There are those who say that noise rock bands are just that — noise. There are those who hate the idea of noise rock and hate any band that attempts it — including Tokyo, Japan’s Melt Banana, set to play Hell’s Kitchen tonight.



While everyone is entitled to an opinion, and to some Melt Banana may sound like a coalition of talentless toddlers, I beg to differ. There are those who probably think creating racket like Melt Banana is easy.



Well, maybe, but probably not. Melt Banana has, after all, toured with and opened for Tool — one of the biggest bands in rock. Doesn’t a band have to be doing something right to open for Tool?



The answer is yes.



Over the course of a 15-year career, Melt Banana has also unleashed eight full-length noise records on the world, ranging from the almost completely inaccessible Speak Squeak Creak, released in 1994, to the slightly less inaccessible Cell-Scape, released in 2003. Melt Banana’s music takes a certain type of ear — not one turned away by shrieks and squeals, or beeps and bloops. It’s not for everyone. Combining the debatable talents of vocalist Yasuko Onuki, guitarist Ichirou Agata, and bassist Rikia Mm’ (the band has featured a rotating slew of drummers since Toshiaki Sudoh quit the band in the late ’90s), Melt Banana’s most recent record is Bambi’s Dilemma, released on April 24 of ’07.



Guess what? It’s noisy and hard to understand. Bet you didn’t see that coming.



The band’s live show is what grabs people. Live is the format to appreciate Melt Banana, and luckily for Tacoma, live is just how you’ll get the band on tonight. Melt Banana isn’t for everyone, but they just may be for you.



[Hell’s Kitchen, with The Abodox, Madraso and As Dead As O-Ren, 9 p.m., $8-$10, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]