PLEASEEASAUR, RAFT OF DEAD MONKEYS
(Crocodile) Looks like prop night at the Croc. You can be sure that Pleaseeasaur will bust out the polar bear suit and that Raft of Dead Monkeys will bust out the... well, they'll bust out something unexpected. Music is but a single element in the overall entertainment spectacular that both bands favor. Pleaseeasaur's music is a Beck-like cut-and-paste of lo-fi samples and non sequitur lyrics, and Raft of Dead Monkeys play a more hysterical brand of rock, but with their performance values, the two bands should dovetail nicely. ERIN FRANZMAN

CHRIS VON SNEIDERN
(Gordon Biersch) Never claim that you hate singer-songwriters. As soon as you do, someone will come along and hand you a CD in this genre that you profess to hate. (For some reason, this doesn't work with smooth jazz.) That's how I started listening to Chris Von Sneidern, and now I can't stop. The Bay Area-based musician has done a touring stint with Phil Collins and a studio session with Jewel, which should tell you something; this man has mastered the art of the catchy pop tune, and what's really astounding is that he does it without ever sounding pretentious. On albums like 1994's Big White Lies and 1998's Wood and Wire, Von Sneidern showcases a pop sensibility that's positively infectious; his songs are intimate and earnest. Why he's not yet famous (in spite of himself, to be sure) is beyond me. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS

MILLENCOLIN, TEN FOOT POLE, OSKER, VISION
(Graceland) It's time again for Epitaph's Punk-O-Rama Tour, which should be slightly more interesting this time around on account of the show being one of those split all-ages/21+ affairs. Millencolin headline, in support of their new record, Pennybridge Pioneers, which moves away from their Swedish, ska-punk past into heavier pop-punk territory. They're touring with Los Angeles speed-punk outfit Ten Foot Pole and newcomers Osker, as well as long-suffering New York City hardcore-scene mainstays Vision. The promoters promise that Vision's new Watching the World Burn doesn't "sound like they're from the mid '80s anymore," but you'll have to check it out to decide for yourself. ERIN FRANZMAN

RUFF RYDERS, CASH MONEY
(KeyArena) DMX, Eve, Lil Wayne, and Juvenile on one stage! The Ruff Ryders and the Cash Money Millionaires are the reigning hiphop crews of the day -- at least according to the MTV barometer. That's not an endorsement. Personally, I think the Ruff Ryders' roster is lame, lame, lame: DMX shouts gruffly to obscure his weak verses and Eve has no skills whatsoever, nothing distinctive except her gender. Plus, they use trite samples or none at all, and what's rap without beats or melody? Spoken word. But the New Orleans Cash Money boys are worth the steep admission price. Juvenile's "Back That Thang Up" is a minor classic; it's impossible not to love the scrappy charm of Lil Wayne. Those Southern boys are such lovable scamps that even their hard rhymes sound cute, "Bling! Bling!" ERIN FRANZMAN

GOLDIE
(Last Supper Club) Ex-boyfriend of Björk, co-star of David Bowie, party buddy of Kate Moss -- sometimes it's hard to remember that Goldie is still actually a musician. But a little reviewing should remind you: His 1996 Timeless stands as jungle's original breakthrough masterpiece (though even the creator himself says it doesn't sound so much like jungle anymore), and the Metalheadz crew he heads up is basically the cream of the hardcore crop. No wonder the man has such a lifestyle. After stumbling with the bloated epic Saturnz Return, he's back, all lean and mean, to show audiences he still has it. My guess is they'll all come running; Goldie's still superstar enough to reel them in. LEAH GREENBLATT

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, SALTINE, ACETYLENE
(Crocodile) This is gonna be the last Death Cab show for awhile, as our pals in the band live in perpetual fear of a backlash. The novelty tonight is that it looks like Death Cabbie Chris Walla will be joining Ken Stringfellow for Saltine's set while that band waits for the dust to settle from its recent upheaval. This is nominally a record release party for Acetylene, but I've heard the CD, Which Way from Up, and it's not much to celebrate. In fact, while the melodies feature some really lovely guitar work reminiscent of the Sundays, the vocals are a shoddy affair. The thin voice of singer Stephanie Wicker does a disservice to her songs; she just doesn't have the pipes to pull off the elaborate vocals she's called upon to perform. Live is not much better, as I found out last month at the Showbox. Shouting is different than singing. But since most cheap earplugs will block out all the vocals, you can pretend Acetylene is instrumental. ERIN FRANZMAN

JERU THE DAMAJA, SILENT LAMBS PROJECT, SINSEMILLA, DJ JAKE ONE
(Graceland) In a genre where "keeping it real" seems to mean rapping about the ghetto from the set of a Hype Williams video overflowing with cars, cash, and booty, Jeru the Damaja is the watchdog. When other artists are telling women to get their Gucci's on, Jeru warns, "With those hooker-tight jeans, girl, ya playin' yaself/skin all exposed, ya playin' yaself." The halting rhythms and lo-fi production values back up his claims, and what can sometimes sound a little homemade also comes across a lot more raw and real than all the "hardcore" records out there now. You must also give the Damaja points for versatility; his latest release boasts tracks called "Bitchezwitdickz" and "Seinfeld" side by side. LEAH GREENBLATT

THE MELODY UNIT, PETER PARKER, WUSSY BEAT UP THE JOCKS, ROBB BENSON
(OK Hotel) If life were fair (which it isn't), the Melody Unit would be headlining the Showbox and not the OK Hotel. Maybe it's because they don't "rock," or they don't have enough tattoos. Or, conversely, because they're not "emo" enough. Shouldn't it be enough that they write gorgeous, shimmering pop songs that glimmer like a new leaf after a spring rain? That they bring to mind a pulsing, more approachable Stereolab? That they're just really good? Nah, I didn't think so. BARBARA MITCHELL

REBECCA RIOTS
(Tractor Tavern) Rebecca Riots are school teachers by day, socially conscious musicians by night, performing their brand of radical, political/gender-oriented acoustic folk for all you alpaca-loving hippies. So shine up those Birkenstocks, practice your best swirling dervish, and please, be sensitive! JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

DJ SURESHOT AND SUPREME
(Habana's) DJ Sureshot and Supreme know what they like: As DJ Cam once famously said, they "love hiphop like Madonna loves dick" -- okay, maybe not so appropriate for the now respectable yoga-master, Madonna-with-child, but you get my point. Sureshot comes down more on the rare-groove and old soul side, though he's not averse to throwing many classic hiphop cuts into his set; Supreme you may know as the co-host of Seattle's only local hiphop show, Street Sounds, on KCMU, and I think it's fair to call him an authority. If you're looking for a night of hiphop and R&B not ripped straight from the KUBE playlist and MTV's Party to Go, Volume 84, I believe you are in luck. LEAH GREENBLATT

ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE, DJ JOAQUIN, LSDJ
(Crocodile) Let me offer, if I may, an overlooked piece of homespun wisdom: Free stuff is good stuff. This is a free show, but more importantly, there will be free drinks. Free, as in, Forget Really Expensive Evenings out. You get your free passes from the website www.anteye.com: Tonight is their launch party, and you can't get in without going to the website; but don't worry, just get the free passes and you never have to go back there again. You're just sucking the milk from the IPO teat. And then go have free fun while good old ACS rock you. You deserve it. ERIN FRANZMAN

HOME ALIVE BENEFIT
(Consolidated Works) A virtual explosion of estrogen power, this very worthy benefit showcases an all-girl revue of local talent, from DJs M.I.A., Eva, and NAHA, to visual artists Michiko and Tashina. They actually threw a New York lady, Helen Stickler, in there, too, but that's okay because apparently she makes great films, and she'll be showing a bunch of women's indie shorts. So go ahead and do something you'd probably do anyway, even if your money wasn't going to a good cause -- and give yourself an extra pat on the back for being such a good citizen. LEAH GREENBLATT

THE PIN-UPS, HAFACAT, ST. JOHN
(Graceland) The Pin-Ups are playing tonight to celebrate the release of their Backseat Memoirs on Good Ink Records, featuring Carrie Akre on backing vocals and Jason Finn on drums. But then again, who doesn't have Jason Finn on drums? Here's a drummer joke Jason Finn told me: A drummer accidentally locked his keys in the car. It took him an hour to get the bass player out! ERIN FRANZMAN

GUIDED BY VOICES, MATTHEW SWEET
(Showbox) I always say that if Guided by Voices' Robert Pollard was my boyfriend, I'd dump him. Why? Because he's drunk and obnoxious and too damn smart for his own good. He guzzles shamelessly, with pride even, and he launches around and breaks things that have sentimental significance to me. He starts projects and doesn't finish them, he says whatever's on his mind with absolutely no regard for propriety, and people who don't have to live with him think he's a genius. He's a danger, and it's better to cut your losses and give him the Kenneth Cole boot. And remember, if you can't still fuck your ex-boyfriend, who can you fuck? KATHLEEN WILSON

GAS HUFFER, THE FASTBACKS, THE CATHETERS
(Sit & Spin) It's loud. It's punk. These folks have been around forever. There's nothing like hearing a band that's been at this for over a decade to persuade one that all is right with the world; veterans have a sense of self-assurance and confidence that one can only acquire through years of experience. The previous description could apply to either Gas Huffer or the Fastbacks; they're joined by the much younger Catheters for an evening of the scenery-chewing, old-style stuff. Punk without frills or excuses. Most refreshing. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS

JIMMY CLIFF
(Bohemian Backstage) The reggae master Jimmy Cliff is touring to promote his new album, Journey of a Lifetime, which features four of his sons DJ-ing and/or rapping on some songs, and two of his daughters on another song. I can't say for sure if he'll have his whole family on stage tonight, but I can't imagine why he wouldn't. And furthermore, here's your big chance to see Cliff perform "I Can See Clearly Now," his smash hit from the blockbuster Jamaican bobsled movie, Cool Runnings. ERIN FRANZMAN

KEN STRINGFELLOW, JEN WOOD, DAMIEN JURADO, SHAWN SMITH
(Showbox) The other day I was expressing my excitement at there finally being a semi-regular Sunday club night, since (though you wouldn't know it from this week) there's usually fuck-all to do in Seattle on a Sunday night after The Simpsons is over. My friend was concerned about the night's ability to attract big-name songwriters week after week. "After all," he said, "Ken Stringfellow and Damien Jurado can't play every week." "Actually," I countered, "yes they can." ERIN FRANZMAN

THE ANNIVERSARY, DRUNK HORSE
(Graceland) The thing I like most about the Anniversary is that they sound a lot like the Rentals. Currently, I'm angry at the Rentals for not touring in, like, a million years. Last time I saw them was at the Mercer Arena as part of the 1995 Deck the Hall Ball, and after the show, they hung out at the OK Hotel with all the other bands that played that night. Liam Gallagher was all moony-faced at the bar, and his brother Noel was bitching and moaning because the air conditioner was dripping on him and apparently no other seat would do. As advertised, he was a total prick. Some members of the Rentals were at the table with him, looking mortified. But that was five years ago, and despite having released an album last year, the Rentals have not returned to our fair city. Thanks a lot, Noel. KATHLEEN WILSON

ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE, DEATHRAY
(Crocodile) This four o'clock all-ages show marks Alien Crime Syndicate's second Crocodile appearance in as many days. (Maybe they won't even go home! Maybe they'll sleep in the secret underground dressing room!) Obviously not fearing a backlash, ACS rock it for the kids today with their happy, jumpy, outer-space themed pop, and hopefully they'll still be using the KISS-like light-show letters "ACS" as part of their act. ERIN FRANZMAN

THE SUICIDE MACHINES, THE PILFERS, CATCH 22
(Graceland) Between Laurel Aitken and the Suicide Machines there must be a lot of bastardization, as the Detroit so-called ska-punk Suicide Machines showed only trace elements of the music of Two-Tone and the Godfather of Ska. And sure enough, the Suicide Machines have now conveniently abandoned ska for a radio-friendly, self-titled pop album. May you Matchbox 20, my friends. ERIN FRANZMAN

Ooh, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is on!

SHINER, MINDSET
(Graceland) A shiner is a black eye, just in case you didn't know. The band is in the tradition of Jawbox and Slint -- kind of noisy, hard-but-melodic stuff. They put one seven-inch out on Sub Pop a couple of years ago and now they've got a new album coming out called Starless. A mindset is an established pattern of thought or opinion, and boy, these guys have got one about music. The band Mindset is mass hard and heavy, almost metal. They also have new material, a 10-inch EP, Somewhere South of Comfort. I don't know if this is a Southern Comfort reference or a Slayer rip-off or both. JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ