Magik Markers (Seattle guitarist/vocalist Elisa Ambrogio and Brooklyn drummer Pete Nolan) have scraped their way toward America's noise-rock summit with an approach that reconciles understated songcraft with a smeared palette of cacophonies. The duo's newest album, Balf Quarry, benefits from new clarity thanks to producer Scott Colburn and an improved melodic sense without losing much of that bracing Markers prickliness. Sic Alps scuzz up garage rock like they've held a lifelong grudge against it, then top the mess with fetching tunes. With AFCGT. (Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000. 8 pm, $8 adv/$10 DOS, 21+.)