THURSDAY 12/22
REVOLUTIONARY HIPHOP
(Noc Noc) See Stranger Suggests, page 29.
WAKEFIELDS
(Little Red Hen) See Border Radio, page 50.
THE SENATE ARCADE, SPEAKER SPEAKER, JUHU BEACH, WHITE GOLD
(Chop Suey) I've praised both Speaker Speaker and Juhu Beach before, and I'm gonna do it again—consider it my "holiday" gift to you. Speaker Speaker play the snappiest, bounciest lo-fi pop you've heard in a long time. Juhu Beach's unhinged indie-rock temper tantrums pair a mild early-'90s sheen with the experimental guitar work of early Modest Mouse. Top that with the wall of sound that is the Senate Arcade and local up-and-comers White Gold, and you've got yourself a hell of a night, showcasing some of Seattle's best hidden gems. MEGAN SELING
BRIGGAN KRAUSS, ERIC BARBER
(Gallery 1412) Former Seattle saxophonist Briggan Krauss has played with Wayne Horvitz's Pigpen and Steven Bernstein's Sex Mob, where he lends strident, vibrant blowing to the bands' tough bop, spy-jazz grooves, and porn-flick funk. While he's also enhanced recordings by quality artists like Medeski, Martin & Wood, and Bill Frisell, Krauss really excels in solo situations. His 1999 disc Descending to End is especially impressive, as Krauss applies electronic treatments to the type of roaring and squealing sax trepanning that could reanimate the late Sun Ra. Bold, extreme stuff. DAVE SEGAL
VELELLA VELELLA, MU MESON, POISON DART
(High Dive) By this time next year, expect Velella Velella to be fielding record-label offers from sizable, sage indies. One listen to Velella Velella's The Bay of Biscay album should convince you of this Seattle quartet's special chemistry. Drawing from the same deep well of irrepressible positivity as U.S.E, VV forge danceable rock filigreed with aquamarine vibes and Rhodes, sunburst guitars, sinuous bass lines, and myriad odd textures—like if Stereolab lost their Continental aloofness for a change. And now VV have in their arsenal a clavinet, the greatest instrument ever. The world is their oyster. DAVE SEGAL
THE TURN-ONS
(Neumo's) The Turn-Ons are preparing to release their latest confectionary collection of eye- and ear-bending pop. Now an all-male four-piece, the group keep their heads tilted toward the heavens, even as the soul of their sound rests with the shoegazers. Dreamy stuff comes from this band, and tonight their show is free. JENNIFER MAERZ
FRIDAY 12/23
BIG BUSINESS, AKIMBO, THE RUBY DOE
(Neumo's) See Stranger Suggests, page 29.
EXPIRATION DATE, ONLY HUMAN, CLAYMORE, BREAKNECK
(El Corazón) Kitsap County's metal/hardcore act Claymore has been seething under the surface for a while now, but word on the street is that they recently wrapped up recording a full-length that'll come out sometime next year. You'll definitely want to make a note of their name if you're into blazing guitars, blistering vocals, and heavy-as-shit bass that makes your heart drop with each riff. MEGAN SELING
GHOST STORIES, THE ELEPHANTS, BLUE CHECKERED RECORD PLAYER, DJ CORIANTON
(Crocodile) Tonight is more than just a rock show; it's also a birthday party for Liz, one of the Three Imaginary Girls! Of course, being the illustrious indie-music guru that she is, she celebrates another year in true style, hosting a fabulous fête featuring Ghost Stories, the Elephants (it's also their record release show!), and Blue Checkered Record Player. DJ Corianton (who just happens to be this paper's art director and a member of the adorable pop band Tullycraft) will be closing up the night with vinyl selections in the back bar, and the Long Winters' own John Roderick will be playing Santa for those will last-minute Christmas wishes. Now that's a party. Happy Birthday, Imaginary Liz! MEGAN SELING
SATURDAY 12/24
BUSHWICK BILL, FYSION WITH TILO, WOODPILE, INTRINZIK, TRAGEDY AND Q-LOC, BLOODSHOT, UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL
(El Corazón) The Geto Boys' Bushwick Bill, a gangsta dwarf who lost an eye during a suicide attempt, is the wrong dude to confuse for an elf on Christmas Eve. He's hiphop's truest tragicomic figure, flipping between self-deprecating quips and vivid snapshots of his darkest hours. On the '90s classic "Mind of a Lunatic," Bill describes a giant apparition that absorbed his punches and vanished, leaving him pounding his knuckles bloody on the concrete. Bill still goofs around on the Boys' 2005 release The Foundation, but he also spits verses that reveal the raw scratch marks under the tears of this clown. ANDREW MILLER
SUNDAY 12/25
Look, Frank, it's a TOASTER!MONDAY 12/26
triumph of lethargy skinned alive to death
(Bus Stop) See Live Wire, page 49.
THE INTELLIGENCE
(Neumo's) Take advantage of Neumo's generosity and come hear the apocalyptic post-punk panache of local boys the Intelligence for free. With the permanent addition of half the Popular Shapes, these guys really warp your brain like heatstroke, minus the puking aftermath. One band, one night, one-half off all the drinks. Good stuff. JENNIFER MAERZ
TUESDAY 12/27
CLUB POP! THE PHARMACY, HOLY GHOST REVIVAL, THE DIVORCE (DJ SET), DJS COLBY B & PACO
(Chop Suey) See preview, page 40.
WEDNESDAY 12/28
QUEEN TRIBUTE NIGHT W/THE DIVORCE, NOVATONE, ARGO, OPTIMUS RHYME, TRIPLE X AUDIO, MON FRERE, HALLOQUEEN, BOBCATS, MOC MOC, OTHERS
(Chop Suey) Freddie Mercury would definitely approve of tonight's proceedings. Local luminaries like the Divorce, Novatone, and Argo come together to cover the songs of Mercury and his flamboyant, groundbreaking band Queen—but more importantly, to raise money for local nonprofit Rise n' Shine. The organization was the first in the nation dedicated to providing support to children and teens affected by HIV and AIDS, whether infected themselves, orphaned by the disease, or dealing with a parent or sibling who is infected. Making special appearances tonight are the Fat Bottomed Girls (members of Kane Hodder, Schoolyard Heroes, and Vendetta Red) and Halloqueen (featuring Rick and Chris Friel and Sean Bates.) A great night of music for a great cause. BARBARA MITCHELL
SLEATER-KINNEY, STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS, QUASI: Thurs Dec 29, Showbox
MAKTUB, SHAWN SMITH, DAYLIGHT BASEMENT, ABBOTFINNEY: Sat Dec 31, Showbox
BLUE SCHOLARS, WHEEDLE'S GROOVE, TRE KINGS, SABZI, MARC SENSE, GUESTS: Sat Dec 31, Neumo's
HEDWIG'S NEW YEAR'S EVE GLAM ROCK CIRCUS WITH NICK GARRISON & SISSYFIST, SARA RUDINOFF, THE BUTTROCK SUITES, ZIGGY STARDUST, GUESTS: Sat Dec 31, Crocodile
VENDETTA RED, THE DIVORCE, RAZREZ, EUPHORIETTE, YOUNG SPORTSMEN: Thurs Jan 5, Neumo's
THE ADVANTAGE, GUESTS: Fri Jan 6, the Paradox
REEL BIG FISH, GOLDFINGER, ZEBRAHEAD, BOTTOM LINE: Sat Jan 7, Showbox
COLIN MELOY, LAURA VEIRS, THE TORTURED SOULS: Wed Jan 18, Showbox
INXS: Thurs Jan 19, Paramount
NILE, HYPOCRISY, SOILENT GREEN, RAGING SPEEDHORN, GUESTS: Mon Jan 23, El Corazón
THE BLOOD BROTHERS, MINUS THE BEAR, THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES, CRYSTAL SKULLS: Sat Jan 28, Showbox
ROCKY VOTOLATO, SLENDER MEANS: Sat Jan 28, Crocodile
OF MONTREAL, GRAND BUFFET, GUESTS: Tues Jan 31, Chop Suey
STARS: Wed Feb 8, Showbox
VOYAGER ONE, TOURIST, ROMANCE: Sat Feb 11, Crocodile
BOB MOULD: Wed Feb 15, Neumo's
CAT POWER: Mon Feb 20, Moore
NADA SURF, ROGUE WAVE: Sun Feb 26, Showbox
LOW: Tues March 7, Neumo's
ANTI-FLAG, THE CASUALTIES, THE UNSEEN, SMOKE OR FIRE, THE A.K.A.S: Fri March 17, El Corazón
MINISTRY, REVOLTING COCKS, SPYDER BABY: Sun May 28, Showbox
