Music

Up & Coming

ACETYLENE
(Graceland) It's not often that a band gains a buzz so quickly, but not every new combo has the benefit of rising from the ashes of a group with the kind of substantial local following that Western State Hurricanes had. Acetylene, which features former WSH guitarist Stephanie Wicker, have only played a handful of times (the two shows this week will bring the total to five), but they've already got people talking. Look for a debut album out in early April, but catch 'em now, while you have the chance. BARBARA MITCHELL

PETE DROGE
(Crocodile) I was inclined to find Pete Droge tedious, as the first time I laid eyes on him he was flopped on a couch at a house party in Portland, moaning "everybody here is boring" while guzzling free beer. I found him to be a capable singer/songwriter, however, at a time when the market had yet to be flooded with Elliott Smith and his sound-alikes. Now Droge sounds a little like all the rest, but worth the listen anyway. Even if we are boring the pants off him by being there. KATHLEEN WILSON

RICHIE HAWTIN
(Showbox) It doesn't really matter what I say about this show; this man's got enough hardcore fans to sell out most any club venue in Seattle. Suffice it to say that Hawtin's absolute devotion to the Detroit sound, combined with his technical mastery of future beats, inspires the sort of worship rarely seen in the DJ world, especially for someone as sober and publicity-shy as the bald, bespectacled Hawtin (a.k.a. Plastikman). So go ahead and go-I can't stop you. Nor would I try. LEAH GREENBLATT

KEN STRINGFELLOW
(Gordon Biersch) What's with the Teen Dream ad hocking the live music at Gordon Biersch? It's like Tiger Beat magazine over there, showing Ken Stringfellow all dreamy and shaggy with big moony eyes, and Jon Auer looking pretty with his long, wavy hair. I know how old you boys are, and how cute you may be, but Teen Dream?-I think not. Besides, teenagers can't even get into Gordon Biersch unless they're having lunch with their pampered-poodle moms. For shame! KATHLEEN WILSON

GUITAR MONKS, BLUE GLOVE CLUB
(Rainbow) Zony Mash guitarist Tim Young is keeping typically busy with his many other eclectic projects, such as his rockin' speed-pop band Very Special Forces, and a sweet acoustic duo with Russian native Andrei Otraskin called Guitar Monks. Known for their tweakings of time-tested guitar traditions, these two cosmopolitans will be featuring some very special guests-and a similarly sophisticated opening act. The Blue Glove Club dig into Frisell-inspired trioisms with the sort of joyous balance found only among checked egos and respectful souls. JAMES KIRCHMER

ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE, POLECAT
(The Old Firehouse) Wait, what day is this? What week is this? It seems that not too long ago-in fact, only a week or two ago-we were writing previews for several of the same bloody bands: Alien Crime Syndicate, the Now, Marc Olsen. Maybe the government will prosecute them for violating anti-trust laws. It'd be the best thing that ever happened to C-Span, programming-wise, I can tell you that. The really criminal thing, though, would be if none of these bands ever played, as they're some of the best in town. And this all-ages show with Alien Crime Syndicate should make you proud we live in America. ERIN FRANZMAN

FENIX, TX
(Fenix, 6 pm) Cute! How often does a band get to play a club that shares its name, particularly when both misspell the name to begin with? It's a good thing this is an all-ages show, 'cause this darlin' little punk-pop band has a tendency to make Green Day seem mature by comparison. Originally known as Riverfenix (before The Man made them change it), this San-Diego-by-way-of-Houston outfit writes infectious little songs about what it knows best: teen angst. Fortunately, they're catchy enough that you won't need a fake ID to buy cigarettes in order to appreciate them. BARBARA MITCHELL

ROCKIN' TEENAGE COMBO, BILLY TIPTON

MEMORIAL SAXOPHONE QUARTET
(Sit & Spin) Amy Denio and Jessica Lurie, who've been shining so brightly with Kultur Shock recently, have revived their wonderfully eclectic sax quartet, and soon will be touring Europe and putting out a new album. Rockin' Teenage Combo are celebrating a CD release tonight (6/4 Getaway, recorded live), and I'm not surprised that it's their most consistently enjoyable disc to date. RTC thrive on the elevating nature of enthusiastic audiences, as they're always looking to raise the roof with their rare rhythmic outings. Driven by Dara Quinn's blissfully wide-open keys, and free of easy-way-up funk clichés, RTC's grooves are uncompromisingly contagious. JAMES KIRCHMER

BLUE OYSTER CULT
(2 Louies Ballroom, Blaine) Twenty bucks is an awful lot to pay to see a band like Blue Oyster Cult. I saw them this time last year when they played Parker's, and while the crowd was enthusiastic and amusing, and Eric Bloom played-with a straight face-a guitar molded to look like a slice of Swiss cheese, the show was pretty much a snooze. Plus, "Godzilla" enhanced with electronic voices was a crying shame. KATHLEEN WILSON

MARC OLSEN, BUGS IN AMBER
(OK Hotel) Marc Olsen plays so damn often it would be no surprise to see him and Damien Jurado playing tug-of-war with a mic stand. (Not that making frequency jokes about Damien Jurado is anything to be proud of!) But Marc Olsen is so captivating that his saturation is probably a good thing, especially if it means he can expose his fans to the dreamy sounds of the young Bugs in Amber. ERIN FRANZMAN

VALENTINE KILLERS
(Breakroom) I could tell you a few things about killing Valentines. First you take them by their filthy lying tongues and string them up on the power lines in front of the Breakroom, then you disembowel them, and as they bleed and scream in pain and beg for mercy, you tell them, "Now we REALLY have no future!" That's how to be a Valentine killer. My pal Dave says the band's pretty good, too. ERIN FRANZMAN

MARK PIERCE & DANNY BARNES
(Lock & Keel) Could it be that Mark Pierce is no longer playin' bass with Zeke in order to protect his hearing? Whatever the case, he's hooked up once again with Bad Liver banjo ace Danny Barnes for some good ol'-fashioned, unplugged fun. They're no strangers, having gigged and recorded before as the Gullyjumpers, alongside Thin White Rope's Jon Van Feldt. JAMES KIRCHMER

CARISSA'S WEIRD, FCS NORTH
(Breakroom) If everyone in Seattle would see Carissa's Weird, there would be no more bitching and moaning about the poor quality of the local scene. They've been coy so far this year, but with a CD coming out in the spring, they're starting to play more. The band spins their gauzy melodies into one hell of a strong and moving show, so go see them. Tonight's show benefits Milky World, the gallery/zine shop that lost its lease in December and is currently looking for a new space. ERIN FRANZMAN

KILL ROCK STARS SHOWCASE
(Sit & Spin, 3 pm early show) Come see why Everett True kept going on and on about Olympia: Tonight, Slim Moon and his friends and labelmates take over the Sit & Spin. That's right, folks, it's a crash course in Kill Rock Stars, with appearances by Gene Defcon, Frenchie and the German Girls, Witchy Poo, Lois, C Average, Bangs, and the Thrones. Maybe Lois will even bring some of that legendary potato salad we've heard so much about. BARBARA MITCHELL

FIGHTING MACHINISTS, POST STARDOM DEPRESSION
(Graceland) Well, it didn't take long for Graceland to turn into the new Colourbox, did it? BARBARA MITCHELL

THE FASTBACKS
(Sit & Spin) You could go because they rock, you could go because they're Seattle royalty, or you could go because Kim Warnick is seriously the coolest person in Seattle, but at the end of the day, you're gonna go see the Fastbacks regardless, so let's not quibble over the reason, okay? ERIN FRANZMAN

FESTIVAL SUNDIATA
(Seattle Center) Named after Sundiata, a legendary king of Mali known for bravely defending and preserving his culture, this yearly African American festival tends to be a hit and miss affair (smooth jazz anyone?), but hey, it's FREE-and as a community event, it aims to please and represent everyone. Highlights include a tribute to the late Dumi Maraire, an incredibly influential Zimbabwean musician who spent many years teaching around here, and a literary festival with special guest Professor Griff of Public Enemy. There's also art, photography, film, lots of music, and, as expected, a Saturday night hiphop showcase. For more info, visit www.seattle- center.com, or www.nwblackent.com/festivalsundiata. JAMES KIRCHMER

MACY GRAY
(Showbox) Macy Gray is the ultimate crossover It Girl, sort of like Lauryn Hill lite. She's not quite as sexy, political, or all-around stupendous as the Grammy-sweeping, former Fugees frontwoman-gone-multi-platinum. Still, Macy Gray, with her muppet growl and semi-soulful, life-affirming lyrics, has managed to push her own sales near the $2 million mark and garner plenty of press attention. Her ...On How Life Is serves as great background music for an afternoon shopping at Urban Outfitters, and will undoubtedly make for a pleasant show. LEAH GREENBLATT

EL GUZANO
(Sit & Spin) Rather than opting to rehearse less, wing it, and see what sticks, El Guzano are primarily a "song" band bent on diggin' up cool obscurities. Skerik calls it "Hammond-core," and the tag fits, as their repertoire is laden with all sorts of classic organ roots, traditions, and influences, ranging all the way from the obvious (Jimmy Smith) to the overlooked (James Black). Nothing beats a good tune-or good company: Hammond B-3 organ grinder Joe Doria, drummer Mike Stone, and very special guest "Vineet" on electric guitar. JAMES KIRCHMER

GOMEZ
(Showbox) After so many years of American bands trying to sound British, it's a relief to see an English band attempting to sound like they're from the good ol' U.S. of A. Gomez's debut earned them a heap of praise (and awards) in the U.K.-they even beat out the Verve for "Album of the Year" at 1998's Mercury Awards. Maybe I'm too much of an Anglophile to appreciate what they're doing, because Bring It On didn't exactly light my fire. With a new album, Liquid Skin, to promote, and a ton of rave reviews to justify, here's your chance to see what all the commotion is about. BARBARA MITCHEL

JUKE
(OK Hotel) Juke frontman Darren Lukas has no apparent interest in tinkering, toying, or otherwise futzing around with the essential components of classic, guitar-driven rock. The homespun basic recipe works: a solid, pounding rhythm section, bluesy hooks you can sink your canines into, and an unabashed fondness for loud, electrifying solos which often fly off into the realm of manic inspiration. This is pure, unadulterated rock and roll: very American and very satisfying. What makes Juke an exceptional-rather than just an accomplished-trio of rock stars, though, is the songwriting; Lukas possesses an uncanny feel for what makes a tune work on both the structural and emotional level, and his lyrics are elegant and spare. Juke have just finished recording an album, so now is the perfect time to catch them live and in their stride. RICK LEVIN

THE NOW, ACETYLENE
(Showbox) See Stranger Suggests.

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT, KAITLYN ni DONOVAN,

A MAN CALLED SUN
(Crocodile) Show up late. Martha Wainwright is a subtle and talented songwriter and performer, but after a buffeting by the perfumey winds of Kaitlyn ni Donovan, she might seem like just another woman with an acoustic guitar and some soft and complicated things to say. That would be a shame. Wainwright's songs won't twist your arm to get the attention they deserve: On a clean palate, she is revealed as a startlingly textured and moving performer, and my bet is that the next time she comes to Seattle, she will sell out the Moore. GRANT COGSWELL

CANNIBAL CORPSE
(Fenix) Awwww. Here comes Cannibal Corpse, just in time for a little post-Valentine's Day love fest-if your idea of love involves mutilation, sodomy, and other similarly charming subjects. With album titles like Bloodthirst, Gallery of Suicide, and Butchered at Birth (and songs like "Meat Hook Sodomy"), it should be fairly obvious that this veteran death metal band is never going to get Tipper Gore's approval. Should make for some interesting crowd-watching. BARBARA MITCHELL

NRBQ
(Tractor Tavern) I may be giving away my age here, or more likely, I'm giving away my mom's age, but NRBQ played at my mother's high school prom. And you know what she says? They weren't so good even then. But she was probably out back smoking while the band, um, raged. ERIN FRANZMAN

PETER PARKER, WELCOME
(Graceland) Sometimes I think of Peter Parker as the pesky younger sibling of the Seattle pop scene. The band's constant self-promotion and antics occasionally make them seem like little kids desperately trying for validation and approval. Relax, guys (and gal). One listen to the band's self-released debut, Migliore!, should be enough to guarantee a seat at the grown-up table: These songs are so catchy someone should create a vaccine. Somehow, all that nervous energy translates really, really well to tape. BARBARA MITCHELL

OGGMUNG
(Old Town Alehouse) Next time you find yourself knocking around Ballard Avenue on a Wednesday, please consider a brew or two in the company of this promising young gang of jazz-funk aficionados. Don't let the lack of liquor, ashtrays, or dim lights at this squeaky-clean venue dissuade you. The instrumentalism has usually got just enough dirt and soul under its fingernails to override the joint's all-too-straightforward vibe. JAMES KIRCHMER

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