THURSDAY 9/2

MARK MURPHY with NEW STORIES
(New Orleans, through Sat Sept 4) For over three decades, Mark's been a jazz singer and a globe- trotting beatnik/hepcat of sorts (who's even incorporated Beat writings into his songs). As such, his scope is wide, but he does favor Brazil. Mark's also known for his volatile, viper-driven scatting style, so be prepared for some hits and misses. That is the nature of jazz, though, and pianist Marc Seales' (the UW's Jazz Chair) fine trio (who backed him on 1997's "Song for the Geese") will be on hand to pick him up and swing the grooves right back into shape. -- James Kirchmer

JAVON JACKSON
(Jazz Alley) Javon Jackson is a talented tenor player who has a gift that's rare among young sax players today: the presence of mind to take a breath from his hard bop lines and let the groove work itself out. Despite the fact that he sharpened his licks with old school stars like Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, and Ron Carter, Jackson's sound is fresher and newer than most you'll find at Jazz Alley. It's the breathing room that does the trick, steering Jackson's show from esoterica to a more modern and accessible lounge/jazz hybrid. Dr. Lonnie Smith, a pioneering jazz organist, will ably fill the smoky spaces left between solos. All in all, it's a fine ticket for the off-Bumbershoot crowd. -- Nathan Thornburgh

LOWERCASE, THE THRONES, PLEASEEASAUR, THE LIES
(Breakroom) Hailing from Palm Desert, CA, Lowercase knows how to do the rushing-forward-then-pulling-back thing correctly -- you don't have to get all shouty and screamy to make a point. When the lyrics are miserable, the music sighs and mutters; when the words turn angry, it's the guitars that do the yelling. -- Kathleen Wilson

R.E.M.
(Bumbershoot) Well, see, there's this little band you might not have heard of called R.E.M. And what they do is play these tiny, intimate shows at hole-in-the-wall venues. See, there's this little festival called Bumbershoot this weekend -- this is probably news to most of you -- and it's gonna have food and music and performances and art. I know you probably have other plans, but if you can tear yourself away.... There will only be about 20 people there to see R.E.M., 'cause they're so underground, you know, so you should go out and support the scene. -- Erin Franzman

TACO THURSDAY EXTREME
(Mothership, 7404 Pacific Hwy, Milton, WA) The wait is over, kids. The undisputed winner of Press Release of the Week goes to Mothership, "A Brand New 500 Seat 'Concert-Club' on the Pierce-King County Line!" Taco Thursday Extreme goes from 4 pm 'til midnight, and features a "Free Outdoor Music Festival Featuring Bastard Sons of the Nuge & No Quarter!" Well of course the Press Release of the Week panel of judges was sold after that, purely on the hope that the Bastard Sons of the Nuge are a Ted Nugent cover band. But that's just the beginning: "Outdoor Beer Garden! Hot Rod Show! Giant Harley Gathering! 75¢ Tacos! Miller Girls!" Miller Girls, readers! Our panel of judges assumes that these are not the Miller Girls of New York debutante society fame, who went on to make brilliant matches with Prince Pavlos of Greece, Alexander Von Furstenburg, and that Getty heir. (Our panel of judges follows the society pages slavishly.) But if not, then who are these Miller Girls? This one goes into the Press Release of the Week Hall of Fame. -- EF


FRIDAY 9/3

BLUNDERSHOOT
(Crocodile & Showbox) Labor Day weekend has traditionally been a vacant one for Seattle nightlife, what with Bumbershoot and all, so this year The Stranger, the Crocodile, and the Showbox have thrown together Blundershoot, a weekend-long event designed to give the people of our fair city something to do after they've exhausted their tolerance of the mass public. An event completely void of screaming children, shirtless hairy men (God willing), and yuppie couples with matching fannypacks dancing to reggae. An event where you won't have to stand in line any longer than you normally would at a show just to get a beer. An event where some of the bands you know by name, some you know just by their music. A secret and mysterious event that takes place over three nights, in two clubs, with 20 bands.

Here's what's happening:

Fri Sept 3, Harvey Danger, Grace, and Hafacat are playing at the Showbox, along with two "secret squirrel" bands called "XXX" and "Herry Vappy." THAT SAME NIGHT, at the Crocodile, C Average and Mountain Con. will be taking the stage, along with "The 'I Would Like to Do That' Brothers."

Sat Sept 4, the event moves solely to the Crocodile, with Gerald Collier and Shuggie, along with "Hot Pockets" and "Suite Cheetah."

Sun Sept 5, both clubs are back in action with Peter Parker, FCS North, "Hairless Ape," and "The Sure Try Hards" taking over the Showbox. Over at the Crocodile, OtherStarPeople, Subminute:Radio, Chokebore, and "The White Ladies."

Tickets are $8 a night, joint cover. And there will be a bus shooting back and forth between the clubs on Friday and Sunday so you won't have to lift a finger, other than to order another drink. -- Bradley Steinbacher

STEVE MILLER BAND
(Gorge Amphitheatre) Some people call him the "Space Cowboy," while still others might prefer "the gangster of love." But, you see, I like to call him Maurice, because... well, let's just say I like the name Maurice. Regardless! I'm sure you've experienced the following scenario: You put your hand in one pocket -- and pull out a wad of cash. You put your hand in the other pocket -- and... and... it seems you've misplaced your "Trailer Trash Boogie Rock Club" membership card! Only one way to get it back: Put on your fave Budweiser tank top, comb that mullet, and use that huge wad of moolah to purchase a ticket for the Undisputed King of the Dopey Lyricists, "Maurice" Miller at the Gorge. Now that's what I call the "pomputus of love!" -- Wm. Steven Humphrey

MICHAEL HILL'S BLUES MOB
(Old Timer's) He's too wordy for some; others bitch about his guitar pyrotechnics. But if you've got Attention Deficit Disorder, or if regular bone-slow blues leaves you feeling distracted, then Michael Hill has plenty for you to focus on. Hill's blues are a thick mix of crafted lyrics and fast-flying improvisations. Even though his latest album, New York State of the Blues, represents a simplification of his style, Michael Hill remains one of America's more intriguing and challenging bluesmen. Congratulations to Old Timer's for convincing Hill and his Mob (actually just a quartet) to grace its corner of Pioneer Square. -- NT

CHICAGO
(Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, also Sat Sept 4) Although there are many reasons my first real boyfriend became an ex, the fact that he dragged me with him to see Chicago not once but SEVERAL times remains near the top of the list. There's no denying that songs like "Saturday in the Park" are genuine classics, but not even a Barry Manilow-lovin' individual like myself can be expected to endure the level of schmaltz this band has been cranking out since before Duran Duran first cracked the charts. Ouch. -- Barbara Mitchell


SATURDAY 9/4

SOLOPLEXUS
(Elysian Brewery) The great thing about ongoing multi-band festivals is that they tend to take on their own identity, drawing crowds regardless of who's on the bill -- think Lollapalooza, think Warped Tour, think Soloplexus. Actually, it would behoove you to think Soloplexus, since this sporadically produced affair continually unearths new and promising Seattle talent. Tonight's performance includes Jason Hughes, Greg Fling, Nancy Wharton, Elizabeth Carpenter, Diana Knudson, and Steve Cavit; however, this is an event that's always worth checking out. -- BM

PLUSH SAFE
(Baltic Room) Elegant surroundings attract beautiful people, and weekends find this romantic rendezvous buzzing with flattering, candle-lit conversations. Which is great if you're on a date (or looking for one), but not much fun if you're there to check out the band. Great acts have the ability to rise above any din, though, and Plush Safe's sumptuous soul music will surely bring a halt to some of the intimate chatter. Or, at the very least, a respectful hush will spread as attentions and conversational topics turn toward the front of the room and Whitney James' to-die-for voice. -- JK

LABOR DAY 1999 REGGAE FESTIVAL
(White Horse Mountain Amphitheatre, Darrington, WA, through Sun Sept 5) Reggae fans rejoice! If the idea of catching Jimmy Cliff in Seattle Center's concrete jungle doesn't appeal to you, head out on Highway 530 past Arlington to these beautiful, base-of-the-Cascades surroundings, including a river (suitable for swimming) and a glacier-covered 7,000 ft. peak! Jimmy plays on Sunday along with Michael Rose (of Black Uhuru fame), Andrew Tosh, and ex-Marley sideman George "Fully" Fullwood and his band. Saturday brings stars such as Inner Circle, California's rising Big Mountain, and ex-Gladiator Clinton Fearon and Boogie Brown. Admission runs $30/day or $50/weekend. For more info visit www.shadowpromotions.com or call 360-436-1382. -- JK


SUNDAY 9/5

DJ SPOOKY THAT SUBLIMINAL KID
(Temple Theatre, Tacoma) If you keep reminding people how smart you are, no matter stupid it makes you look, were you really ever that smart to begin with? Riddle me that, Paul D. Miller. The most self-important musician since those Oasis brothers wished AIDS on Blur, DJ Spooky is responsible for the relentless sub- genres of electronica. When he decided his music was too revolutionary to be called ambient, he coined "illbient" and sent a thousand chin-stroking, knob-fiddling hipsters into fits of semantic ecstasy. If you ask me, "illbient" rhymes with "boring." But you didn't ask me, and Spooky's spooky fans are devoted to the "vibe" of his live performances. -- EF

LORI CARSON
(Tractor Tavern) It makes sense that Lori Carson would be part of the No Depression anniversary festivities, even if her music isn't quite twangy enough to generally qualify for inclusion in the y'all-ternative army. The whole alt-country movement has marked a return to good old-fashioned songwriting, and Carson is both a gifted writer and vocalist. Her work several years ago with Anton Fier in the Golden Palominos was downright breathtaking, and both her subsequent solo albums have drawn much-deserved critical attention. Now that female singer/songwriters seem to be coming into their own as commercial entities, maybe she'll finally get the public's attention as well. -- BM

IMPERIAL TEEN/DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
(Metropolis, Olympia) They'll both be at Bumbershoot tomorrow, but since they're so damn good, you should see them in Olympia, too. In fact, these are bands you should see as many times as you can. Just go see Death Cab for Cutie, and you can thank us later. Ditch work, school, church, baseball, and your crippled grandma if that's what it takes. Actually, take grandma with you. -- EF


MONDAY 9/6

LOS VAN VAN
(Bumbershoot) Islands that are isolated and insulated tend to spawn their own unique life forms. That's the reason why Madagascar has lemurs, why Australia is overrun with wild dingoes, and why the Cuban supergroup Los Van Van is unlike any other band in the world. Thirty years ago, Van Van leader Juan Formell began tinkering with traditional Cuban son music by adding elements of charanga, with its flute and violin, and salsa, with its sharper brass sound. The result was songo, which has forever changed the way Cuban music is played on and off the island. The best part is that, history aside, Los Van Van plays for people who dance, and their never-failing, super-tight rhythms are sure to screw you up physically as well as culturally. And don't forget, their weekly gigs at the Habana Cafe near Havana's waterfront this summer sold out at $25 a head, which is more than two month's salary for the average Cuban. In comparison, these tickets should be easy to come by. -- NT


TUESDAY 9/7

JOHNNY WINTER
(Showbox) Break out the cheap beer and Jack Daniels! Three decades after screaming out on the scene, this skinny, fair-haired (albino!) guitar legend is still stomping out the same kinda gutsy, in-your-face blues-rock that's made him so popular over the years. He has aged well, like good whiskey, and correctly attributes his late '60s rise to his music "being blacker than any other white musician's and more technical than black musician's." The pretty-boy pussies now selling millions of guitar-prodigy records (Johnny Lang, for example) ought to be hanging with Johnny, but their mommas and agents surely don't want 'em to. Born in Mississippi and raised in Texas, Johnny has done his share of living and should have no trouble turnin' the Showbox into a rocked-up roadhouse. -- JK


WEDNESDAY 9/8

ZONY MASH
(OK Hotel, through Sat Sept 11) Keyboardist/composer Wayne Horvitz is a charter member of New York City's still-thriving downtown scene, alongside musicians such as John Zorn and Bill Frisell (Wayne can be heard on his latest CD). His best bands have come to fruition around here, though, starting with Pigpen (which starred Sex Mob's Briggan Krauss), and now Zony Mash, one of the tastiest and hardest jammin' groups I've ever seen. Energized Fillmore-era inspirations mingle with modern, syncopated melodies and many swinging tunes best described as Horvitz-styled. Basically, the band's a funky, Hammond B3-fueled funnel for all his varied influences. Today marks the first of four consecutive OK Hotel shows for this incredible group: Bill Frisell joins in on Friday, followed by a horn section on Saturday, but don't miss the two nostalgic three-set lounge shows, starting tonight. -- JK