THURSDAY 3/30

CHARLATANS UK, STEREOPHONICS
(Showbox) The "Madchester" boys are not the same dynamic Brit-poppers they were before the death of organist Rob Collins in 1996. Collins' lush, vibrant strokes have been replaced with the quieter notes of new keyboardist Tony Rogers, and vocalist Tim Burgess has transformed his former surliness (witness 1992's "Can't Even Be Bothered") into sentimental hopes and regrets about love and parenthood. Burgess' increased predilection for melancholy, folksy, Dylanesque tunes has deprived the Charlatans' new sound of catchy hooks, though there are still a few gems, like the psychedelia-laced "Forever." In any case, the band's live show is bound to include many old faves, and their musicianship will no doubt be as tight and professional as ever. Even in their relative dotage, the Charlatans put on one cool live show, so just get yourself in a mood to enjoy the swirly soulfulness. MELODY MOSS

SLUDGEPLOW, HOG MOLLY, TON
(Crocodile) One look at the names on tonight's bill and you know you're not up for an evening of strummy singer-songwriters or light-hearted pop. That's right, folks -- it's time for another installment of the Head Trauma Coalition. In case you weren't paying attention, this outfit has banded together to do something about the lack of opportunities for bands creating heavier music. (How revolutionary -- actually doing something productive rather than sitting around bitching!) Tonight's show feature's the huge sounds of Hog Molly, Sludgeplow, and Ton -- and it's only a buck to get in. BARBARA MITCHELL

CATHETERS
(Foxes) Thursday nights are hipster nights at this Capitol Hill venue. Dress and drink accordingly. KATHLEEN WILSON


FRIDAY 3/31

QUASI, THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION
(Graceland) Sometimes it feels good to feel bad. Quasi and the Black Heart Procession both manage to distill those feelings of heartbreak and loneliness into something beautiful and strangely soothing. If misery loves company, then it's a sure bet that she keeps both these artists in her CD-changer, listening to them on endless repeat. BARBARA MITCHELL

BIG DADDY KANE AND PRINCE PAUL
(I-Spy) His real name is Antonio Hardy -- the "Kane" is an acronym for "King Asiatic Nobody's Equal," whatever that means. But Mr. Hardy can kick it hard, no doubt, and he has stuck around long enough to qualify for elder statesmanship in the still-nascent genre of hiphop. His exhortations on Afrocentric awareness and Muslim pride are often cut by a healthy dose of humorous boasting and name-calling (the man's a master at the lyrical insult), and he's found plenty of success with the less civically concerned -- see "Pimpin' Ain't Easy." Amazing that anyone in their 30s can be considered a grandfather on the scene, but when most artists today seem to get their first number-one record and their first pubic hair within the same week, that's indeed what he is. P.S. -- If you want to see more of Big Daddy (if you know what I mean), check out his special guest appearance in Madonna's much-maligned, but very fun book, Sex. LEAH GREENBLATT

CUBANISMO!
(Showbox) Though some have accused them of sacrificing musical excitement in the name of technical perfection, you could do worse than Cubanismo!. For one thing, as the previous sentence implies, they've got the chops. Most noticeable are lead trumpeter Jesus Alemany and pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, but the whole group hums along like a well-oiled machine, never dropping a note or missing a beat. Much is made of the influence of Latin music on jazz; conversely, the threads of jazz running through this group's music are quite apparent, from the structure of each piece to the way they trade solos between instruments. Plus, there's no doubt that these guys love what they do, and whether the pleasure is taken from a really good jam or from executing a difficult passage with ease, the result is much the same: It's all good. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS

WILLIS, SENSEFIELD, HILLTOP WASHINGTON
(Crocodile) Sensefield have been emo since before there was an "emo," tempering their punk roots with melody and emotion since the early '90s. The band recently found itself dropped from Warner Bros. after waiting years (no exaggeration) for its latest album to be released, so this tour should provide plenty of opportunities to put that frustration to good use on stage. BARBARA MITCHELL

HAFACAT
(OK Hotel) Hafacat have the greatest name. Just listen to the way it rolls off the tongue: Hafacat. Hafacat. Say it out loud: Hafacat. And the music ain't bad, either. In fact, it's damn good -- upbeat and catchy. Vivacious, even. Well, how else can you describe three-part harmonies and guitar riffs that skip lightly over an up-tempo backbeat, barely pausing for breath before they're off again? This band bounces, but I'm not talking cute bunny rabbits here; more like a tightly coiled spring. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS

RED STARS THEORY, ENEMYMINE, HOVERCRAFT
(Sit & Spin) I just listened to the new Red Stars Theory 7-inch -- "Naima" b/w "North to next Exit" -- and I am very impressed. Fantastic drumming, awesome synth and guitars, and nice violin. This supergalactic extravaganza is going to be a cool show because the bands are so different. First you'll get the double-bass gnarliness of Enemymine, then the aural/visual experimentation of Hovercraft. And to round out the edges of the evening, you'll have the pleasure of hearing the latest from Red Stars Theory. It's going to be rough, it's going to be wild, then you'll find yourself skirting the edges of the known universe before being sent on your way back onto the streets and then home. JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

GENITORTURERS
(Fenix) Really, everyone should see this street-theater-gone-wrong extravaganza at least once; your life isn't complete without it. Music is secondary when the Gens take the stage, a mere contributor to the overall effect, which is something akin to shock trauma. That probably explains why their current tour is in support of a remix album, the recently released Machine Love, which features a cover of the Divinyls' "I Touch Myself." You can't go wrong with scantily clad chicks and power tools, right? Besides, it's at the Fenix, which we should all enjoy while it lasts. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS


SATURDAY 4/1

SUPERSUCKERS, THE BRIEFS, BLOOD

BROTHERS
(Sit & Spin) While the media might be predicting the return of "the rock," the Supersuckers are living, (fire)breathing proof that it never went away. They've been keeping the faith for years now, churning out smokin' albums packed to the rafters (or was that "reefers"?) with feel-good anthems like "Born with a Tail" and "I Want the Drugs." The 'Suckers are proof that big, dumb rock doesn't have to be stupid -- it just has to kick ass. BARBARA MITCHELL

TIGHT BROS FROM WAY BACK WHEN
(Hi*Score Arcade) The Tight Bros make soundtrack music. Not for a movie (although it could be), but for life. When you are having a party and it's starting to swing, you kick it up a notch by playing the Tight Bros, don't you? When you're helping your friend move, you play the Tight Bros tape in the van, don't you? Of course you do, and for good reason. They are one of the rippin'-est rock bands playing; their guitar players look like it's all they can do to keep the damn things strapped around them, and the singer is a proud tambourinist. So when you're out and about on Saturday night, set the right mood and make the Tight Bros your soundtrack. JUAN-CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

NEKO CASE AND HER BOYFRIENDS
(Tractor Tavern) Word has it that Neko Case is packing up and getting the heck out of dodge, so tonight is both a celebration of the release of her fine new album, Furnace Room Lullaby, and a soon-to-be-rare opportunity to watch as she works her magic in person. The woman has one of THOSE voices: the kind that can convey genuine emotion and hard-won truths whether she's singing about the infestation of Wal-Mart or the heartbreaking end of an affair. (In fact, she's so good that she can even make Tacoma seem worthy of immortalizing.) Like Patsy Cline, she possesses the talent to defy any real sense of genre categorization -- it's just pure, bittersweet music from the heart. BARBARA MITCHELL

LIT, SAVE FERRIS, FENIX TX
(Moore Theatre) Light-hearted, radio-friendly pop-rock for the kids! This show should be endorsed by Clearasil, although the music is catchy enough that even cranky old-timers might have a hard time not enjoying themselves. Lit are living the adolescent dream: Their latest album is platinum, they've shot a video (and an episode of VIP) with Pamela Anderson Lee, and singer A. Jay Popoff recently got off scot-free after a run-in with the law last year (indecent exposure -- what'd you expect?). Aw, heck. Maturity is overrated. BARBARA MITCHELL


SUNDAY 4/2

Nothing to do, nowhere to go, I wanna be sedated.


MONDAY 4/3

PAUL OKENFOLD
(DV8) There are two kinds of DJs, I think. The inscrutable, press-shy, "I just want to be left alone in my basement with my toys" type, and the "fetch my Maserati, lackey, and my nubile, young girlfriend -- I've got a massive gig to get to" type. Paul Okenfold is one of the latter, a proto-rock star whose lifestyle has a lot more in common with James Bond than a mad scientist. And it's justified: He rightfully belongs to that old school of larger-than-life DJs who were there in the beginning and rode the wave to superstar, superclub status. Not surprisingly, he's had residencies galore in his native England and played at countless maximum-capacity events. Hopefully, the little beanie babies who were still in Pull-Ups when this man started will recognize an über-DJ when they see one. LEAH GREENBLATT

CROOKED FINGERS
(Crocodile) See Stranger Suggests, page 53.


TUESDAY 4/4

PONTICELLO
(Gordon Biersch) "Interesting." Such a great, noncommittal sort of adjective -- and so appropriate to use with Ponticello. This trio wants to push the boundaries of roots/rock music -- and to accomplish this, they're adding electronic aspects to the mix, along with elements of gypsy, bluegrass, and world music. Intriguing or terrifying? You make the call. You can check them out, FOR FREE, this evening at the Gordon Biersch -- and if you miss one set, there are always two other chances. BARBARA MITCHELL

FEMI KUTI
(Showbox) Successfully ducking the Sean Lennon syndrome, Femi Kuti actually manages to stand alone as a skilled, innovative musician and talented performer, even without the superstar father. In this case, Dad is the late Nigerian Afrobeat king Fela Kuti, apparently a very hard act to follow. Femi has taken the jazzy, funky, percussive sound of the original Kuti and expanded it, updating it for a younger crowd accustomed to a faster bpm and a more frenetic, consolidated workout. From all accounts, Femi really kicks out the jams in a live setting, pulling on his saxophone like a thirsty man on a Gatorade, and working many a woman into a helpless sexual frenzy. Can't beat that with a stick. LEAH GREENBLATT

VERBENA
(Crocodile) Although no one I know has actually tested this theory, I feel relatively confident that blasting Verbena from one's stereo will strip the paint off the neighbor's car. This Birmingham, AL power trio is mighty ferocious, but also incredibly, ridiculously melodic. Their latest album, Into the Pink, will make your stereo swagger and your plants drunk. And seeing them live will restore your faith in the down and dirty, life-affirming power of rock 'n' roll. BARBARA MITCHELL

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND
(Tacoma Dome) Every aspiring musician should be required to attend a performance by a veteran like Bruce Springsteen. Rather than relying on fads, fireworks, or fashionable haircuts, the Boss has achieved a place in rock history the old fashioned way: He's earned it. His shows are legendary for the sheer volume of blood, sweat, and tears -- not to mention music. You don't earn legendary status as a live performer by being half-assed, so no matter how much the tickets are going for, you're going to get your money's worth this evening. BARBARA MITCHELL


WEDNESDAY 4/5

OASIS, TRAVIS
(The Paramount) Did you know Oasis has a new album out? Or, would a better question be, do you care? Tonight's show is the kick-off of the once-mighty Brits' American tour, and should provide an excellent opportunity to see whether the addition of new musicians like Andy Bell (ex-Ride) can make up for the lack of on-stage fisticuffs now that the Gallagher brothers are reportedly behaving like grownups. (Drat.) While Oasis' career seems to be on the decline, Travis' is definitely on the rise; the opening slot on this tour should give them the exposure necessary to go from cult imports to full-fledged stars. It wouldn't be surprising if next time around the bill is switched. BARBARA MITCHELL

JOSH WHITE
(Gordon Biersch) Former Medicate frontman Josh White has quieted down a bit. His band is equally low-key, so that one comes away with a sort of coffeehouse impression. And hey, why not? After all, one of the nicer attributes of music like this is that it allows you to focus on the details. Even with the more up-tempo material, White leaves adequate space between the notes to allow the music to breathe. And every so often, he succumbs to the temptation to rock out. It might remind you where he came from musically, or it might just wake you up. Either way, it's not likely to surprise, but it will surely delight and entertain. GENEVIEVE WILLIAMS

CITY OF
(Showbox) It's not hard to be floored by City Of: The band's loose, floppy, indie-rock cloud is lined with the silver voice of their female singer. She sings like a contained biohazard -- brimming with the promise of combustion, but harnessed, controlled. Their Crocodile show early this year left me spent and in awe. And I've been holding my breath for this show as well. Catch them before they explode. ERIN FRANZMAN