May 25-31, 2005
Thursday, May 26
Bill Frisell
Seattle's favorite jazz guitarist is joined by drummer Brian Blade and Hammond B-3 organist Sam Yahel for this four-night stand. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $21.50/$23.50 Also Friday, May 27–Monday, May 29
Kelly Clarkson
Still trying to figure out whether "Since U Been Gone" is transcendent or simply the most overrated piece of mainstream pop-rock in ages, but either way it's a hell of a lot better than what she started out doing, meaning the TV show and the records both. Paramount Theatre, 7:30 p.m. $39.50
VNV Nation
What if we told you that industrial-rock-dance hearkened back to late-'80s/early-'90s Wax Trax! You don't have to believe it, of course, but if that sounds at all enticing to you, why not give it a shot? Imperative Action open. Showbox, 8 p.m. $20 adv./$25
The Valley + Alta May + Beautiful Mothers
SEE CD REVIEW, P. 85. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $6
Friday, May 27
Razrez + the Cops + Infomatik + Smile Brigade
A member of Razrez used to be in Automaton, one of the Cops used to be in Kinski, and from the sounds of things, it's as if all of Infomatik used to be in New Order. Live in the now, sure, but these bands have some nice back story, too. VERA Project, 9 p.m.
The Ruby Doe
If the Ruby Doe keep producing music like that found on their latest, Always With Wings, they're gonna decipher the meaning of the universe via complicated guitar-etry. We hope we're there, head-banging away when it happens. Old Firehouse, 16510 N.E. 79th St., Redmond, 425-556-2370. 8 p.m. $6.
The Dears
They've been termed a "pint-sized pop orchestra," and they're not afraid to be lush; they're also from Canada. If you care at all, you've already got your ticket; if none of those things registers, the Dears aren't going to change your mind. Shout Out Louds and Marjorie Fair open. Crocodile Cafe, 8 p.m. $10
Of Montreal
Maybe it's that the city they're named for is undergoing a hype wave that anyone who lived here 14 years ago would recognize, but Athens' Of Montreal have stepped up to the plate in a major way lately. The Sunlandic Twins (Polyvinyl) is one of the most captivating indie albums of the year. IQU and Kanda open. Chop Suey, 5:30 p.m. $8
The Crystal Method
After two fluke electronica-bubble club hits, this Vegas-gone-L.A. duo hit the skids, record-making-wise. But here, they'll be playing other people's records, which shoves the recommend-o-meter up a notch. Element, 9 p.m. $17 adv./$22
Camper Van Beethoven + Young Criminals Starvation League
At first it was good news that CVB were back together—they made good records in the '80s and lots of folks wanted to see 'em play them. Too bad they went and made another one, the lifeless New Roman Times, last year. YCSL are Bobby Bare Jr.'s band, warming up for the leader's Sasquatch set. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $25
Asylum Street Spankers
Are these guys living here now or what? It sure seems like it, because the jokey, skillful Austin band seems to play here every three weeks or so. OK, every three months. Still. Tractor Tavern, 8 p.m. $12 adv./$14
Hiroshima
Jazz-fusion with decidedly Asian flavor, this L.A. septet is probably best known outside aficionados for recording the theme song of Food Network's East Meets West. Triple Door, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. $35 Also Saturday, May 28
Saturday, May 28
The Rotten Apples
Led by feisty and fantastic frontwoman Dejha Colantuono (girlfriend can sing), the Rotten Apples blend '70s punk, '50s soul, and '80s MTV-era pop to create perfect shake-your-can music. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8
Kitchen Syncopators + Michael Hurley
Kitchen Syncopators are nice and all, but it's Hurley we're jazzed about. A food-fond folkie with a handful of great records to his credit (1980's Snockgrass and his portions of 1976's Have Moicy! in particular), Hurley's an easygoing showman with a lot of songs and not a few jokes, always a nice thing in an acoustic performer. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $8
Caribou + Junior Boys
The headliners are OK-ish laptop-indie, but it's the middle group that's worth watching (in the figurative if not literal sense, since their stage presence is basically nil). Last Exit, the rapturous album Junior Boys issued last year, is still the best indietronica fusion disc of the past half-decade; hopefully the new stuff will be just as good. Russian Futurists open. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10
Akimbo
Metal crunches always, but the best of it swings, too, and that's what Akimbo do—their stuff moves as hard as it hits. Lords and Patrol open. El Corazon, 9 p.m. $6
Snoop Dogg + the Game
The headliner's cranked out lots of good singles, just as many crap ones, and gets by on his ill-begotten charisma regardless. The opener doesn't even have much in the way of charisma, unfortunately—just a big promo push and a bunch of N.W.A references. White River Amphitheatre, 40601 Auburn Enumclaw Rd., Auburn, 206-628-0888, 7:30 p.m. $25–$46 adv.
Sasquatch: Pixies + Modest Mouse + Kanye West + Wilco + the Arcade Fire + Ray Lamontange + Jem + Bloc Party + U.S.E. + A.C. Newman + the Frames + Bobby Bare Jr. + Be Good Tanyas + Benevento-Russo Duo + Matisyahu + Visqueen + Blue Scholars + Smoosh + Aqueduct
Indie rockers, gather round for the sustenance you've been yearning for. It's time again to catch up with old favorites like college-rock pioneers the Pixies and breakthrough artists like Modest Mouse. Seattle power-pop favorites Visqueen always put on a great show, and will be seen with other locals on the Yeti Stage. For the full Sasquatch experience, you'll want to camp at the Gorge. And at just $30 a day (per vehicle) it's quite the um . . . bargain. Then you and other concertgoers can sit around a campfire singing "Float On" as an expression of your solidarity. Gorge Amphitheatre, 754 Silica Rd. N.W., George, 206-628-0888, 11 a.m. $55
Sunday, May 29
Daniel Johnson Benefit: Broadcast Debut + M-Set + Royal Bliss + Dope Smoothie
Four months ago, Johnson, 28, was in a skating accident, ending up with several fractures and a brain hemorrhage. He's out for another year because of the injury, and this bill, set up by his sister, will help defray the medical costs. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $7
Monday, May 30
Still Flyin'
Comprised of upward of 10 (membership tends to vary) San Franciscan indie rockers, Still Flyin' feature trombone, vibraphone, and a bevy of backup vocals as well as the much-lauded drumming of former Aisler's Set member Yoshi Nakamoto. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $7
Tuesday, May 31
Boom Bip + Fog
Fog, aka Andrew Broder, doesn't shy from experimentation—it's how he learned to produce his often-boring, sometimes-brilliant bedroom-tronica. Bam! New annoying genre name. Or is it? Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10
Sleater-Kinney + Mary Timony
SEE FEATURE, P. 83. Moore Theatre, 8 p.m. $17.50 adv./$20 E
UPCOMING SHOWS
June 4 Kathleen Edwards, Neumo's
June 7 Pinback, Neumo's
June 9 Meat Beat Manifesto, Neumo's
June 10 Peter Cincotti + Bebel Gilberto, Moore Theatre
June 10 DJ Krush, Showbox
June 10 Nekromantix, El Corazon
June 12 Steve Winwood, Chateau Ste. Michelle
June 13 Electrelane, Neumo's
June 14 Aesop Rock, Showbox
June 14 Deicide, Studio 7
June 14 Eisley, El Corazon
June 15 Rilo Kiley, Showbox
June 16-17 Built to Spill, Showbox
June 16 The Futureheads, Neumo's
June 17 Enon, Neumo's
June 18 Michael Bolton, Emerald Queen Casino
June 18 Tom Jones, Paramount Theatre
June 18 Lhasa, Neumo's
June 18 Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, Neumo's
June 18 Spoon + the Clientele, Showbox
June 22 Whitesnake, Paramount Theatre
June 25 Loggins & Messina, Gorge Amphitheatre
June 26 Six Feet Under, Studio 7
July 2-3 Widespread Panic, Gorge Amphitheatre
July 6 The Waifs, Showbox
July 8 Chuck Prophet + Pete Krebs & the Gossamer Wings + Elvis Huxley, Tractor Tavern
July 8 Hate Eternal, Studio 7
July 9 Gogol Bordello, Neumo's
July 9 Warped Tour, Gorge Amphitheatre
July 13 Gatsby's American Dream, El Corazon
July 17 Eminem + 50 Cent + Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz, White River Amphitheatre
July 18 The Go! Team, Neumo's
July 20 Marc Cohn + Suzanne Vega, Woodland Park Zoo
July 20 Waterson:Carthy, Tractor Tavern
July 21 Dierks Bentley, Showbox
July 23 Nicolai Dunger, Tractor Tavern
July 24 Alkaline Trio, Showbox
July 27 Bruce Hornsby, Woodland Park Zoo
July 27 Tears for Fears, Chateau Ste. Michelle
July 27-30 Creation Fest, Gorge Amphitheatre
July 30 Mark Knopfler, Chateau Ste. Michelle
July 30 Femi Kuti, Showbox
