STANLEY JORDAN
(Jazz Alley, through Sunday) Sure, Stanley's a truly innovative jazz-guitar hero. He came up with a new playing method (the ability to tap out two completely independent lines simultaneously, sometimes using two guitars), and he's been refining this jaw-dropping, piano-like approach ever since. His expertise is undeniable. Why, then, am I not interested in attending any of these solo shows? Mainly because I've already witnessed these lone acrobatics, and although I was mightily impressed, the whole affair felt more like a workshop than a concert. I walked out feeling a cold sense of awe--and no musical warmth. Check him out sometime, but if money's an issue--rent a video and save up for next week's Kenny Garrett and Jacky Terrasson run.--James Kirchmer

HAL LOVEJOY CIRCUS,

LILYS, BEACHWOOD SPARKS
(Crocodile) After listening to The 3-Way, the new album from Lilys, you have to wonder if the reason that Kurt Heasley has gone through so many band members (over 30 in seven years!) is because he's not entirely connected to what's going on around him. On the verge of the millennium, Heasley's crafted an album that might as well be a lost '60s pop masterpiece. It's utterly brilliant, and should make for a sunny, lighthearted show. Beachwood Sparks have been creating quite a buzz in L.A. (in all the right places) so get there early to see what all the fuss is about. --Barbara Mitchell

KULTUR SHOCK,

GUARDIAN ALIEN,

SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM
(OK Hotel) Here's a strong triple bill, and your only chance in July to dig Kultur Shock's energizing gypsy-funk grooves, unless of course you've picked up their solid Live in Amerika debut CD. Arrive early and catch the diverse rock 'n' beyond bag of Guardian Alien (starring ex-Sage member Guy Davis, who does a great rendition of Monty Python's "Meaning of Life"). Also on hand is San Francisco's Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, featuring members of Idiot Flesh and Charming Hostess, along with percussionist/freak MOE!Staiano, recently seen here "conducting" the Young Composers Collective and breaking dishes.--JK

SIX DEGREES, SMP, ABNEY PARK
(Sit & Spin) Didn't get tickets to End Fest and upset 'cause you really, really wanted to see Orgy? Well, you're in luck after all--local synth-rock outfit Six Degrees should cure your itch for predictable, industrial-tinged pop. There won't be anything as revolutionary as a New Order cover here, but if you like bands who grew up watching a lot of Nine Inch Nails videos then this is the show for you.--BM

SPEEDEALER,

THE LADONNAS, THE DROPOUTS
(Breakroom) Formerly known as REO Speedealer, Speedealer plays Southern-Fried hard rock in the way only a band hailing from Texas could: loud, pumped-up, and roaring with titles like "Double Clutchin' Finger Fuckin'" and "Ain't Fuckin' Around." --Kathleen Wilson.

MAKERS, RONDELLES, ENDURO
(Crocodile) A three piece band that's made up of two guitarists and a drummer? Don't even mention the Blues Explosion, 'cause Austin's Enduro could kick Jon Spencer's prissy little poseur butt any night of the week. This fine rock combo comes to Seattle straight outta Emo's (noise rock central, to those not acquainted with that-there Austin scene), with a kick-ass album and a live show guaranteed to rattle your bones and leave a smile on your face. And that's just the opening act!--BM

SILVERCHAIR
(Paramount) Despite frontman Daniel Johns' bout with anxiety--severe enough to keep the now 20-year-old house bound for months--Silverchair is back on the road in support of their third album, Neon Ballroom. This latest effort is more orch-rock than grunge, however the lack of originality marking the first two records is still a prevailing characteristic. If Silverchair first sounded like Nirvana's little brother, this time around they wanna grow up to be Smashing Pumpkins.--KW

NEGATIVLAND
(Showbox) See Live Preview page 37.

ABSTRACT TRIBE UNIQUE,

ACEYALONE, PHOENIX ORION
(RKCNDY) Fresh off a groovin' freestyle session with ex-Santana drummer Michael Shrieve, Maktub's Reggie Watts, and Lonnie "Meganut" Marshall, MC Abstract Rude is back with his entire South Central L.A.-based crew and a host of other fellow underground hiphoppers--none of which have EVER appeared in Seattle. Ya gotta hand it to the Funky Joint Crew for putting together this premier all-ages event. If forward-thinking, positive hiphop is your bliss, this is a party not to miss.--JK

CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY
(Pike Street between Broadway & 11th) Who doesn't love to get drunk in the streets on a Saturday afternoon? For three years now, Tasty Girl Promotions has been blocking off Pike Street, throwing out some thrift store couches and coffee tables, and providing beer, cocktails, and plenty of musical entertainment for anyone who knows how to have FUN. This year's performers include: Love As Laughter, Matchless, Piece of Sol, the Delusions, Mega Babe, Bonefire Madigan, Kulture Shock, the Manatees, the Vaccines, and the Catheters.--KW

THE CULT, NEW AMERICAN SHAME
(Paramount) See Calendar Box page 53.

KENNY ROGERS
(Pier 62/63) See Live Preview page 35.

4 HOUR RAMONA,

GERALD COLLIER, FERNANDO
(Tractor Tavern) From the minute you walk through the doors of Ballard's Tractor Tavern, it's apparent you're not going to be encountering a lot of experimental noise rock or BPMs. For the past five and a half years this comfortable neighborhood club has been providing a safe haven for the twangier, folkier end of the spectrum--a great place to check out the latest rising stars in the No Depression set or have a beer and watch your favorite roots artist. Tonight's show is a great opportunity to help celebrate the Tractor's success, show your gratitude, or get acquainted with a cross-section of that loosely knit scene, with appearances by Portland's Fernando and local favorites Gerald Collier and 4 Hour Ramona. --BM

MR. BUNGLE
(Showbox) At their worst, Mr. Bungle sound like a quirky (yet equally cheesy) genre-twisting lounge version of singer Mike Patton's "other" band, Faith No More. I'm not impressed--the band's obsession with juvenile weirdness is nearly never clever, and always pretentious. Or might it just be the fact that I find Patton's contrived vocal stylings grating at best? Or that I'm reminded of every annoying, bong-obsessed Art Institute dork I've ever met when I hear their pseudo-avant-experimentation? Opinions regarding Mr. Bungle usually fall into two categories--love and hate--but there are plenty of exceptions. Some of us think they just plain suck.--JK

MACHA, AMERICAN ANALOG SET
(Breakroom) See Live Preview page 37.

OZZFEST
(Gorge Amphitheatre) Fifty-eight bucks will get you Black Sabbath, Rob Zombie, Deftones, Slayer, Primus, Godsmack, Drain Sth and much, much more. Sunburn's free, however.--KW

SWAYZAK
(Re-bar) See Calendar Box, page 57.

FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE,

OWSLEY, NEVADA BACHELORS
(Crocodile) See Calendar Lead, page 47.

JUNE OF '44, The BLACK HEART

PROCESSION, RYE COALITION
(Breakroom) Take a walk on the darker side of indie rock tonight. June of '44 make an appearance in support of their excellent new album, Anahata--a lovely, moody disc that tempers post-rock's jagged, cerebral tendencies. It's a compelling and strangely hypnotic blend that should become even more adventurous live, since this is a band known for its improvisation. If you haven't seen The Black Heart Procession yet--shame on you! This San Diego outfit is the REAL soundtrack to closing time, a lo-fi version of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds that captures that feeling of utter, inevitable--and yet painfully beautiful--aloneness.--BM

THE MINDERS, BONFIRE

MADIGAN, MOUNTAIN CON
(Crocodile) The Elephant 6 invasion concludes tonight with a visit from the Minders. Ironically, the album they're touring in support of is titled Hooray For Tuesday--and their visit to the Croc this Tuesday evening is indeed cause for celebration if you're a fan of classic sounding, '60s-inspired pop. Rumor has it that the band has relocated to Portland (hey--it beats Denver...) so hopefully we'll be seeing more appearances 'round these parts.--BM

JUAN ATKINS
(ARO.space) Atkins is the elder statesman of Detroit, where he operates the classic Metroplex label and releases his own techno/R&B fusion as Model 500. His sound was the foundation for everything we know as techno, and some argue that his 1981 proto-electro Cybotron records strongly inflamesuenced a style-hungry Afrika Bambaataa. As a DJ he puts the party first, playing electronic dance music of all kinds with a cavalier attitude and a perpetual smile. Since he's not exactly a familiar face on the West Coast, his ARO.space appearance is not to be missed.--MC

EVERCLEAR
(Showbox) This is some kind of promotion with The End and Surge (dude) and I don't know how to get tickets. Neither does the Showbox, so don't go callin' them and bothering them all week.--KW

LUNCH BOX
(Wednesdays, Crocodile) Aging club kids with intact memories might remember a time before triphop was chart music, when club nights like Spice and Strong delivered a weekly dose of down-tempo sounds to the drunken masses of the underground. One might think these down-low sounds are all but extinct in Seattle, but wait: Nasir Rasheed and Brian Lyons have teamed up to revive this sorely missed vibe every Wednesday at the familiar old Croc. With their track record as classy promoters and impeccable down-tempo DJs, Lunch Box is shaping up to be one of the better ways to waste a perfectly good Wednesday.--MC