt Rock 'n' Roll: The First Ten Years on Shout! Factory) would precede the group's reunion. By 2010 the Explosion was once again up to its messy, high-energy antics onstage with appearances at a number of major festivals and hefty touring to promote the deluxe reissue of its back catalogue.

For this return trip to San Francisco (it's first since playing Bimbo's 365 Club two years ago), the trio brings songs from Meat and Bone, the first new Blues Explosion album in eight years. Brimming with the kind of raw urgency that powered the band's classic early efforts, songs like the funky "Get Your Pants Off" (which could be a lost outtake from Orange), the rollicking, piano-pounding rager "Danger" and the punk stomp of "Black Thoughts" show Spencer and company haven't lost a step despite easing into their 40s. Expect a wide range of fans to gather at the Great American  Music Hall ready to sweat when the Blues Explosion play Saturday night with opening act, Portland, OR-based indie rock outfit Quasi.

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Saturday, Nov. 10, 8:30 p.m. $21-$23
Great American Music Hall