Thursday July 29
CXQ5, THE BAND THAT MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS, HULABEES
(Crocodile) I know, I know. Those three words "Green Apple Quickstep" didn't exactly signal "quality music" to me, either. But you'd be doing yourself a disservice by dismissing former GAQ frontman Ty's new outfit out of hand. The Hulabees, which also feature ex-Gigolo Aunt/Tycoons guitarist/all-around swell guy, Phil Hurley, offer up a truly unique blend of soulful pop that will have you enjoying yourself in spite of any preconceptions you might bring with you. — Barbara Mitchell
NORTHWEST MUSIC AWARDS
(Showbox) No one's going to argue with the fact that local hiphop, R&B, and adult contemporary artists don't get the attention they deserve in this rock-centric town. Those genres dominate (along with Gospel/Contemporary Christian) in one of the more head-scratching local awards programs. Proof? Sleater-Kinney, Juno, Elliott Smith, and Carrie Akre are all nominated in various "single of the year" categories alongside such disparate artists as D-Cru, Collin Peacock, Tillie, and Da Savv. Assuming that you'll get to hear the music of the artists nominated, this could prove a great opportunity to expand your horizons. — BM
BOZ SCAGGS, LAURA LOVE
(Pier 62/ 63) See Live Preview
Friday July 30
KINGS X, PROTEIN, GENERATOR
(Fenix) Long-lived Kings X plays progressive hard rock with influences as diverse as the Beatles, Rush, James Brown, and U2. — Kathleen Wilson
KUBE SUMMER JAM W/BUSTA RHYMES
(Gorge Amphitheatre) See Live Preview
THE FARTZ, RC5, THE BLACK HALOS
(Mural Amphitheater) See some Calendar Box that doesn't exist on our webpage
PEDRO THE LION, 764-HERO, VELOUR 100
(Crocodile) Like Low, Pedro the Lion manage to convey more genuine emotion through sparse arrangements and fragile vocals than any of their often overwrought emo-core brethren. They're living proof that less actually can be more, and one of the rare bands who can make minimalism compelling in a live setting. — BM
SHUGGIE, SUNSET VALLEY
(Tractor Tavern) Hey, all you "rockers" who want more than just a head-bangingly good time — head down to the normally staid Tractor Tavern for a fine night of kick-ass rock and roll. Local faves Shuggie, serving up a good-time-friendly helping of The Rock, will make you un-cross those jaded arms. (Go buy their new album now.) Sunset Valley are prepping for the arrival of a new disc as well, and while recent material has been slightly less quirky than the brilliant-yet-overlooked The New Speed, you owe it to yourself to experience their left-field approach first-hand. — BM
THE WALKABOUTS
(Pier 62/63) See some Calendar Box that doesn't exist on our webpage
ROBERT WALTER'S 20TH CONGRESS, JUKE
(OK Hotel) Dubbed a Greyboy Allstars "sidecar project," Robert Walter's 20th Congress stars their keyboard player, and serves as a vehicle for his soul-jazz-oriented compositions. Although Robert's Hammond organ-based, acid-jazz-roots jams stray too close to by-the-book nostalgia for my tastes, they're certainly well-executed — and fun. If you're into bands like New Orleans' Galactic, this session's for you, but don't forget to spend some time in the lounge, where Juke's (a promising local trio) original blues-based build-ups are bound to be well-received. — James Kirchmer
WOMAD FESTIVAL
(Marymoor Park, through Sun) See some Calendar Box that doesn't exist on our webpage
Saturday July 31
TIM YOUNG & VERY SPECIAL FORCES, LAUNDRY, EUREKA FARM
(Sit & Spin) Listen to me now and think about it later: If you're a Ween fan, do WHATEVER it takes to squeeze tonight's show into your pre-Pier 62/63 show's budget. Guitarist Tim Young & his band of misfits are right up your alley, both musically and philosophically. Young will be moving to New York later this year, so get hip now — while ya still can. (This is also highly recommended for all you resonated "Bungle-heads" out there, as I hear Patton & company are quite fond of these local boys.) — JK
HOVERCRAFT, PLEASEEASAUR
(Crocodile) See Live Preview
LOVE BATTERY, HOG MOLLY, MACAW
(OK Hotel ) See some Calendar Box that doesn't exist on our webpage
MÖTLEY CRÜE, SCORPIONS
(Gorge Amphitheatre) Remember "back in the day," when it was cool to blow shit up on stage, put on makeup, and wail at the top of your lungs in the highest octave possible? If so, this is a prime opportunity to reclaim the glory of your youth, before grunge sucked all the fun out of rock. If not, you owe it to yourself to go see rock's elder statesmen crawl out of hibernation to demonstrate how it's supposed to be done. Who cares that they're doing it for money, Tommy Lee quit the Crüe, and no one wants to hear any new songs? C'mon and let Dr. Feelgood rock you like a hurricane! — BM
Sunday August 1
EVA AYLLON & HER AFRO-PERUVIAN FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE
(Shorecrest Performing Arts Center) Admittedly, having grown up in Peru, I have a definite soft spot for this GREAT singer, but I'm not the only one. She's a national treasure, and David Byrne wisely included her in his revelatory Afro-Peruvian Classics: The Soul of Black Peru compilation back in 1995. The $25 admission (at the door) is worth every penny, and as an added bonus, today's performance (at 4 p.m.) falls on the final day of Peru's Independence Day celebrations. Anyone who's been charmed by the recent Afro-Cuban-roots invasion is sure to also fall for Eva's similarly organic and funky grooves. — JK
Tuesday August 3
HAIRY APES BMX
(OK Hotel Lounge) Led by percussionist/vibraphonist/ rapper/Tasmanian-devil Mike Dillon (also of Critters Buggin), Hairy Apes' "Butt-Movin'-Experience" rose up last year from the ashes of Billy Goat, his former Austin-based, freak-funk ensemble. Etched into my memory is Billy Goat's uncanny ability to convince audiences that they oughta be dancing naked, and although Hairy Apes BMX are equally charismatic, their range goes well beyond Billy Goat's dionysian, George Clinton-meets-Tito Puente aesthetic. Think Dolphy, Tjader, and Ozomatli as well (hear their super-solid Expatriape debut CD), and check out this extensive Seattle "opening": Sit & Spin 8/5; Habana 8/7; OK Hotel 8/10; 700 Club 8/12; OK Hotel 8/17. Aww yeah! — JK
WEEN
(Pier 62/63) My favorite Ween moment occurred when a friend freaked out at his inability to discern whether the tape playing in the car was Ween's Chocolate and Cheese or the new Prince album. Far from being a dismissible novelty act, demented geniuses Dean and Gene Ween are actually top-notch mimics and true talents in their own right. They're touring in support of a live album, Paintin' the Town Brown, so tonight's show should draw from the entire Ween repertoire. Expect... Ween. (There's really no other way to explain it, is there?) — BM
Wednesday August 4
ONE NUT STAND
(Habana) Los Angeles' greatest nutmeg-lovin' bass player (Weapon of Choice's Lonnie Marshall) is back, and the word-up tonight is that Digital Underground's Shock G (the leader, in his Afro-wearin' incarnation, minus the humpty nose and goofy glasses) will be in the house, on some P-Funk-heavy keyboards, along with an amped up crew of local funksters. — JK
