OZZFEST 2000
(Gorge Amphitheatre) OZ-ZY! OZ-ZY! See Bio Box.

COLONEL LES CLAYPOOL'S FEARLESS FLYING FROG BRIGADE
(Showbox) This show features Les Claypool of Primus (of course) on bass, Jay Lane on drums, Jeff Chimenti (of Bob Weir's Ratdog) on keys, Todd Huth (ex-Primus) on guitar, and our own Skerik (Critters Buggin', Crack Sabbath) on sax. There will undoubtedly be some nasty funk, outrageous jams, and plenty of humor to make each and every one of you partiers out there join this army of Fearless Flying Frogs. My question is this: Will we be attacking or defending France? KREG HASEGAWA

STEVE TURRE
(Jazz Alley) Steve Turre can do it all. The versatile trombonist can go through bebop, swing, blues, and chamber music with ease. He surrounds himself with fine musicians, and he quotes the jazz greats with regularity. At some point during his show he'll likely open up a case of conch shells and start blowing on those as well, sometimes two at once. Yep, Steve Turre can do it all. KRIS ADAMS

BUILT TO SPILL
(Stage2 at the Pier) It's entirely possible that Built to Spill have become indie rock's answer to Crazy Horse, and not just because of Doug Martsch's nasally vocals or the band's excellent cover of "Cortez the Killer." Take a listen to BTS' appropriately titled live CD (Live ), or better yet, take this opportunity to catch them yourself. Extended jams are meaty, not meandering; the music ebbs and flows with the kind of instinctive, focused interplay and visceral passion that Neil Young & Co. patented. It's breathtaking--and while it might not change your life, it should definitely alter any belief that indie rock lacks heart and soul. BARBARA MITCHELL

DJ SNEAK, DOC MARTIN
(Showbox) This summer's USC Funk the Sound series is no longer waterborne, but Funk the Showbox isn't so bad if you think about it. See Stranger Suggests.

BLÖÖDHÄG, CROATAN, THE THRONES
(Breakroom) True confession: I love science fiction, and I adore heavy metal. Therefore I also love Blöödhäg, since they provide both fine speculative literature and chainsaw guitars at every one of their shows. Fantastic imagery and heavy metal have always gone together anyway; Blöödhäg simply take this notion to its logical conclusion, while injecting just enough humor to make you believe that they're serious. Their campaign of "literacy through metal" is no new concept, but it never hurts to take the opportunity to replenish your book collection. Gwar hurl unmentionable substances at their shows; Blöödhäg hurl books. I know which I prefer. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS

DUDLEY MANLOVE QUARTET & THE MAMBO NINE ORCHESTRA
(Crocodile) The Dudley Manlove Quartet began life as a secondary project for a local band, presumably so they could play songs like Perry Como's "Seattle," Barry Manilow's "Copacabana," and John Paul Young's "Love Is in the Air" with impunity. Now they're about to release a new album (this show is the CD-release party), on top of their live album and holiday music collection already in circulation. The concept of their little quartet may be a little cheesy, but Dudley Manlove are very good at what they do, and are certain to provide an evening of quality entertainment. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS

FASTBALL
(Tractor Tavern) Fastball are best known for a couple of very radio-friendly tunes that came out with their debut album, All the Pain Money Can Buy. The new album, due out soon, is already being touted for its potential to find much airplay in the days to come. But the fact that they are playing at the intimate, unpretentious Tractor should throw even them something of a curve ball. KRIS ADAMS

SUPERSONIC SOUL PIMPS
(I-Spy) Big, stupid-hat-wearing goofballs play funk with no sense of discretion or discernment. I hate to recommend them, but there's a large fraternity system at the University of Washington, and the Soul Pimps are frat-o-licious. I can just see the crowd at I-Spy, shakin' their collective groove-thang to some of the most moronic music I've heard in my entire life. Imagine No Doubt with a boy singer who used to listen to heavy metal, but now wants to be funk. The mere thought makes me gag, and I sure as hell am not going to be there--but if you're one of those extra fun people, you may want to check it out. JEFF DeROCHE

DODI
(OK Hotel) Dodi describe their songs as "smart music that isn't afraid to be stupid." There's something to be said for this definition. Their self-titled CD, released at the end of June, consists of unselfconscious, highly intelligent music that's a little bit of pop and a whole lot of invention. These songs are written by people who aren't worried about being hip; the fortunate result is that Dodi are cool. By turns fun, spooky, irreverent, and earnest, whether live or on record, Dodi achieve an appealing momentum made up of excellent musicianship and entertaining songwriting. This is the good stuff; may it last a long time. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS

ALVIN YOUNGBLOOD HART, MANGOSON
(Tractor Tavern) The latest release from blues up-and-comer Alvin Youngblood Hart is called Start with the Soul. It's an excellent idea--one that Hart has adhered to on all three of his albums. He roots his music solidly in the blues, a genre he's so good at he'd be perfectly acceptable as a straight-ahead bluesman. But Hart's genius lies in his ability to mix other genres in, from country to reggae to funk to good old rock and roll--the recent album is dedicated to none other than Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott. If there's such a thing as blues fusion, this is it. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS

BUILT TO SPILL
(Crocodile) Two shows: all ages, 5 pm; 21+, 9 pm. See Friday listing.

DAMIEN JURADO, JESSIE SMITH, BOLDER
(Wit's End) Fans of Pedro the Lion, Lou Barlow, and Hayden will no doubt appreciate Damien Jurado for being a smart-and-sweet boy with a guitar, forcing you to listen and sometimes cry. His CD Postcards and Audio Letters was a funky experiment involving secondhand audio recordings of strangers' conversations set to absolutely no music--but if listened to closely, the idea and the output were actually fantastic. But the music is better--and when it comes to introspective-boy folk that mostly girls listen to, Jurado is pretty dang beautiful. JEFF DeROCHE

ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION
(Benaroya Hall) Signed to Rounder Records at 14, Alison Krauss was a bluegrass fiddle prodigy. An amazing player on her own, she guested on Michelle Shocked's "Cotton-Eyed Joe." It was a sly turn--bluegrass' good girl playing with folk music's loose cannon on an old fiddle tune about abortion. Ever since, Krauss has shown greater independence and risk-taking, without sacrificing her roots. Her new album, Forget About It, is a chamber-pop gem in the vein of Rosanne Cash's Interiors, with perfectly crafted songs that highlight her strong and beautiful voice. NATE LIPPENS

GEORGE BENSON
(Pier 62/63) The jazz community considers guitarist George Benson a sort of Darth Vader: Extremely talented in his youth, he eventually succumbed to the dark side, moving away from mainstream jazz and into the breezier worlds of R&B and quiet-storm jazz. In the year 2000, he took a small step toward the good side again by infusing his new album with a bit more gravity, as well as heavy players like Christian McBride. Whether or not he ever fully makes it back from the land of easy listening, however, Benson will always be a remarkable guitar player, welding his fat tone and fast technique into what he calls "significant ear candy." NATHAN THORNBURGH

BICYCLE, BLUE COLLAR LOVE, MATCHLESS
(Central) Everyone loves a good story, and Bicycle started as one: The band got their start when singer/songwriter Kurt Liebert bicycled across the U.S. after losing his job, playing impromptu gigs as he went. But a good story only goes so far, and since no one ever mentioned the music--vaguely reminiscent of the Presidents, whose Chris Ballew produced a portion of Bicycle's major-label debut--the album sort of came and went without anyone really noticing. So now the band is back in their adopted hometown of Seattle, starting over from scratch and trying to find the grassroots support that eluded them the first time around. If you're in the mood for something offbeat and quirky, you might want to head on out to the Central this evening. BARBARA MITCHELL

A NIGHT OF MUSICAL GAMES
(Consolidated Works) Strategic Improv Laboratories 2000 (SIL2K) has done much for the Seattle Improv music scene in very little time. Founded less than a year ago, it has sought to provide an environment for musicians to explore their sonic landscapes. Tonight at Consolidated Works, a slew of musical games will be held in different rooms so that the audience can meander from spectacle to spectacle. Included in this musical exhibit will be John Zorn's "Cobra," a game in which the performers communicate their desires to a central conductor, who then directs the energy via flash cards. KREG HASEGAWA

FURTHER FESTIVAL with THE OTHER ONES, ZIGGY MARLEY & THE MELODY MAKERS
(Gorge) Holy patchouli, it's the remaining members of the Grateful Dead plus Bob Marley's son, all on the same sun-soaked stage! Pack the hacky sack and warm up the VW Vanagon. Shows like these are great, because the audience's participation in the vibe is almost as important as the artists' performances. Both Ziggy Marley and the Other Ones exist less for the studio than for the magic of bringing their music to life--so go see them in their natural environment. BARBARA MITCHELL

ERIC APOE & THEY, DANNY GODINEZ
(Rainbow) A longstanding member of the Seattle music community, Eric Apoe will perform and sing somber backcountry blues for all to relax in. His commanding voice has been soaked in the been-there-done-that rye of life, romanticizing despair as an equalizer in songs like "Money Field." He will be backed tonight by John Oluss on guitar, Damien Aitken on horns, and Hugh Sutton on the accordion. Opening up for Apoe will be Danny Godinez, whose tune "Run Lola Run," based on the film, is not techno at all. KREG HASEGAWA

MATTHEW RYAN
(Tractor Tavern) Back in the mid-'90s, there was this guy named Duncan Sheik who sang and played guitar. Women swooned, radio and VH-1 fell in love, and he sold a bunch of records. Other labels got jealous and tried to find their own Duncan Sheiks (witness the fate of locals Gerald Collier and Gus). Matthew Ryan was part of that whole movement, and he managed to survive to make a second album, East Autumn Grin. The recording has just been released, and features guest appearances by Dave Pirner from Soul Asylum and Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde. If you're longing for well-crafted, winsome male singer-songwriter action, you've found your man. BARBARA MITCHELL

KING'S X, PODUNK, KID CURRY, NUDE GUITARS
(Ballard Firehouse) Whether you love prog-rock or not, you must give the genre credit for producing some topnotch album titles. Witness the latest by King's X: Please Come Home... Mr. Bulbous. Perhaps wacky titles are an attempt to balance out the seriousness and complexity of the music itself. King's X have been steadily turning out albums of distinctively intricate prog-metal for almost 20 years, and when musicians of this caliber have been playing together for that long, you can be sure that, wacky or not, the live show is going to kick some serious butt. BARBARA MITCHELL

BUJU BANTON
(Bohemian Backstage) It's always fun to see how reformed bad-boy performers will handle or skirt their older, less-enlightened material live. This show should provide just such an opportunity. Buju Banton started out as a dance hall toaster with all the usual macho bragging about guns, girls, and even one infamous boast about gay-bashing. Now he's changed his tune with songs about spirituality and ending violence. His new album, Unchained Spirit, mixes reggae, ska, and gospel harmony with his love of Jah. NATE LIPPENS

RICHARD THOMPSON, DAVID WILCOX
(Woodland Park Zoo) Richard Thompson has been performing for three decades--first with folk-rock luminaries Fairport Convention, and then with his wife Linda. Their 1982 album, Shoot out the Lights, is a dark classic chronicling a disintegrating marriage. For existential-dread-as-a-carnival-ride, you can't top its closing song, "Wall of Death." Thompson's solo output since has been consistently excellent, with last year's Mock Tudor being a particularly high mark. His virtuoso guitar work has graced records by musicians as diverse as Shawn Colvin and art-punks Pere Ubu. His songs have been covered by a host of others--there's even a tribute album, Beat the Retreat--but nothing beats the real thing. NATE LIPPENS

WILLIE & LOBO
(Jazz Alley) At age eight, violinist Willie Royal was the concertmaster of his high-school orchestra. While in the German navy, Wolfgang "Lobo" Fink first heard Gypsy music, took up the guitar, and went to live with a Gypsy enclave for a year. That this unlikely duo would meet while working at a restaurant in Mexico is a happy occurrence. The result is a smooth sound created by two instruments working together flawlessly. Their latest album was recorded in Mexico, where music sessions punctuated morning and evening surf sessions, resulting in a relaxed, eclectic flamenco sound. KRIS ADAMS