Local matron of the punk-rock arts Mamma Casserole celebrated her "second 21st" birthday Saturday, June 23, at the Comet, the historic grunge dive that she's been booking of late. Mamma was feted with performances by Holy Ghost Revival, the Catheters-descended Tall Birds, the Hands, Clean Prophets, and the Pleasureboaters. Happy belated birthday!
Two nights earlier, Mamma and the Comet played host to Portland's finest glam Italo export, Glass Candy. The duo of producer/instrumentalist Johnny Jewel and vocal in genue Ida No did their best to turn the dive bar into a glittering discotheque—Jewel deployed icy synth arpeggios, spare beats, and funky, muscular bass while No sang and whispered through thick, druggy delays and danced barefoot through the audience. Not everyone stuck around after mismatched openers Strong Killings, the adrenalized, willfully adolescent thrash-punk side project of Nate Mooter and Mike Loggins of the Lashes. But those who did—an eager, fashionable set that was clearly there for Glass Candy from the beginning—were rewarded with a set much longer than the band's last Seattle appearance at Club Pop, though one that was occasionally impaired by technical difficulties and inelegant lighting.
Glass Candy appear on a new compilation from Troubleman Unlimited spin-off label Italians Do It Better alongside Seattle expats Chromatics as well as up-and-comers Farah, Mirage, and others. Chromatics play Thursday, June 28, for Club Pop at Chop Suey along with Atlanta electro upstart Le Castle Vania, Portland gloom rockers the Prids, and resident DJs Paco and Colby B.
Chop Suey and the Crocodile both have compelling concert series this summer. Chop Suey's hosting a Summer Sunday BBQ Series with bands, barbecue, and DJs nearly every Sunday afternoon this July (the one exception is for the July 22 Maximo Park concert). Sunday BBQ shows start at 3:00 p.m. and cost $5. Sunday, July 1, features Feral Children (whose new CD should be out in the coming months), the Zero Points, the Love Lights, and DJ Merchbot 2000. Future installments will include Shorthand for Epic, Graig Markel, and Wesafari, among others.
The Crocodile's Save a Penny Series aims not for the gut but the wallet, offering occasional free shows through at least August. Thursday, June 28, features tacky antique captain Spencer Moody's bellowing noise vessel Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive to Death, Hideous Thieves, and guests. And it's totally free! No free show for July as of yet, but August 3 offers up Italy-based Sub Pop artist Jennifer Gentle, as well as Portland buzz band Blitzen Trapper and locals Hypatia Lake. And, yes, it's free. 
