The cult of Neutral Milk Hotel isn’t fading.
The indie rock group is back on tour, filling large theaters across the country mostly on the strength of its two full-length albums, the last of which, “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea,” saw release in 1998.
The group, led by Jeff Magnum, didn’t make a dent on the charts during its few productive years, but its experimental indie folk has slowly accrued feverishly devoted followers.
Now, the band pops up in all sorts of unexpected places. Just one example: John Green, the author of “The Fault in Our Stars,” paid homage to the band in his best-selling teen drama, “Will Grayson, Will Grayson,” exposing a new generation of teens to the group’s off-kilter joys.
And its albums are better sellers today than they were upon their release. “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea,” an album released to whispers 17 years ago, is considered a modern classic — a steady seller that, in 2008, was the sixth best-selling vinyl album of the year.
Now, the group returns to Seattle at 8 p.m. June 4 for a show at the Paramount Theatre. Fans may want to see the group — on its website, the band says this tour will be its last “for the foreseeable future.”
Tickets are $30.25 to $32.75 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Meanwhile, the Mountain Goats are headed back to Seattle for a concert at the Showbox at 9 p.m. May 29.
The band, led by songwriter John Darnielle, has its own devoted cult following as well, thanks in large part to the lyrics of its frontman.
Darnielle has become famous for his writing, both lyrics and books. He won wide acclaim last year for his debut novel, “Wolf in White Van,” a dark story about a man deformed by a failed suicide attempt who finds solace in an elaborate role-playing game.
He’s touring now behind his latest album, “Beat the Champ,” a typically tuneful concept album that, in this case, paid homage to the professional wrestlers of Darnielle’s childhood.
Tickets are $26.50 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
The Showbox also will host Best Coast, as the California duo hit the venue at 9 p.m. June 4.
Led by singer Bethany Cosentino, the indie pop act’s 1960s inspired sounds gained a following in 2010 with kids in the counter-culture thanks to the band’s affinity for weed and its songs about love.
The group has since released a string of lauded albums, recording with a steady mix of hip producers, including Jon Brion, who also has worked with Fiona Apple and Kanye West.
The group is touring now after the May release of its third album, “California Nights,” which won the group praise for its increasingly anthemic sound.
Tickets are $20 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
The coming week also will bring a pair of concerts to the Showbox’s sister venue, the Showbox SoDo. First up is Apocalyptica, which plays the SoDo at 9 p.m. May 29.
The Finnish group first gained acclaim in the mid-1990s with an album of Metallica covers done on cello. The appropriately titled “Plays Metallica on Cello” helped the group win an audience, and subsequent albums found the band partnering with a rotating cast of rock vocalists, including Gavin Rossdale of Bush and Till Lindemann of Rammstein.
The band, which often releases live discs, is touring now behind its eighth studio album, “Shadowmaker.” That disc found the group turning to Franky Perez, vocalist for Scars on Broadway, for help behind the microphone.
Tickets are $25 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
Then Yelawolf will hit the Showbox SoDo for a concert at 9 p.m. June 3.
The rapper, part of Eminem’s stable of talent, released his debut album, “Radioactive,” in 2011. Featuring guest spots from Kid Rock, Lil Jon and Eminem himself, the album was a success, hitting No. 27 on the charts.
Now Yelawolf is on tour following the release of his second album for Shady Records, “Love Story,” which found the Alabama-born rapper getting a little help from Dr. Dre on a few tracks.
Tickets are $20 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
Finally, the Crocodile will host famed punk act Refused for a show at 8 p.m. May 30.
The Swedish act remains influential to this day thanks to its bristly sound and landmark albums including 1998’s “The Shape of Punk to Come.”
White Lung, another punk act, will open the show. The group has made a mark in recent years with a sound that draws heavily on inspiration from Courtney Love and her band, Hole.
Tickets are sold-out but can be found at a mark-up at stubhub.com.
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