(Showbox at the Market) A superhero team-up of one perennially slept-on almost-mainstream rapper (Killer Mike) and one elder statesman of the underground (El-P), Run the Jewels are the product of my favorite recent hiphop bromance, and they’ve got some stiff competition (here’s looking at you, Starlito and Don Trip). Their debut LP was an addictive blend of Killer Mike’s gruff street-talk, El-P’s unrepentant shit-slinging, and a potent production style that updated the Bomb Squad’s sonic assault for the post–Patriot Act age. Unafraid to crack wise, political, or ignorant, or just rattle off battle-rap rhymes like a couple of hyped high-schoolers in a cypher, Run the Jewels’ chemistry is undeniable and infectious. Rumor has it a new album's on its way in the fall; let's hope the lightning stays in the bottle. KYLE FLECK
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(Chateau Ste. Michelle) ZZ Top AND Jeff Beck?! Damn, that's a lineup, ain't it? Y'all know ZZ Top is gonna kill it playin' their string of radio hits and some of their classic John Lee Hooker boogie, all while their spinning guitars and nailing their "famous" choreographed moves. As for Jeff Beck, I'm torn. I'm stoked he's still got it (and his hair), but once he converted to playing something like jazz in the early '70s, he stuck with it. Like, he drapes his finger picked, whammy-barred, hella distorted guitar riffs/fills over easy-jazz-fusion-ish jams. It's something kinda prog, but maybe he's better regarded as a guitarist playing for other guitar players. Still, if the left one don't getcha, the right one will! MIKE NIPPER
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(El Corazon) If the title of heaviest band in the world were anything like the huge gold heavyweight championship belt of yesteryear, Portland’s own true-doom giants YOB would be the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair of the scene – undisputed, untouchable, highly respected and certainly in a class of their own. But don’t count out the openers. Seattle sludgemeisters Wounded Giant are on their way to reaching that belt, working their way up to main event level. Meanwhile, PDX grindcore freaks Transient might just smash you over the head with a steal chair in the form of pure raging audio punishment. Now let’s get ready to ruuuummmbbbllleee! KEVIN DIERS
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What happens when Seattle’s foremost house of house music—Re-bar—hosts Chicago house-music titan Derrick Carter? Droves of zealots come out to raise the roof and burn thousands of calories to the man’s expertly mixed and selected sets, honed over the last quarter century or so. But he’s no purist. Carter's sets usually branch out into disco, soul, jazz, and electro pop, connecting the dots with these styles and the spiritual funkiness of house music proper. With Karl Kamakahi, Almond Brown, and Space Otter. Re-bar, 10 pm-4 am, $22.50 adv, 21+. DAVE SEGAL
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And here's all our recommended music events—tonight, tomorrow, and beyond!
