THURSDAY APRIL 1

MARY LOU LORD, POMPEII, CARISSA'S WEIRD
(Breakroom) Sometimes I kind of respect Mary Lou Lord, because I don't think I would've had the guts to stand on a street corner and sing songs by myself with no one else up there to keep me from quitting when people weren't paying any attention. Maybe if I was older and I needed the money I might be a little more psyched, like Mary Lou must have been when she first started the whole busking craze back when her allowance ran out. Times were tough for the pixyish singer and she had a bad reputation, because she gave the Hole singer's boyfriend a slap on the head or something. Somehow I think I'd probably just be a bartender like my hero Kim Warnick, who I doubt ever busked on any street corner anywhere, no matter how broke she was. I'd be a great bartender. I already know I make an excellent Schroeder, My Aunt K.'s favorite drink that tastes like a root beer flamesoat but makes me giggle if I steal a few sips. I'm her second favorite bartender, after Leslie from the Murder City Devils, who also would never busk.--Alex Pickett, age 12.

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD
(Moore Theater) The history of MMW can be neatly divided into two eras: pre-Phish and post-Phish. By the time they were asked to open a show for this nouveau-hippie juggernaut in late '95, Jerry Garcia had died, and Phish's Trey Anastasio was the tie-dyed masses' new E. F. Hutton. Countless squinting stoners listened intently--and freaked out. It's no surprise, as keyboardist John Medeski and company are simply the most exciting instrumental out-funk group to come along since Miles and Herbie--and their popularity even helped pave the way for the recent Headhunters reunion. Anything is possible in MMW's expanding universe, so stay tuned.--James Kirchmer

JOSHUA REDMAN BAND
(Jazz Alley, through Sunday) He's a competent young saxophonist--but certainly not the jazz hero that far too many proclaim him to be. The outpouring of critical praise is due more to his easy marketability (he's the son of a great player, and a young, good lookin' Harvard grad) rather than any distinguished abilities. A jazz hero is someone who innovates, not someone who might win new jazz converts via safe musical motions. Until Joshua begins to stamp his music with more personality and develops an original sound and style, consider him a fine disciple of the jazz repertoire, but not the jazz spirit.--JK

RUSTY WILLOUGHBY, BUGS IN AMBER, VANESSA VESELKA
(The Elysian) Over the past few months, Rusty Willoughby has undergone a major transformation. Once an almost painfully shy performer, the Rusty I saw last month at the Tractor Tavern was an entirely different creature: confident, warm, and wide open. Much of Rusty's new power comes from the addition of Anne-Marie Ruljancich's cello and vocal harmonies, but, as always, the bottom line is the songs--almost heroically beautiful, and now performed with an ease and generosity that leaves audiences (and pointy-headed writers) near tears. Show up in time to catch Bugs in Amber, a darling new Seattle band blending melodies of Brian Wilson sweetness with the sonic drama of a pretension-free Radiohead. Yum-E.--David Schmader


FRIDAY APRIL 2

DUB NARCOTIC SOUND SYSTEM, THE CRABS, OLD TIME RELIJUN, MOLDY
(American Legion Hall, Port Townsend) Knowing how constantly challenging the Dub Narcotic spin-offs can be--how spacious and deep and innovative their sounds are--I'd personally automatically check out any band with a name like Old Time Relijun, with their K Records affiliation. The fact that they're playing with the Narcotic themselves (now featuring Demon Mistress of the Drums Heather Dunn) and Portland's Farfisa-charged Crabs (as cool and chaotic and '60s as you'd wish) means this gig is cool indeed. --Everett True

ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN, FIREBALLS OF FREEDOM, WATTS
(Breakroom) Welp, fer y'all "splunkers" NOT at the OK Hotel, the NASCAR sanctioned, beast o' the EAST, Electric Frankenstein, finally back in town! Uh, tho' at the moment I dunno WHO singin', they getta new voxman quarterly, but "sonically" speakin' I betcha they'll pound yer ass DOWN wif 'at low-end crunch 'n' munch; hell, EF's first few singles 'n' 'at 10" EP set the STANDARD fo' '90s punked "rock 'n' ROLL." Oh, also on fer the evenin's entertainment is the eberlubbin' AreSeeFive, Watts, post Mono-Men... uh, heavy metal, and the Fireballs o' Freedom, who kinda play 'at unrestrained MC5 slop, but sometimes seem to wanna count to fo' in odd numbers!--Mike Nipper

GANG GREEN, THE VIBRATORS, THE YA-YA'S
(OK Hotel) FUCK y'all!!! The Vibrators... and GANGmuthafuggin' GREEN!!! Whoo... tha's both kindsa music... "punk" and "hardcore" all in one show?! Dig, the Vibrators WERE parta the "original" U.K. '70s punk wave... AND Gang Green first-generation '80s Boston "hardcore" and later one o' the FIRST "hardcore" bands to slow the blurred beat to today's popular "Dead Boy" mo' "rock" form. Uh... anyways, I ain't heard any o' either band's recent recordin's... much less seen 'em, so's I ain't 'spectin' SHIT! Like, as a general rule fer these "type" shows, pray fer SMOKIN' "oldie goldies" jaw onna flameso' show, but figger on the absolute worst... 'specially as botha these bands eventually skipped merrily down 'at "longhair" trail!--MN

GREEN PAJAMAS, RUSTON MIRE, THE CONGRATULATORS
(Sit & Spin) I'm going to let everyone in on a little secret: that guy who did such great drumming on that old MTV hit "Peaches" drums with the opening band tonight. I hear that despite him being really famous and everything, he doesn't have a big head at all--and is very down to earth and approachable, as long as you don't mention how rich he is. He sounds like Jeremy Enigk, doesn't he? Anyway, if his new band is half as good as that band who did "Peaches," I bet they're wonderful. That drummer (I can't remember his name right now) drums with such passion! Not as much as William Goldsmith from Sunny Day Real Estate, obviously--with whom he shares a fondness for the occasional tipple, at least according to Aunt Kathleen--but he can certainly thump them! And he still looks great for someone over 30. Anyway, Sunny Day released this great....--Tommie Pickett, age 9 1/2 That's enough Sunny Day, Tommie.--Music Ed.

PETE KREBS & THE GOSSAMER WINGS, MIKE JOHNSON
(Crocodile) See Calendar Box, page 43.


SATURDAY APRIL 3

KULTUR SHOCK, SMOKE SHACK OKIESTRA, SWEET 75
(Crocodile) They're an energetic, rumba-fueled party band (featuring the fine talents of a few lucky Yugoslavian transplants), and they favor the many varieties of Eastern European wedding music--but do not limit themselves in any way. Anything is game for Kultur Shock, so don't be surprised if you hear some rock, funk, or blues-styled numbers. Like gypsies, they go for a soulful gumbo and passionate vocals. Tonight marks their CD debut release party, so arrive on time for the festivities, especially given that Krist Novoselic's Sweet 75 are kicking things off.--JK

MYSTERY MEAT
(Showbox) In lieu of Sleater-Kinney's cancelled show, the Showbox has come up with a brilliant idea--the first eight bands to call a special phone number (see ad, page 48) will receive a slot for the night. Obviously, this scheme has the possibility of going horribly, terribly wrong. But it's free, and who knows? Maybe you'll find something you like. As an added incentive, the first 100 people through the door receive $1. Can there be a more exciting way to spend an evening? I think not.--Bradley Steinbacher

PARINI
(Sub Pop Mega Mart) Sometimes I'm too ironic for my own damn good: people even doubt I love this duo, despite their obvious charm. A battered drum kit, a drop-dead cute drummer, a girl who wrenches any amount of different noises out of her guitar while singing/crooning in unpredictable fashion. What could be more lovable than that? Jeez, do I have to spell everything out to you mar-oons?--ET

SEATTLE'S BIGGEST SWING FLING
(Mercer Arena) Swing is stupid. Loads of rich people wearing Isadore outfits pretending they're black. It's like all those snooty kids wearing Donna Karan and Calvin Klein backpacks you always see at school, who cut you dead and pretend they're really "with it" because their mom once went to a party that Courtney Love was at. Like, it's almost impossible not to! Anyway, all swing bands play these horrible happy party numbers with horrible happy trombones and horrible happy trumpets like they've always been this way, when we all know that three years ago they were all copying Sunny Day Real Estate or Smashing Pumpkins. I really don't like bands who don't stick with one idea.--TP, age 9 1/2

ZEKE, SPEEDEALER, THE HOOKERS(Breakroom)
Barely anything remains of what made Seattle so exciting in the early '90s: this is how it should be--ingest it, spit it out, and move on. Don't linger. Not that there's much chance of lingering when Zeke takes the stage. Fast, furious, no-nonsense and damnably heavy (exactly as rock should be), they're like the only Holders of the Rock Flame in town (except of course Promise Keepers, Mudhoney, Family Sex Jackpot, C Average...).--ET


SUNDAY APRIL 4

ZEKE, THE HOOKERS, SPEEDEALER
(Velvet Elvis) See Sat April 3.

MONDAY APRIL 5SEBADOH, LOWERCASE
(Showbox) Most critics seem to think that Sebadoh's latest, The Sebadoh, is a disappointment, more of the same--and too glossed over. Most critics are stupid. The Sebadoh is, without a doubt, Sebadoh's finest, most complete album to date--the first time that the emotional power of Lou's lovetorn, highly strung ballads have been matched by Jason's angry, wired noise explosions. The fact that their new drummer Russ Pollard also rules is a considerable bonus. "Love is Stronger" is one of the finest songs that Lou has written, and the whole album reminds me of the feeling Nirvana used to engender within me (the feeling, not the sound)--when I would be simultaneously torn asunder and spiritually uplifted. (Look, I'm sorry if I'm making them sound like a Christian rock band.) Always unpredictable live; who knows what this Showbox outing will be like.... Kathleen Wilson informs me that AmRep's guitar- saturated Lowercase are well worth seeing too.--ET


WEDNESDAY APRIL 7

DANNY BARNES, MARK GRAHAM & ORVILLE JOHNSON
(Tractor) If you were shut out of the recent Bad Livers performance--or perhaps found it too limiting (it was a duo show), here's another chance (and likely a more enjoyable opportunity) to see the Austin-bred Livers' ace banjo/guitar player, Danny Barnes, strut his head-turnin' stuff. This time he's in the company of two world-class local cats. Mark plays harmonica, Orville plays guitar, and both of them sing. With Danny, they're all known as the "Kings of Mongrel Folk," an apt name given the mile-wide smiles their old-timey agenda will surely bring about.--JK