THURSDAY APRIL 2

CESAR ROSAS,BR5-49, DUKE DANIELS

(Showbox) On the heels of the recent Latin Playboys show (featuring Los Lobos' David Hidalgo and Louie Perez), fellow Los Lobos member Cesar Rosas arrives--in support of his debut solo album, a straight-ahead nod to his favorite soul and roots grooves. Even better, though, is BR5-49, Nashville-based alt-to-crap-country outfit fronted by singer/ guitarists Gary Bennett (from Cougar, WA) and Chuck Mead, one of the most charismatic purveyors of rocked-up Americana that you'll ever see. He first blinded me with mojo back in '89 (in his hometown of Lawrence, KS) with his previous band, the Homestead Grays, who deserve a plaque in the Bar Band Hall of Fame, right alongside BR5-49.--James Kirchmer

ELVIN JONES

(Jazz Alley, through Sun April 25) Jazz at its worst is a statement of social pretension and an excuse for grotesquely expensive speakers. Jazz at its best is music that reinvents the sound and purpose of an instrument, keeping that instrument in the forefront of music, saving it from the irrelevance that has doomed, say, the Appalachian dulcimer. While it may be hyperbolic to say that Elvin Jones has single-handedly rescued trap drums, it's no overstatement to put him in a group of two or three jazz drummers who have done just that. Long live the trap, which Elvin made into a rolling, living instrument by forcing notes into spaces they had never been before and creating previously unimaginable waves of sound. If my bootlicking idolatry strikes you as odd, let me just say that Elvin has earned it, and will earn it again at the Jazz Alley. --Nathan Thornburgh

METALHEADZ DOCUMENTARY PREVIEW

(ARO.space) U.K. label Metalheadz is old hat to drum 'n' bass old-timers, but it's still the most important label the genre's ever had. Founded in 1994 by Goldie, its roster provides a who's who of jungle's big players. Want proof? Catch this preview of Metalheadz' documentary, peppered with appearances by Grooverider, Dillinja, and the gold one himself. It's a perfect induction for newbies, and a safe way for devotees to brush up on their jungle know-how. Following the screening, get down to the Asian-tinged drum 'n' bass of Badmarsh & Shri.--Courtney Reimer

ONE NUT STAND

(700 Club, also Mon April 26) Da nut in question is Lonnie "Meganut" Marshall, bassist for L.A.-based funksters Weapon of Choice. He's relentless--à la George Clinton, who hired him recently for some live and studio work. The revolving mob of funky Seattle-ites accompanying him should include Davey C. and Thaddeus Turner (Balthazar), and Tim Young (Zony Mash, Dyslexica). Lonnie ain't a funk god, but he knows how to host a P-funk-styled party, as the good vibe makes up for the occasional lapses. If ya wanna start the weekend early (or keep it going, as the stand continues on Monday)--you're in good hands.--JK

FRIDAY APRIL 23

R.L. BURNSIDE, BOB LOG III, THE DIRTY BIRDS

(Showbox) See Calendar Box, p. 77.

HELIOS CREED, THE RAPTURE, HEAVY JOHNSON TRIO

(Breakroom) Space cowboy Helios Creed pioneered what would come to be known as cyber-punk in his 1970s group Chrome, and continues to fuck with listeners' heads with his solo work, most notably his 1998 Man's Ruin release Activated Condition. An infinitely tweaked and distorted, yet highly listenable foray into territories only Creed knows the routes to. --Kathleen Wilson

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

(ARO.space) It's hard to talk about Rufus Wainwright without coming off as hyperbolic. The swoonworthiest performer to come along since Jeff Buckley, Wainwright has the voice of an angel, cheekbones to match, and the self-effacing charm to pull it all off. And the songs? His self-titled album manages to swing from sly cabaret to heartbreaking yearning. He's the rare bird who can get under your skin and cause your heart to ache one minute, then induce a fit of giggles the next. A world-class performer--and a real gem.--Barbara Mitchell

DAVE DOUGLAS QUARTET

(Nippon Kan Theater) This fantastic trumpeter doesn't think of himself as a "jazz" player. He recently referred to his latest record as "an attempt to make music, pure and simple," so it's not surprising that this legend- in-the-making has never recorded for a major label. His crafty compositions often transcend today's "jazz" cubbyholes, but they're highly accessible, and deserve a much wider audience. It's too bad the concepts "good" and "bad" mean nothing to corporations. If their demographically tailored products have you thinking jazz is dead, or if some Armani-suited bodybuilder has exposed you to the "smooth jazz" virus, Dave Douglas has definitely got what you need.--JK

SATURDAY APRIL 24

GARDENER, MIKE JOHNSON, JEN WOOD

(Breakroom) God bless the Connor Brothers of Screaming Trees/The Purple Outside/Solomon Grundy fame, the two rollingest siblings in rock. Gardener features Van Connor and Seaweed frontman Aaron Stauffer, playing what Stauffer calls "Shack Rock," whatever the fuck he means by that. But I saw Gardener play on L.A.'s Sunset Strip two weeks back, and if Shack Rock means good ol' regular rock, then I guess Aaron's a gen-u-ine phrase-coiner.--KW

NEW AMERICAN SHAME, GENERATOR, PARC BOYS

(Crocodile) If you like AC/DC, you'll love New American Shame, who shamelessly rip off the Aussies--although in a way that the kids (and the trend-capping record labels) will certainly find appealing. However, the old folks might find it all a little irritating, and should probably just opt to stay home and rediscover their AC/DC vinyl. Live, the band is definitely worth checking out once, though.--KW

MAN... OR ASTROMAN?, ZEN GUERILLA, THE ROCK*A*TEENS

(RKCNDY) We've all seen Man...or Astroman? So many times. And Zen Guerilla, too. But the Rock*A* Teens? If there was ever a reason to drag yourself down to the RKCNDY on a Saturday night, this is it. With reverb-soaked rockabilly love songs (three guitars, no bass), they manage to walk that slick tightrope of catchy songs with brains, something oh so rare these days.--Bradley Steinbacher

SUNDAY APRIL 25SAM PREKOP, AERIAL M, ARCHER PREWITT

(Breakroom) Sam Prekop is principal vocalist and songwriter for Chicago's the Sea and Cake, but his solo take is a lot less geeky (as in computer-geeky) and a lot more orchestral, however stripped-down it may be. City mate Aerial M spins crazy wingouts from funky guitar and danceable psychedelia. Coctails co-founder and Sea and Cake member Archer Prewitt does the sensitive guy solo thing in a pretty charming way, making him the quiet favorite--albeit arguably--in this indie rock extravaganza.--KW

MONDAY APRIL 26

BALTIC ROOM JAZZ JAM

(Baltic Room, every Monday) The Baltic Room's mission is confusing at times: they insist on hosting good music with musicians who are not ugly, and yet the Baltic Room has the worst sight lines of any club in Seattle. That is, unless you are among the first 25 people to arrive at the bar, you will be forced into some blind corner upstairs; or worse yet, made to sit at the bar and stare at the massively obstructive liquor display. Fortunately, the reinstated Jazz Jam is on a Monday, and the best part is earlier in the evening (before the amateurs join in), so you can actually get a seat with visual and aural access to the crew, which highlights drummer John Wicks and organist Joe Doria. What's more, there's no cover charge, and these musicians have the uncanny ability to smooth out whatever kinks you might have with their seamless club jazz.--NT

DODI, THE DELUSIONS

(Showbox) Two weeks back I caught the Delusions' opening set for Built to Spill during their two-night stand at L.A. rock institution the Roxy. Frankly, I was flamesoored--a mere few weeks of touring with the Boise trio had improved their set tenfold, taking the Delusions from a simply good Seattle band to a national contender. I spied the cast of HBO's Mr. Show in the audience rocking out to their set, as well as Rushmore's Johnathan Schwartzman... although the stars of the Northwest shone brightest of all.--KW

TUESDAY APRIL 27

TERENCE McKENNA, AMBIENT BRUNCH TOUR

(ARO.space) Like legions of trippers before him and many yet to come, Terence McKenna took drugs and found The Answer. Then he made it his mission to tell everyone about it. He's written several books on this "cause," which he has given the erudite-sounding title of "ethnobotany." Needless to say, McKenna's gained a lot of fans in the drug-soaked rave scene, and has also taken many followers of the late Timothy Leary under his wing. McKenna's latest project, a book called The Evolutionary Mind, continues to explore the role psychedelics have played in the development of society. Genius or whacked-out druggie? You decide, after seeing his multimedia-enhanced lecture here. Also on the bill are performances by Venezuelan/San Franciscan electronic duo Dogon, Vancouver, B.C.'s highly visual Perfume Tree, and Spool, a collaboration between San Francisco-based keyboardist DJ Jhno and Chicago-based guitarist John Ridenour. Also see Arts Lead, p. 47.--CR

WEDNESDAY APRIL 28

MEEHAN, SHIURBA, ROSENBERG, SPERRY

(Speakeasy) Perhaps you've read our stories on this all-ages cafe's run-ins with the Liquor Board--and are aware of the sad fact that May will mark the Speakeasy's last month of live music. Hopefully Other Sounds (the long-running improvised music series this show is part of) will find a suitable new home for its adventurous bookings, which often featuring out- of-towners and unique collaborations. Here we have the first-ever meeting between N.Y.C.-based drummer Sean Meehan and San Francisco-based guitarist John Shiurba. Moreover, Scott Rosenberg, another Bay-area provocateur (on reeds), will debut with local bassist Matthew Sperry, as this feisty foursome digs into some truly open-ended jams.--JK

OLIVIA TREMOR CONTROL, MUSIC TAPES

(Crocodile) See Live Preview, p. 61.

TRANS AM, PAN SONIC, MOCKET

(Breakroom) Thankfully a little more rockin' this time around, on the heels of 1998's Futureworld, Thrill Jockey's golden boys Trans Am make yet another swing through Seattle.--KW

UNDERWORLD

(Showbox) See Calendar Lead, p. 71.