THURSDAY 12/14

DOPE EMPORIUM: SILENT LAMBS PROJECT, SPECS ONE, ABYSSINIAN CREOLE, KUDDIE MAK, OLDOMINION
(CHAC) See preview.

TELEFON TEL AVIV, SUNTZU SOUND, GUESTS
(Chop Suey) See preview.

PANDA & ANGEL, S., THE CAVE SINGERS
(Crocodile) See preview.

+44, THE MATCHES
(Fenix) Tom DeLonge left Blink-182 because he wanted to be in a U2 rip-off band with the inclination to use the delay pedal on every fucking song (enter Angels & Airwaves). Leftover (and less disturbingly egomaniacal) members Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus, though, still had the love for all that is catchy and quick, so they reformed as +44, the new post-Blink project also featuring Shane Gallagher and Craig Fairbaugh. It's not Blink-182, but it'd be sorta pathetic if it were. What it is, is just-as-predictable emotionally driven rock with two guitars versus one, and boringly catchy harmonies. They simply exist for 14-year-old girls who are afraid of real rock music and the boys who love them. MEGAN SELING

THE LASHES, ROMANCE, THE GIRLS, ICEAGE COBRA
(Funhouse) Northwest Harvest is not only benefiting from the proceeds from our Strangercrombie Holiday Auction (visit thestranger.com/strangercrombie to bid on all sorts of excellent gifts for music fans), but also from the good folks in these local bands. Tonight they're forgoing payment to put on a feel-good free show for their fans. Just show up at the door with two cans of food and you're in. You can donate even more with every pint of Pabst you order; 50 cents from every $2 PBR goes directly to the local food bank. HANNAH LEVIN

THE PWRFL POWER, TEETH AND HAIR, HOT LOINS
(Gallery 1412) Vancouver, BC's Hot Loins soak their synth-punk arrhythmia in dirty psychedelics, layering spaced-out moans over twitchy guitars, wobbling keyboards, and chaotic drumming. The band unexpectedly shift between syrupy slow lurching and epileptic fits like a stumbling, potentially violent drunk. Less than two years old, the band have already played dozens of shows, remixed Deerhoof, and are working on a full-length for Sound Document due out this spring. Seattle's adorably demented guitar whiz kid Kaz Nomura is the PWRFL Power, a usually one-man army of derailed guitar virtuosity, vast musical knowledge, and humble good humor. ERIC GRANDY

ANDRE NICKATINA & EQUIPTO, UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL, MR. DOG, GABRIELTEODROS
(Neumo's) Andre Nickatina, formerly known as Dre Dog, has rapped equal parts druggy gutter raps and bizarre, borderline psychedelic lyricism for over a decade. A real legend from the Bay (and deliberate underground king), his smoothly murderous delivery has earned him a cultish fanbase worldwide. What I love is that the coke-blunt-loving MC has, among other notable locals, Mass Line's own Gabriel Teodros opening up. No word on whether Gabe will be covering "Powda 4 the Hoes," but stay posted. LARRY MIZELL JR.

FRIDAY 12/15

10th ANNUAL SINGLES GOING STEADY XMAS PARTY
(Funhouse) See preview.

THE CATCH, WHITE GOLD, NO-FI SOUL REBELLION, PARIS SPLEEN
(Comet) Say her name! The Catch's Carly Nicklaus is like Seattle's Beyonce: a woman of magnitude that does it all. But Carly kicks Beyonce's ass—she lures you into the bedroom with shy, sly new-wave guitar hooks, then knocks you out with one swing of her pillow, much like a Go-Go Mike Tyson. Yet again, the Comet provides a night of complete, full-on pop and rock activity. Particularly notable is Mark Heimer of No-Fi Soul Rebellion, a frontman who will entertain the ever-living shit out of you, for he is the artist currently known (at least in my world) as White Prince. TRENT MOORMAN

KINSKI, PINK MOUNTAINTOPS, THE SPOILS
(Crocodile) Although Pink Mountaintops came out with one of the most cleverly titled records this year (Axis of Evol on Jagjaguwar), it doesn't change the fact that I really wish we were hearing more from frontman Stephen McBean's other project, psychedelic rock insurgents Black Mountain. Pink Mountaintops' self-described stoner-country focus, while still admirably organic in atmospherics and construction, is more of a fleeting amusement than anything as memorable and ground-rattling as his other band. HANNAH LEVIN

AKRON/FAMILY, THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES
(Neumo's) Akron/Family preview, These Arms Are Snakes preview.

GAY BEAST, SHEARING PINX, TWIN, SHARING PINK EYE
(Artworks) See preview.

SATURDAY 12/16

PRETTY GIRLS MAKES GRAVES, PROTOTYPES, YOGOMAN BURNING BAND, DJ ROY (ROOHA), DJ J. CLARK
(Chop Suey) Rumors are flying that Pretty Girls Make Graves could be calling it a day sometime soon. Personally, I hope that's not true, but in the event that it is, diehard fans would be wise to come out and show them some love. Openers Yogoman Burning Band are the brainchild of former Alamo Social Club leader Jordon Rain, who does double duty as the dancehall-influenced band's vocalist and drummer. HANNAH LEVIN

THE LIVING END, THE BRIGGS, THEE EMERGENCY
(Crocodile) Best known in America for their 1998 single "Prisoner of Society," which established them as a greaser-set Green Day with authentic accents, the Living End have achieved rock-god status in their native Australia. This summer, the group won four Jacks (like Aussie People's Choice Awards, except, in party-continent fashion, they're sponsored by Jack Daniels). The trio's live show, as hammy and technically tight as the Reverend Horton Heat's, demonstrates that it deserved that gong-shaped "Best Live Band" trophy. While not as raucous or rockabilly-charged as their early albums, 2006's State of Emergency preserves the group's reputation for ingratiating hooks. ANDREW MILLER

THE SUSPICIONS, THE SPARROWS, COCONUT COOLOUTS, CO-ED REBELLION
(Jules Maes) One of the most underappreciated of Seattle power-pop bands, the Suspicions got their name when, during practice, singer/guitarist Karen Mitchell's amp kept picking up an oldies radio station and started playing "Suspicion," the sole hit of '60s popster Terry Stafford. Too perfect to be fake, that anecdote pretty much sums up the irresistible charm of the band: a short, sweet, lo-fi broadcast, brushing against the obscure edges of pop-music history and filtered through Mitchell's early-Costello/Joe Jackson/Nick Lowe songwriting sensibilities. BILL BULLOCK

SPEAKER SPEAKER, BOAT, SHORTHAND FOR EPIC, PATIENCE PLEASE, GHOSTS & LIARS
(Paradox) See preview.

Ballard CALLING
(Sunset) See preview.

THE REFORMATION, NIGHT MECHANIC, MURDER PARTY
(Blue Moon) The Reformation is a man, a sole man named Westin Glass, who's recently released a full-length on June Records called The Floral War, which is a sometimes-confident, sometimes-coy collection of poppy rock songs that summon the mid-'90s energy of slightly emo outfits like the Promise Ring (melodically speaking), but with a more rock spine à la Super Deluxe or Better Than Ezra (minus the faux country). Live, he'll sometimes play solo, but tonight I think he'll be summoning his live band (featuring Nathan Wright and John Bagley) to pour out catchy numbers like "Give All Your Love to Me." MEGAN SELING

SUNDAY 12/17

THE BRAILLE TAPES, THE WHORE MOANS LITTLE PARTY AND THE BAD BUSINESS, DJ CUDDLEUP
(High Dive) Though I don't want to miss Public Enemy's show at the Showbox (see David Schmader's excellent preview of the show on page 47), I have to also recommend stopping by the High Dive for the Braille Tapes, the Whore Moans, Little Party and the Bad Business. That's a strong bill of petulant, powerful punk, and there's the added bonus of DJ Cuddleup, a.k.a. the Turn-Ons Eric Blood, a multi-talented man who also maintains one of the most covetable record collections in the city. HANNAH LEVIN

PUBLIC ENEMY, X-CLAN, THE BANNED
(Showbox) See preview.

ALELA DIANE, JOHANNA KUNIN
(Tractor) You'll be hearing a lot more about newcomer Alela Diane. This Portland singer-songwriter grew up alongside Joanna Newsom in the quaintly creative oasis of Nevada City, California, and played her first show at her friend's request a scant three years ago. Her debut album, The Pirate's Gospel, is an uncommonly mature album from such a young artist—a ghostly, otherworldly affair that summons up specters of old blues singers and conjures long-lost visions. Her voice is immediately arresting and undeniable—strong, clear, and far too haunted to be coming out of someone so young. BARBARA MITCHELL

EL VEZ
(Triple Door) See preview.

MONDAY 12/18

THE TALLBOYS
(Tractor) You'd be a fool to miss tonight's square dance, the third in the Tractor's new monthly series, featuring local old-time string band the Tallboys. I know, square-dancing sounds lame—you're happy to have left it behind in elementary school—but I'm sorry, you're wrong. In the proper setting, with the right people, it's possibly the most fun you can have, ever. Seriously. Seeing as this takes place at the Tractor, I'm confident tonight will draw a vivacious, boisterous crowd. You don't need to know how to square-dance, or really be any good at it—the caller walks everyone through the steps beforehand—so relax, do your best, and have one hell of a good time. And bring your instruments: The night starts out with an open jam. KIM HAYDEN

EL VEZ
(Triple Door) See preview.

TUESDAY 12/19

T-Time, Rudy AND The Rhetoric, Dawhud
(Nectar) Local MC T-Time cites Fiona Apple among his influences—less, I think, a nod to her own dubious rap ability than to her typically eclectically engaging production. Producer Geoff Stanfield laces T-Time's conversational flow with a dusted, protean funk that is far from contemporary hiphop's screaming synths or sped up/slowed down vocal chops. The atmospheric warmth of this live instrumentation gives an uncommon intimacy to Time's breezy observations on his debut set, Got It Right Here; check the kid before his impending move down to L.A. so you can sample the goods. LARRY MIZELL JR.

EL VEZ
(Triple Door) See preview.

WEDNESDAY 12/20

HOLIDAY BIZARRE, HAMMOND, THE WHISKY SWILLERS, THE TALLBOYS
(Tractor) See Monday.

MORE

IAN McFERON BAND, ACORN PROJECT: Fri Dec 22, Crocodile

EMMYLOU HARRIS: Fri—Sat Dec 22—23, Benaroya Hall

BOAT, SHAKE SOME ACTION, PATIENCE PLEASE: Sat Dec 23, Crocodile

SCHOOLYARD HEROES, THE DIVORCE, SIRENS SISTER: Fri Dec 29, El Corazón

JEREMY ENIGK, WILD SWEET ORANGE, GUESTS: Sat—Sun Dec 30—31, Chop Suey

THE MELVINS, BIG BUSINESS: Sunday Dec 31, Showbox

3 INCHES OF BLOOD, ZEKE, BOOK OF BLACK EARTH, PLASTER: Sun Dec 31, El Corazón

HARVEY DANGER, "AWESOME": Sun Dec 31, Crocodile

JAMES MERCER, ERIC BACHMANN, JOEL RL PHELPS: Sat Jan 6, Neumo's

INCUBUS, ALBERT HAMMOND JR.: Sat Jan 6, Paramount

MY MORNING JACKET: Mon Jan 8, Moore

BOBBY BARE JR.: Fri—Sat Jan 12—13, Sunset

STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS: Fri Jan 19, Neumo's

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE, MATT COSTA: Tues—Wed Jan 23—24, Showbox

KEANE: Tues Jan 30, Paramount

LUPE FIASCO: Wed Jan 31, HUB at UW

THE ROOTS: Sat Feb 3, Showbox

ALL THAT REMAINS, MISERY SIGNALS, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT: Wed Feb 7, El Corazón

OF MONTREAL, ENON: Fri Feb 9, Showbox