THURSDAY 5/19

LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, SUNMAY
(Triple Door) See Border Radio, page 36.

NA, SCHLAZE CUBED, DJ SHIKIRI SHOGUN
(CHAC Lower Level) Na are a Japanese trio transplanted to Seattle who traipse along the lonesome path where lunatic-fringe pop, improv, and third-grade music class converge. They employ classical guitar, piano, electric guitar, laptop, a children's drum kit, several cymbals, deranged laughter, camera shutter clicks, and screams in their own language. As with listening to the Shaggs, you may frequently ask yourself "Are they serious?" while experiencing Na's music. Everett trio Schlaze Cubed seem to be serious in their desire to reclaim the rugged psychedelic legacy of groundbreakers like Chrome, Heldon, and This Heat, and put a heady Kraut-rock topspin over it. This is my kind of retro homaging, because most mugs never even knew these pioneers existed in the first place. DAVE SEGAL

DERBY, THE CLOVES, SAMEER SHUKLA & THE PART-TIME LOVERS
(Crocodile) Word 'round the campfire says Derby transfixes audiences to the point that they can't remember to order another drink. I don't know if that's bad news for us or the club owners, but regardless, the buzz is building fast around this Portland trio. Derby specialize in hazy, layered pop like Sloan on a daydream bender, and their debut, This Is the New You, is as solid as debuts get. It's an impressive stack of crunchy chords and clapping hands with harmony vocals so note-perfect it's easy to mistake them for keyboard licks. Plans are in motion for New You to get a proper release on a proper label in July, so I'd latch onto them at this show before they become everyone else's pet band. Be forewarned: They sound much bigger than a three-piece. BRIAN J. BARR

SMOOSH, DJ CHERRY CANOE
(Showbox) Tonight's show is a benefit presented by Friends of Arthur, a local organization started in support of a local 5-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with autism. As an effort to raise money to pay for Arthur's intervention therapy (which is not covered by the state or health insurance), Friends of Arthur are hosting this all-ages show featuring music by Smoosh and DJ Cherry Canoe, as well as food, a silent auction (featuring stuff like vacations to Mexico, iPods, and Mac Minis), and raffle prizes. More information can be found at www.friends-arthur.org. MEGAN SELING

LIPSTICK CONSPIRACY, EVIL TWIN, ANNUBIAN NIGHTS
(Catwalk) After decades of dabbling in nonsurgical genderfuck, rock 'n' roll finally has its first all-tranny band. Based in San Francisco, where the group was named 2004's Best Girl Band by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Lipstick Conspiracy hits Seattle armed with a new CD-Don't Tell a Soul, a glammy '80s dance party in five easy tracks-and a sincere desire to blow your mind. DAVID SCHMADER

FRIDAY 5/20

TINKLE, THE THERMALS
(Showbox) See preview, page 25 and Stranger Suggests, page 19.

DAEDELUS, MONTAG, DECEPTIKON, VARIFORM
(CHAC) See Data Breaker, page 45.

MARK FARINA, AC LEWIS
(Chop Suey) Farina's seemingly never-ending tour stops in Seattle tonight, with the Chicago DJ dropping three hours of downtempo cuts for your low-end pleasure, in support of his new mix, Mushroom Jazz Volume 5 (Om). There's a good reason Farina's on the road more than he's chilling at his crib: Dude has a keen ear for the finest soulful house and sensuous downtempo and instrumental-hiphop tracks, and knows how to mix 'em for maximum goose-bump inducement. DAVE SEGAL

TOMMY ALL THE WAY THROUGH, SLENDER MEANS, MATH AND PHYSICS CLUB
(Crocodile) If you're one of those Who fans for whom the band's classic 1969 rock opera Tommy cannot be brought to the stage often enough, you're in luck. Local musicians are performing the story of the legendary deaf, dumb, and blind boy at the Crocodile, playing everything from the opening notes of "Overture" through the "We're Not Gonna Take It" finale. Leading up to that performance are sets by two local acts, Slender Means and Math and Physics Club-the latter of whom have quenched many a Seattle Belle & Sebastian fan's thirst for delicate indie pop. The event is another benefit for Crocodile booker Pete Greenberg, whose lack of health insurance recently put his hospital payments in the hands of his generous friends. JENNIFER MAERZ

VERONA, THE SENATE ARCADE, JUHU BEACH
(High Dive) Watch me cover all the vital stats about both Verona and the Senate Arcade in one fell swoop: Piercing male vocals that wail impossibly high, past the point where you think nature can carry them, and then scale even a bit fiercer, stronger, higher? Check. Tenacious guitars, raucous songwriting, and ferocious rhythm sections that coalesce into complex yet incredibly likeable songs? Check. Dazzling stage shows with super-handsome frontmen (and sidemen too)? Check. Combine these dazzling similarities with the spot-on indie-rock melodies of Juhu Beach, and someone had better award a gold star to the genius booker who put this bill together. Do you have your calendars marked yet? Go check. DANA BOS

SHOPLIFTING, KING COBRA, DOOMSDAY 1999, GUESTS (Old Firehouse) Just because you haven't seen Shoplifting in a while doesn't mean they're outta commission. The smart Seattle post-punk/no-wave band recently changed their lineup (an Australian named Mel will be playing bass with the band this summer) and they're gearing up to record a new LP in July. Keep an ear on these guys (and gals). JENNIFER MAERZ

SATURDAY 5/21

TRILLIAN GREEN, RAFE PEARLMAN
(Tractor) See Border Radio, page 36.

...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD, THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY, WE ARE WOLVES
(Showbox) See preview, page 29 and Stranger Suggests, page 19.

FEVER: DJ SUMMAH JAMZ, MAC, JIZOSH
(Vera Project) See All Ages Action, page 46.

THE VALLEY, TWO TON BOA, NEW FANGS, ANDREA MAXAND
(CHAC Lower Level) After an extended hibernation that left the faithful wandering lost in the woods, Two Ton Boa is back from the cave and ready to feed. From plaintive love ballads to junk cabaret to the direst of dirges, Sherry Fraser's throbbing vision comes alive in a dual-bass attack that curls around your heart and squeezes you into submission. Clamorous drums and piano are added to the propulsive ooze of snaky bass lines, transforming Two Ton Boa into a slow-motion industrial accident that thrashes beautifully. And with her imperial voice that strides between angel and harpy, Madame Fraser is just as likely to inspire swooning as slam-dancing. DAN PAULUS

THE GIRLS, THE TURN-ONS, WHITE GOLD, NACHOS, DJ PACO
(Chop Suey) Okay, so when I reported that the Girls broke up a couple months back, I wasn't lying. But when they send their guitarist Zache Davis off to New York, that's at least cause to set up a big finale of a show. Tonight marks glam punks the Girls' supposed closing act, and they're paired with the stratospheric rock of the Turn-Ons, who have been busy at work on their new record, which should come out some time this year. JENNIFER MAERZ

PINE*AM, INFOMATIK, PLEASURECRAFT
(High Dive) Nobody does cutie-pie pop better-or with more sincerity-than the Japanese. Osaka's PINE*am are a three-woman group that'll draw their fair share of Shonen Knife comparisons, but PINE*am thankfully aren't as chirpy and peppy as the older J-pop band. PINE*am's U.S. debut disc, Pull the Rabbit Ears (Eenie Meenie), indulges in slightly moody, mildly sweet dream pop à la Lush and balances it with pumping, upbeat dance trifles that sound like Devo and OMD toss-offs. They make their Seattle debut tonight, and if you see them live, there's an 83 percent chance you'll fall in love. DAVE SEGAL

JASON HODGES
(Trinity) DJ Sneak once called Hodges "the Kenny Dope of Toronto." If that makes any sense to you, you need to hit Trinity tonight. Even if it doesn't, it wouldn't hurt you to take a chance on an unfamiliar DJ once in a while. Though Hodges is fondly regarded for EPs like Hot Jizz All Up in Yo Face and Fuck Hodges and his thorough understanding of da funk, he is most renowned as a house DJ who's held an advanced degree in crowd movement since the early '90s. DAVE SEGAL

MC CHRIS, THE SATURDAY KNIGHTS
(El Corazón) If you've yet to see the Saturday Knights, you've either been out of town or you hate fun. The local hiphop quartet have enough one-liners to hit the comedy-club circuit (between MCs Barfly and Tilsen, watch out), yet they channel their good humor into songs about wearing "patches on the elbows" and having weird haircuts, songs that match samples from Blue Cheer and girl groups to party-starting beats. Tonight they're paired with MC Chris from the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup. Chris has released a couple of CDs independently, but his debut, Life's a Bitch and I'm Her Pimp, is available for download at www.mcchris.com. The disc contains tracks that mix cracked skits about the death of pop punk with high-energy dance songs, all of which are spiked with Chris' self-effacing humor. Sample: "Fucking Up My Christmas," which he claims is the new "fucking up my shit." And for all the slapstick involved, the music itself is far from routine. JENNIFER MAERZ

SUNDAY 5/22

JULIETTE & THE LICKS, THE HOLLOWPOINTS, RIVER CITY REBELS
(El Corazón) See preview, page 27.

TINKLE, THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
(Showbox) See preview, page 25 and Stranger Suggests, page 19.

MONDAY 5/23

STEREO TOTAL, HAWNAY TROOF, THE GOSSIP
(Chop Suey) See preview, page 31.

SLEATER-KINNEY LISTENING PARTY
(Laser Theater) See Stranger Suggests, page 19.

PETER MURPHY, SARAH FIMM
(Showbox) Don't hate on former Bauhaus singer Peter Murphy just because he was once in a risk-taking-if occasionally grating-group that inspired legions of less-gifted drama-club castoffs to don fishnet tank tops and eyeliner in their wake. Sheesh, a pair of reunion tours excepted (and well-played ones, at that), Bauhaus hasn't even been a band for 22 years. Although the British expatriate (he now resides in Turkey) is still considered a bit poncey back home, U.S. audiences have been more loyal to him as a solo artist; his moody 1990 signature tune, "Cuts You Up," still sounds better than 95 percent of the cack clogging modern rock radio (although some of his recent disc, 2004's Unshattered, recalls the more pompous flights of U2), and his infrequent tours pack houses. And with good reason: Murphy remains in great, brooding voice, and is a consummate showman, chewing up the stage like the love child of Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey that never was, in the version of Cabaret 2: The Encore that never should be. Are you listening, Las Vegas developers? Build this man a casino show room. Now! KURT B. REIGHLEY

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW
(Tractor) Do not let the name scare you off. Despite a moniker that could slide into Hee Haw territory, the Nashville-based band Old Crow Medicine Show aren't a novelty act of guys lamely playing bluegrass-style covers of rock songs à la Hayseed Dixie. They are a reverent, old-school string band centered on guitar, banjo, and upright bass, playing traditional music and originals in the same vein. They may play rave-ups, but I don't quite believe the angle that they bring a punk accent to bluegrass (besides which, bluegrass already has a punk edge: it can be played with frightening abandon, as fast as hell). Their debut album, produced by Gillian Welch's songwriting partner David Rawlings, was a gorgeously spare collection of songs, but it's as a live band that this 21st-century quartet truly blazes and lays any notions of old-time music to waste. NATE LIPPENS

TUESDAY 5/24

SIGHTINGS, THE FACTUMS, WITHDRAWAL METHOD
(Funhouse) See preview, page 31.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW
(Tractor) See Monday's preview.

SAM PREKOP, PIT ER PAT
(Neumo's) In this ever-changing world, there's at least one thing on which you can count: Sam Prekop will sing in that laid-back, suave manner over devil-may-care bossa nova-inflected soft rock (although "C + F" off 2005's Who's Your New Professor recalls T. Rex's "Mambo Sun"). As leader of Chicago's the Sea and Cake and as a solo artist, Prekop has cooed his way to medium-sized cult status and given old Steely Dan fans a younger band to clutch to their sagging bosoms. Don't ever change, babe. Chicago trio Pit Er Pat sound like precious art-school students with a fondness for Helium and Blonde Redhead's baroquely lacy indie rock, except PEP are rhythmically busier. Everything about Pit Er Pat-from the name to the album title (Shakey) to the creepy insect-infested cover art to the cloyingly sweet vocals and awkward rhythms-rubs me the wrong way. As I'm sure this preview does them. DAVE SEGAL

WEDNESDAY 5/25

PANDA & ANGEL, LOVE HOTEL, THE CHARITY STRIPE
(Crocodile) Josh Wackerly, who worked with Jenn Ghetto on the last S record, is putting his efforts into a new delicate-sounding act, Panda & Angel. Here he teams up with Touchdown Eagle's Carrie Murphy, as well as Laura Enderle, Kara Kikuchi, and Sera Cahoone (Carissa's Wierd). Together they transcend somber topics like suicide and pill addiction with simple, elegant instrumentation (strings, acoustic and electric guitar) and hushed vocal harmonies that occasionally shift into shoegazer territory. JENNIFER MAERZ

IAN MOORE, MATT THE ELECTRICIAN
(Tractor) Even though Ian Moore lives nearby on Vashon Island, it's always a rare treat when he actually plays Seattle, simply because the guy tours so tirelessly that hometown appearances are frustratingly infrequent. As easy on the ears as he is on the eyes, Moore's meticulously crafted pop-soul songs and impassioned vocal delivery result in the sort of live experience where the audience vacillates between one of two extremes: rapt attention and exuberant applause. Fresh from an extensive European tour with Tres Chicas, he is joined this evening by Matt the Electrician, an engaging songwriter from Austin, Texas, who shares Moore's affection for rich lyrical details and graceful arrangements. Hopefully he'll play his slow-tempo cover of Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl," an interpretation that's surprisingly moving, despite how odd that might sound initially. HANNAH LEVIN

MORE

SNOOP DOGG, THE GAME: Sat May 28, White River Amphitheatre

FINCH, VENDETTA RED, REEVE OLIVER, NURSES: Mon May 30, El Corazón

SLEATER-KINNEY, MARY TIMONY: Tues May 31, Moore

AQUALUNG: Fri June 3, Showbox

ENDFEST-SOCIAL DISTORTION, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, INTERPOL, HOT HOT HEAT, STEREOPHONICS, THE BRAVERY, ASH, KAISER CHIEFS, THE CAESARS, KASABIAN, TEGAN AND SARA, GUESTS: Sat June 4, White River Amphitheatre

PINBACK, PLEASEEASAUR, TIC CODE: Tues June 7, Neumo's