Tonight, two titans of left-field indie rock, Calvin Johnson and Ian
Svenonius, debut their new bands for Seattle. Chain and the Gang are
another round of radical funk and soul power from Svenonius, the
former Make Up frontman, although more musically minimal than that
project—often just a loose bass line and a beat, but with just as
absurdist-political lyrics. Their debut, Down with Liberty… Up
with Chains!, is his finest album in years. Johnson’s the Hive
Dwellers feature the same players as Chain and the Gang, including
former Saturday Knights guitarist/organist Brian Weber. (The
Vera Project, Seattle Center, 956-8372. 7:30 pm, $9/$8 with club card,
all ages.)