THURSDAY 4/27

THE NOW, RUSTON MIRE, CARMINE
(Crocodile) Somewhere along the line, someone decided being cool and having fun were mutually exclusive concepts. Thankfully, the Now, Ruston Mire, and Carmine care less about hipster cred than they do about writing and performing great singalong songs and having a good time doing it. Which isn't to say what they're doing isn't artistically valid -- because it is. It just happens to hearken back to a time when bands like Devo and Oingo Boingo proved that "smart" plus "catchy" plus "slightly dorky" could equal "cool," and entertaining the audience was still a noble pursuit. BARBARA MITCHELL

PETE KREBS
(Gordon Biersch) It's entirely likely that if Seattle enjoyed day after day of perfectly clear weather, only tourists would pay attention to Mt. Rainier. I only point this out because the Northwest is blessed with an abundance of first-rate singer/songwriters who seem to be taken for granted. Take Pete Krebs, for instance. In addition to changing the local musical landscape with Hazel and Golden Delicious, Krebs has proven himself an intelligent and affecting solo artist. And while folks across the nation have heaped loads of praise on the man, he doesn't seem to get a portion of the respect he deserves right here in his own backyard. For shame. BARBARA MITCHELL

SLICK RICK, DOUG E. FRESH, BIZ MARKIE
(Paramount) The nostalgia tours continue with three of '80s hiphop's most well-loved characters. His single "The Show" will undoubtedly keep Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew on "Best of" compilations and sample decks for the next 20 years, and of course no Def Jam collection is complete without "Children's Story" and "Mona Lisa," the supreme creations of MC Ricky D after he left the Fresh crew and became Slick Rick. Unfortunately, Rick's prime occupation in the '90s turned out to be making license plates at the state pen, but after over half a decade of incarceration, he's back with a new record. Doubtless, though, he knows what the crowd wants to hear, and it ain't Slick Rick 2000. Also playing is Biz Markie, that lovable MC with marbles in his mouth and a frog in his throat. LEAH GREENBLATT


FRIDAY 4/28

MONKEYWRENCH, THE BANGS, THE BRIEFS, THE WIRE TAPS
(Crocodile) Monkeywrench are kicking off their gospel tour of America tonight. They've got a new album that spreads the good rock 'n' roll news to all the electric children, old and young. But before Monkeywrench work you up to a fever pitch, here are a few words from the younger generation: Warming up the 6pm all-ages show will be a hot trio of rockers known as the Bangs; the 9pm 21+ show will be opened by the Wire Taps, followed by the Briefs. Let the freak flag fly and have lots of fun. Amen. JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

POSTER CHILDREN, KINSKI, SUBMINUTE: RADIO
(Graceland) Like the Fastbacks (with whom they currently share a label), the Poster Children have been wowing crowds with their good-natured brand of punk-pop for years. They've got a new(ish) album out on spinART, but -- again like the Fastbacks -- they truly shine in a live setting. Get there early to see Kinski, who are literally breathtaking. BARBARA MITCHELL

GROOVIE GHOULIES, PHANTOM SURFERS, HI-FIVES, SMUGGLERS
(I-Spy) This is a Lookout Records traveling showcase, and most of these bands kind of sound the same. The Groovie Ghoulies are just slightly above-average three-chord garage rock, as are the Hi-Fives and the Smugglers. The real reason to see this show is to catch the lively and entertaining Phantom Surfers. They used to play only instrumentals, but as of late they've been incorporating a singer. Their schtick is far more fun and interesting than the other dime-a-dozen monster rock, greaser rock, and preppie rock bands they are touring with. JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

BECK, CAF: TACUBA
(Mercer Arena) My pal Mike put it best about Beck: "He's like Seinfeld, in that he cleverly broke away from sitcom formula, only to be trapped in his own formula. Picture Beck in the studio with two big spinners. The first one's marked 'Genre.' Click... click... click... 'New Wave'! The second one's marked 'Lyrics.' Click... click... click... 'Chili Dog'! The song writes itself! That's Beck. Clever (stuff like calling the B-side to 'Loser' 'MTV Makes Me Wanna Smoke Crack'), but not very good, superficial Dadaist lyrics." Clever and bad, which means that if people take him seriously, and I'm afraid they do, then he's a virus, and I'm afraid he is. ERIN FRANZMAN

VENDETTA RED, DOLOUR, HOME TOWN HERO, THE JUXTAPOSITIONS
(Paradox) How fitting that the Juxtapositions should be performing at the Paradox Theater, eh? Desultory coincidence or long-foretold fate? Who's to know? But just in case superbeings from outer space take this ironic bill as a sign to invade and conquer Earth, luckily our Home Town Hero will be there to restore peace and order. But if nothing exciting happens at all, Dolour will philosophize in French about the pain of existence. And to put a period or exclamation mark or whatever on the end of the show, after all this excitement and drama are Vendetta Red, reminding you that chance and fate are no match for good old free will. JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

DJ SOULSLINGER
(Sand Point Naval Base, call 748-1724 for info) Brazilian-born, Konkrete Jungle-bred DJ Soulslinger is well known for his illbient sounds -- in fact, it turns out he was the first U.S. producer ever to release a drum and bass record in this country, which alone earns him a gold star. But aside from his DJ success (see latest collaboration with jazz guy Elliott Sharp: a prime example of jazz 'n' jungle fusion when it works), he's also a big-deal entrepreneur. Every East Coast kid with a gleam in his eye and a sag in his pants has made the pilgrimage to Soulslinger's NYC Liquid Sky Emporium, the original one-stop raver superstore/label, and has doubtless left with at least one extra-large T-shirt, the latest Liquid 12-inch, and a smile. LEAH GREENBLATT


SATURDAY 4/29

WAYNE KRAMER, STREETWALKIN' CHEETAHS, DIRTY BIRDS
(Breakroom) You want your rock 'n' roll? You got it tonight -- former MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer kicks out the jams at the Breakroom. Along for the ride are L.A.'s Streetwalkin' Cheetahs, who shouldn't be missed if their flesh and blood appearance is nearly as potent as their uncreatively titled, snarling live album Live on KXLU. There's nothing earth-shakingly original about these guys, but who needs originality when there's authentic teeth-rattling, hair-raising, attitudinal, adrenaline-fueled rock to be had? BARBARA MITCHELL

HARVEY DANGER, MOUNTAIN CON.
(Crocodile) Tonight's show at the Croc is a study in opposites. Harvey Danger accidentally stumbled into mainstream popularity with their ridiculously infectious yet intelligent single "Flagpole Sitta," and have been apologizing to their indie-rock peers ever since. (Relax, guys -- popular music could use some more brains.) Mountain Con., on the other hand, have set their sights on the top of the pops. With a handsome, charismatic frontman, songs that manage to be funky, folky, and catchy, and a frat-heavy fanbase, these guys are likely to fill in the gap between Soul Coughing, Cake, Dave Matthews, and the like. BARBARA MITCHELL

SLEATER-KINNEY, GENE DEFCON, GLASS CANDY, AND THE SHATTERED THEATER
(Metropolis, Olympia) This is going to be the last show ever at the venerable Olympia venue the Metropolis. The bang you'll hear it go out with will be Sleater-Kinney, one of Kill Rock Stars' pride and joys. They'll play songs off their soon-to-be-released new album, and if you're lucky, you'll get to hear some older favorites. Catch them now, before they disappear into the sunset on the backs of the steel horses they ride. JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

RADIO NATIONALS
(OK Hotel) Our old pals in the Radio Nationals serve up some down-home, rocking-chair rock -- too rock for y'alternative, but too twangy for the Romulan crowd. A lesser group might fall through the cracks, but, to cop a line from Goldilocks, the Radio Nationals are just right. ERIN FRANZMAN

PEDRO THE LION, IDA, T. W. WALSH, SELDOM
(Paradox) Call it EmoCorps 2000. It's unlikely that there will be another show this year that attracts as much corduroy and black hair dye as this one -- so hit the thrift stores early, 'cause you won't want to miss out on any of these fine bands. It's Pedro the Lion's triumphant all-ages homecoming -- and they're bringing along tourmates Ida and T. W. Walsh. Seldom promise to be a band to look forward to (and yes, that is the Vogue's Casey Wescott). BARBARA MITCHELL

764-HERO, LOVE AS LAUGHTER, AUTOMATON ADVENTURE SERIES
(Sit & Spin) To all of you people who write in to say how much I suck, how I should be fired, how I don't deserve to have this job or even to waste the space and air on this great planet, I say this: You're right, but not for the reasons you think. I suck because 764-HERO are a band that I've grown to adore, and I consistently forget to write up their shows. And for that I should be caned like a Singapore vandal. So in an attempt to earn my stripes, I'm super-double-extra recommending this show. 764-HERO are shambling, regular-guy (and gal) indie rock of the highest order, and they perform with more spirit and hunger and bravado than you could ever hope to match. It's like watching someone sing their heart out in the shower, completely oblivious to the spectacle. But the greatest thing about them is that they make you feel like you could do it too -- and that's not a slight on their musicianship. It's a compliment to their intimacy, a sense of human kindness not often found at a rock club. ERIN FRANZMAN


SUNDAY 4/30

PETE KREBS
(Hopvine) A man of many talents, indeed. His trail of bands is legendary, from Thrillhammer to Hazel to the bluegrass outfit Golden Delicious to his newest, Gossamer Wings. But he's out on his own again, where he can display his considerable singer/songwriter talents. According to Pete, his newest release -- a five-song EP called Bittersweet Valentine -- contains his best songs yet. But if you thought that Pete was only a free-spirited musician, think again. He's also a member of the Industrial Workers of the World union. JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ


MONDAY 5/1

ARMORED SAINT, KARMA TO BURN, 40 GRIT, SLUDGEPLOW
(Graceland) Headbangers have had a rough go of it over the past few years. It hasn't been enough for the music to merely ROCK -- even the most thundering, blistering tuneage has been required to educate, make a political statement, or show off a sensitive side. (For God's sake, METALLICA is recording with orchestras now....) You can throw all that wussy crap out the window tonight and prepare yourself for a fine night of old-school heavy metal with veterans Armored Saint. Get there early for local up-and-comers Sludgeplow, key members of the Head Trauma Coalition and purveyors of topnotch metal themselves. BARBARA MITCHELL


TUESDAY 5/2

SLIPKNOT
(DV8) I guess I can understand 'N Sync jumping on the Backstreet Boys' bandwagon, but why on earth would a band choose to jump on the Insane Clown Posse's bandwagon? Nevertheless, Slipknot have done just that with their funny little horror masks, numbered jumpsuits, and song titles like "Eyeless," "No Life," "Prosthetics," "Purity," and "Spit It Out." They don't rap like ICP, going instead for a grinding monotony reminiscent of a dentist's drill. It must be really boring in Iowa. ERIN FRANZMAN


WEDNESDAY 5/3

THE ARSONISTS
(Paradox) The former Bushwick Bomb Squad bring their Brooklyn rhymes to the U-District. I'm not sure if that's going to be a thankless task, but the Arsonists might be up for a lot of those. Despite a cred-heavy pedigree, the band created an uphill battle for themselves by signing with indie rock label extraordinaire Matador, as opposed to going the more traditional route with a hiphop label. As a result, you might never have heard of them. Which is a shame, because, all fire puns aside, their rhymes are hot. ERIN FRANZMAN

FIVE GEARS IN REVERSE, SUSHI ROBO, ACETYLENE
(Crocodile) Bless me! It's spring, and that shiny, happy feeling could be the sun or the unusually high pollen count. Then again, it could be the prospect of seeing Five Gears in Reverse perform their buoyant, beautiful brand of bouncy indie pop. This batch of former Bellinghamians (Bellinghamites? Bellinghammes?) write charming and infectious songs that provide the perfect solution for clearing away all those lingering winter cobwebs, and prove that "nice" doesn't have to equal "boring." BARBARA MITCHELL

MARC OLSEN
(Gordon Biersch) In the wrong setting, a noisy crowd can trample over Marc Olsen's fragile vocals like a rottweiler in a flower bed. And while Olsen is completely capable of fighting back with visceral guitar work, those quiet moments are some of his best -- the haunting, aching beauty of songs like "San Antone" or an inspired Nick Drake cover are too good to miss. That makes this appearance at the under-appreciated Gordon Biersch the perfect opportunity to see him play. Get there early and grab a table up front. BARBARA MITCHELL