THURSDAY 8/24

VINDALOO, THE BEAUTIFUL MOTHERS, MISSING PLAYERS, BULLET CLUB
(High Dive) See Rocka Rolla, page 30.

PLENTYFACE, COCK AND SWAN
(Rendezvous) True audiophiles are easy to spot. The size of one's headphones is a dead giveaway of your musical predilection. So what's that guy in the back of the bus with the gonzophones spacing out to? If he has any sense, it's Cock and Swan's Noon Hum. Resident chanteuse Ola's sweetly pure vocals (which make Isobel Campbell's sound like Stevie Nicks's) and production so intoxicatingly sultry it could be described as Air produced by Brain Eno, make for ear candy of the highest caliber. Not that I would ever condone drug use, but this record, a joint, and the aforementioned headphones will induce a delicious, Dark Side of the Moon—esque coma from which you may not want to return. MA'CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR

CABINESSENCE, DOWNPILOT, MARC OLSEN, JARED CLIFTON, CHAD BAULT
(Sunset) Nights like this at the Sunset are one reason why I spend so much time in Ballard. This summer, Downpilot released Like You Believe It (Roslyn Recordings), one of my favorite records of the year. Marc Olsen is one of the Northwest's most uniquely voiced guitar players (his fingers hit the strings of a Gretsch and you know instantly who it is)—and he's been in artistic hibernation for many years, making this gig a rare treat. The deal's sealed by the presence of former Radio Nationals frontman Jared Clifton, a raspy-throated romantic and another local treasure whose intelligence and ribald humor always make for an engaging live experience. HANNAH LEVIN

SKERIK'S SYNCOPATED TAINT SEPTET
(Tractor) Skerik is a tenor-sax lord. He's played with Les Claypool, Roger Waters, Mark Eitzel, Ivan Neville, Peter Buck, and Jesus Christ. Well, maybe not Jesus, but Skerik is so good, he doesn't even need a last name, like Madonna, or Pelé. His Syncopated Taint Septet are touring in support of their debut studio album, Husky, which was recorded at Hollywood's Sound Factory on 2-inch analog tape by Grammy Award—winning engineer Husky Hoskulds, whose resumé includes Tom Waits and Elvis Costello. A five-man horn line, backed by Hammond B-3 organ and drums, the Septet mix funk and dirtied Zappa tendencies with Count Basie swing. Hiphop beats pervade and run with rangy, embossed horn lines. Think Charles Mingus mixed with punk. TRENT MOORMAN

ACOUSTIC VERACITY: KRISTIN ALLEN-ZITO, DAVID STRAY NEY, THE VOMITING UNICORNS, CHRISTOPHER HONG
(Vera Project, 766 Thomas St) Let's get the conflict of interest out of the way first: Christopher Hong is an unpaid intern at The Stranger, providing the highly educated slave labor that keeps this paper afloat. He's also a tireless volunteer with the Vera Project and a booster of all things all-ages in Seattle. His musical efforts range from brainy postpunk to more conventional balladry, although given the "unplugged" nature of the Acoustic Veracity series, the former might be a little hard to pull off. Hong's shy demeanor and dry humor should provide a fine counterpoint to his enthusiastic, engaging songs. Three words: Asian Ted Leo. There, I said it. ERIC GRANDY

FRIDAY 8/25

The DTs, TWINK THE WONDERKID, THE FUCKING EAGLES
(Comet) See Rocka Rolla, page 30.

SOUND OFF! REUNION: CAPITOL BASEMENT, ALUZJUN, SUB-MOTIVE, MARQUETTE MILLER
(EMP Level 3) For six years, EMP's annual Sound Off! showcase has been bringing some of Seattle's most talented underage bands into the spotlight, giving them a chance to play in front of hundreds of people while competing for prizes like musical equipment, free studio time, and CD duplication. Many a local band has benefited from EMPs efforts. Sound Off's growing list of impressive participants boasts now beloved acts like Idiot Pilot, Mon Frere, Schoolyard Heroes, and the Hollowpoints. Tonight's show celebrates five years of Sound Off! history, featuring past finalists Capitol Basement, Aluzjun, Sub-Motive, and Marquetta Miller. MEGAN SELING

THE FORMAT, RAINER MARIA
(Neumo's) They're not the stars of tonight's show (saccharine pop outfit the Format is headlining), but it's possible that Rainer Maria's indie-rock roller coaster will steal the show. Caithlin De Marrais's gorgeous vocals demand your attention while Kyle Fischer and William Kuehn hop around the stage releasing waves of sparkling and emotive sounds. Their newer material feels a little washed out compared to previous efforts (and there have been a lot of previous efforts; the band's been around almost 10 years), but here's hoping the trio's powerful live energy brings back the appreciated punch of the past. MEGAN SELING

THE LIGHTS, THE CAN'T SEE, BURDFUR
(High Dive) Seattle postpunk vets the Lights are celebrating the release of their new Diamonds and Dirt CD. On it, they have the good sense to cover Dream Syndicate's glowering/towering "When You Smile," which reflects the Lights' own high-tension, wiry rock. Sinew and torque play a major role in this trio's edgy approach; they'll tighten your screws properly. Opening the night is Cleveland, Ohio, transplant Burdfur, the new solo endeavor of ex-Fuzzhead vocalist/keyboardist William Finsel. This is Burdfur's live debut, and if recorded evidence is indicative, prepare thyself for a bizarre sampling of old-school electronic psychedelia that lives far off the grid. At the last Sun City Girls' New Year's bash, Burdfur's demo CD blew several discerning minds. Dude's off in his own wonderfully warped world. DAVE SEGAL

DRAG THE RIVER, I CAN LICK ANY S.O.B. IN THE HOUSE, CHUCKANUT DRIVE
(Tractor) A scrappy young country band from Bellingham, Chuckanut Drive sound like a long road trip taken with old friends in a 1960s Caddy. Their fast songs make you want to drink cheap beer, bluff your way to glory with an off-suit 6 and 3, and shuffle a little two-step on a sawdust-coated floor. Their slow songs find you with a bottle of rye in your hand on a lonesome winding road, stumbling, staring up at the stars. They're playing with Drag the River, a pugnacious, somewhat older country band from Colorado, whose whiskey-soaked lyrics and impeccable chops guarantee a slice of rowdy salvation. CHRIS McCANN

SATURDAY 8/26

THE CLIENTELE, GREAT LAKES, THE FLEET FOXES
(Chop Suey) See Stranger Suggests, page 23.

CAROUSEL FEST: LAST SLICE OF BUTTER, WET CONFETTI, LEMONS AND STALLIONS, BOW AND ARROW
(Camp Nowhere, 4558 Seventh Ave NE) Portland's Wet Confetti mix equal parts arty ambition and postpunk rhythm to create music that is both cerebral and physical. Their synth-splattered no-wave recalls the earlier, noisier work of Blonde Redhead or Numbers' paranoid dance rock. Singer Alberta Poon's vocals are at times pretty and delicate and at other times urgent gasps and shouts. Drummer Mike Mckinnon keeps a steady, danceable beat, while guitarist and co-vocalist Daniel Grazzini picks out discordant melodies and mangles riffs. Sometimes a keytar makes its way into the mix. Sparks of tension and moments of ecstatic release charge their live shows, with the band members' playful dynamic safely venting any excess steam from their creative combustion. ERIC GRANDY See also Underage, page 53, and story, page 38.

BIKE-IN MOVIE W/ORKESTAR ZIRKONIUM, LOCUST, PILLOW FIGHT FIGHT, BICYCLE
(Magnuson Park, Vera) Drive-in movies are awesome, but cars pollute. Gross. But bikes don't! Hooray! So why don't you go to a bike-in movie instead? Sadly you can't make out in the backseat, but you wouldn't wanna miss a minute of this fun anyway! There will be bands like Bicycle and Pillow Fight Fight performing live, a performance by Locust (a dance troupe, not the crazy, bug-obsessed band), and a whole bunch of short films by local and national filmmakers all about bikes! That's more bike-on-bike action than you can shake a tire pump at. And it's totally free to boot, er... bike! MEGAN SELING

SUNDAY 8/27

THE BRAILLE TAPES, PANTHER ATTACK, FIGHT FOR CHANGE
(High Dive) First it was Horses, then Wolves, and now it's turned into the year of the "Tapes" bands. Starting with Minneapolis's Tapes 'n Tapes and now Bellingham's the Braille Tapes, whose 2005 release I Want to Be Victor Ward is so freaking good, I'm embarrassed they flew under my radar for so long. Representing the beau monde of Seattle rock in all its angsty glory, the Braille Tapes' heavy riffs, double petal bass, clever sampling, and pretty, pretty screams are the remarkable bloom of grunge's flannel-clad seed. Edgy enough to be taken seriously, yet catchy enough to play on Fuse, these kids have been rocking in L.A. frequently and garnering some major attention. MA'CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR

CAROUSEL FEST: BLACK ELK, PLEASUREBOATERS, THE NEW BLOODS, THE VONNEGUTS
(1475 20th St) See Underage, page 53, and story, page 38.

CAROUSEL FEST: THE DEAD SCIENCE, PILLOW FIGHT FIGHT
(20/20 Cycle, 2020 E Union St.) See Underage, page 53, and story, page 38.

CAROUSEL FEST: BLÖÖDHAG, JOULES, ORCATEERS, ERIC OSTROWSKI
(Greenhouse, 2515 S Charles St) See Underage, page 53, and story, page 38.

MONDAY 8/28

CAT POWER
(Neumo's) Tonight, an uncharacteristically ambitious Chan Marshall will aim to give us two shows, an all-ages one at 6:00 pm and a 21-plus version at 9:30 pm. For a woman with an exhaustively documented history of cancellations and onstage meltdowns, this is either the advent of a new work ethic or a disaster in the making. I will hold out hope for the former, because despite its seemingly self-congratulatory title, The Greatest is an absolutely gorgeous, moving piece of work that exudes all the bittersweet beauty that drew her so many fans to begin with. Please, Ms. Marshall, don't disappoint. HANNAH LEVIN

DARCY BURNER BENEFIT: THE STARLINGS, DUDLEY MANLOVE, COLIN SPRING, K-POP & THE COALITION OF THE WILLING, RADIO NATIONALS
(Tractor) See Rocka Rolla, page 30.

TUESDAY 8/29

OSCAR PETERSON
(Jazz Alley) Oscar Peterson is only one of the best jazz piano players ever in the history of the world. And at 82, the man is just coming into his prime. Peterson learned from listening to Nat "King" Cole and Art Tatum, and later played with everyone from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald to Count Basie and Stan Getz. To watch him hunch over that piano and wrestle with it is a goddamn thing of beauty. You're sorry you never got to see Bud Powell or Bill Evans or Thelonious Monk? Then don't you dare miss out on Oscar Peterson. CHRIS MCCANN

WEDNESDAY 8/30

OSCAR PETERSON
(Jazz Alley) See Tuesday's preview.

LLAMA, THE FALLOUTS, THE RHEAS
(Crocodile) Many years ago, I managed Llama leader Rusty Willoughby's post-Flop/Pure Joy solo career. Willoughby was one of the most gifted, unpretentious artists I ever worked with, and one of the more morbidly funny musicians I've known. I may not be the most trustworthy source for an unbiased endorsement, but anyone who's even casually followed this man's career trajectory knows that his brand of intelligent, black-humored pop-punk is always worth the price of admission. HANNAH LEVIN

DEF LEPPARD, JOURNEY: Thurs Aug 31, White River Amphitheatre

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, O.A.R.: Fri—Sun Sept 1—3, the Gorge

MATISYAHU, THE POLYPHONIC SPREE: Wed Sept 6, Marymoor Park

MAE, THE NEW AMSTERDAMS, VEDERA: Fri Sept 8, El Corazón

DEVO: Sat Sept 9, Paramount

THE TRACHTENBURG FAMILY SIDESHOW PLAYERS, BABY GRAMPS: Sat Sept 9, Crocodile

DRAGONFORCE, ALL THAT REMAINS, HORSE THE BAND: Wed Sept 13, Showbox

MOE.: Fri Sept 15, Showbox

LAWRENCE ARMS, THE DRAFT, THE BLACKOUT PACT: Mon Sept 18, El Corazón

MARITIME, SPEAKER SPEAKER, BOAT: Tues Sept 19, Paradox

DJ SHADOW, LATEEF: Wed Sept 20, Showbox

RANCID, THE AQUABATS: Tues—Wed Sept 26—27, Showbox

CANDLEBOX, DRIVEBLIND, WHITESTARR: Thurs—Fri Sept 28—29, Showbox

PELICAN, DAUGHTERS, NACHMYSTIUM: Sat Sept 30, Neumo's

PENNYWISE, CIRCLE JERKS, IGNITE: Mon Oct 2, El Corazón

MUSE, THE LIKE: Wed Oct 4, Paramount

SUFJAN STEVENS, MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND: Sun Oct 15, Paramount

THE ROLLING STONES: Tues Oct 17, Qwest Field