"Boring as shit" is the assessment of at least one hipster who attended the not-so-hush-hush debut of Stephen Malkmus' solo project last week in Portland. The night began shakily, with some ill-advised cabaret-style performance art, followed by an acoustic performance from Poolside's Mike Wu which no one could hear over all the yakking. (Yakking over acoustic performances is now confirmed to be a pan-Northwest epidemic.) Next up was No. 2, featuring ex-Crackerbash frontman Sean Croghan, then Malkmus took the stage for the main event. Says our naysaying hipster: "His new songs sounded like the last Pavement album... he writes good hooks, his lyrics and voice are interesting, but if he weren't leading this band, they would be yet another boring-ass rock and roll bar band that may or may not have an MTV agenda." She's right about the new songs sounding like late Pavement; still, there are a couple of smartypants love ditties on the self-titled album that put red hearts where my pupils should be. Seattle hipsters can judge for themselves whether it's all boring as shit or not on Friday, March 9, when Malkmus brings his new band the Jicks to Graceland.

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The Vera Project made a smashing debut last weekend as Seattle's newest all-ages concert venue. Murder City Devils, Botch, and Blood Brothers played enthusiastic sets to the sold-out audience, although a less-than-satisfactory sound system did its best to muck things up. The kids seemed to enjoy it anyway, as did such old farts as Krist Novoselic, who creaked around the sidelines. After the show, at least one grizzled-yet-still- kickin' veteran remarked on the kids' stoicism: "They stand around like they're waiting for something cool to happen when it's happening right in front of them." Wheezed another haggard vet: "When I was their age, I was asking guys to go buy me a 40 before the show, telling them I'd fuck them for their trouble, then I'd go apeshit at the show." Kids may not party with the vigor that their parents (many of whom stood outside and smoked as their offspring had their time inside) once did, but it's nice to know the youngsters have a venue where they can see some great shows, whether or not they choose to kill brain cells beforehand. Next up for Vera is Hell's Belles, Razorbabes, and the Stuck Ups on Saturday, February 3. And in case you've forgotten, the Vera Project is located at 2700 First Avenue in Belltown.

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A handful of lucky folks caught an advance listening of the forthcoming Carissa's Wierd album, which the band just finished recording with Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla at the helm. As one of those privileged few, I'm happy to report that it's another quietly stunning piece of work that showcases the band's burgeoning confidence in their uniquely delicate, lovesick sound. Piano and accordion tracks further draw out the ache that this band evokes in solitary listeners and live audiences alike. Several fans got a chance to hear the new songs last month at the Baltic Room, but those who didn't will get another chance when Carissa's plays the Crocodile with Kingsbury Manx and Swords Prayer on Friday, February 23. Also, be sure to check out Jenn Ghetto's solo outing, S, as she joins Sarah Dougher, Aveo, and the Cock-Ups on Wednesday, February 14 as part of the Croc's Moments of Love: An Indie Rock Valentine. Aw.

kathleen@thstranger.com