Bumberblast

The critics pick 'em, you see 'em. Everyone wins!

FRIDAY

YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

HIP HOP 101 With Mos Def and Jurassic 5, you shouldn’t miss it. But Mos Def just might; he bailed on last year’s Bumbershoot appearance and the reschedule that followed. If he does make it, though, the Black Star teammate and Black on Both Sides solo artist is a thing to behold; hip-hop’s current poet laureate preaches with the real, eloquent, and honest voice of the underground. Jurassic 5’s Cooleyhigh harmony vocals and laid-back So-Cal rhythms, meanwhile, bring the genre to a new level of chill. Real Mainstage, 6-10:45 p.m. L.G.

BLOODHAG Edu-core: This is the definition of high concept and should be welcomed unconditionally into our hearts and minds. For the uninitiated, Bloodhag condense biographies of noted science fiction visionaries into crushing metal supernovas. And they very appropriately sport short-sleeved white dress shirts and ties onstage. After this brain-inflating set, check out their Web site (www.bloodhag.com) and fall in love again with the bibliographies that made midnight at the university library such a blast. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 7:30-8:15 p.m. A.B.

DAVID CROSS & FRIENDS I know, I know—this is supposed to be the section for music recommendations, but David Cross’ show just might be the best thing going on Friday. Cross’ comedic credentials have been well established by his work on Mr. Show and The Ben Stiller Show and his memorable cameos in Ghost World and Waiting for Guffman among others, but I’d go see him even if I’d only seen a picture of the guy. He just looks like he’s funny. That impish grin is impossible to resist and offers a telling preview of the zany antics hiding behind his smile. Comedy Stage, 10-11 p.m. Also, Comedy Stage, 3-4 p.m. Sat., 7:30-8:30 p.m. Sun., 4:30-5:30 p.m. Mon. P.F.

YOU CAN’T LOSE WITH

SUPERKALI We’ve said it before: Their instrumental Afrobeat funky stuff is tailor-made for mid-afternoon Bumbershoot crowds who just want something to shake it to while barefoot on the grass after the phad Thai and strawberry shortcake have settled. Funky Kingston Rhythm Stage, 2:15-3:30 p.m. L.G.

DAMIEN JURADO What intrigues us most about Damien Jurado’s shows are the conspicuous number of old punks standing around nodding their heads to his affecting laments. As crossover artistry goes, few are able to simultaneously pull off Fugazi/Fall punk and woeful guitar strummer. Fact is, Jurado’s a champ at telling a tale, and whether he chooses to do so over urban acoustic folk or loud dirges, the result is always affecting. PCC Northwest Court Stage, 6-7:15 p.m. L.L.

DUSTY 45’S Having built a pretty solid following around their ability to deliver a rabble-rousing good time and some kick-ass swingabilly, these local rockers should have a rowdy pack of bopsters shaking their bobby-socked butts. Northwest Airlines Blues Stage, 7:15-8:30 p.m. L.L.

ZEKE These amphetamine punks slap a much-needed coat of idiocy and psychosis on this largely low-key hoedown. Average Zeke song: A little bit of thrash, a little bit of speed metal, and a little bit of ’80s hardcore all get piss drunk, crash into one another, then topple over and die. When they don’t stop to tune—and I assure you, there’s really no reason to—Zeke can conceivably crank out 30 songs per set. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 8:45-9:45 p.m. A.B.

SUPERSUCKERS A good goddamn time for anyone with a warm spot in their heart for punk, pop, country, garage, or the absurd. Yes, the Supersuckers cover some serious bases, but they do it without skimping. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 10:15-11:15 p.m. L.L.

 

SATURDAY

YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

LORETTA LYNN See feature.

LOW They float from Nearly Bursting to Barely Audible like the two points are nearby neighbors on a compass. And really, in the context of a song such as “Like a Forest,” it seems they truly are. The Minnesota trio evokes a heavy-hearted ache that should resound wonderfully within the acoustically sublime walls of the Opera House. Opera House, noon-2:45 p.m. (doors open at 11:15 a.m.). L.L.

KEN STRINGFELLOW He made his fame in the Posies and kept it by playing with the Saltine, Big Star, Minus 5, and R.E.M. Check his recent Touched (especially the single “Reveal Love” and the AM pop warmth of “The Lover’s Hymn”) for gentle, rainy day comfort. Northwest Court Stage, 4:30-5:30 p.m. L.L.

BUILT TO SPILL Hard to imagine that there’s anyone in Seattle who hasn’t been a party to Martsch and company’s stellar song stylings. Be it their early, coy, and lamenting love pop; the poetry-ridden, Crazyhorse-inspired rock of the first couple Warner Bros. releases; or the return to warm, guitar-saturated indie rock felt on the latest release, Ancient Melodies of the Future, Built to Spill’s shows, songs, and structures hold one of their very own truths to be self-evident: There really is nothing wrong with love. DMX MUSIC Boombox, 4:45-6 p.m. L.L.

KINSKI One of the best-selling bands in town, Kinski creates space inside guitar noise and spirals the fuzz into oblivion. This show is a must for fans of My Bloody Valentine, Spaceman 3, Mercury Rev, or anyone who has ever gazed lovingly at their shoes. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 7:30-8:15 p.m. L.L.

THE BRIEFS See feature, page 52. They’ve got a mighty arsenal of catchy songs, they dress damn sharp, and they look like they’re enjoying themselves onstage. There isn’t much else to say about the Briefs, and that’s one of reasons they’re so easy to love. Briefs=FUN. Enjoy. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 8:45-9:45 p.m. P.F.

YOU CAN’T LOSE WITH

THE ACTUAL TIGERS Homegrown Americana roots rock. CMJ magazine recently compared the band to Wilco, Gomez, and Pavement. Real Mainstage, noon-1 p.m. L.L.

NINA HYNES Dublin native Hynes could be paired up with the Sugarcubes, the Sundays, or Portishead and she’d definitely be able to hold her own. Radio listeners all over town have fallen in love with her recent Creation. Maybe you will, too. Northwest Court Stage, noon-1 p.m. L.L.

STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS Speaking of Pavement, figurehead Malkmus and his newly assembled crew purvey a streamlined, cleaned-up version of the indie pioneer’s unrooted ramblings and jangly guitar pop. One warning: Anyone adverse to the likes of Yoko Ono should probably stay away; Malkmus’ girlfriend generally joins him onstage for freakish tambourine solos and confusing duets. DMX MUSIC Boombox, 1:30-2:45 p.m. L.L.

WEEN Despite their many high points—”Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down)” from 1994’s Chocolate & Cheese and “Piss Up a Rope” from 12 Golden Country Greats (circa 1996)—you might never have felt quite right about blowing 18 bucks on these genre-coasting joke-rocker’s releases. Still, the band who taught Tenacious D all they know of mocking the rock should be as entertaining as all get-out in a live performance, and if you don’t think so, you can move on with no money down. DMX MUSIC Boombox, 8-10 p.m. L.G.

CARISSA’S WIERD See feature, page 52. If, on the other hand, you’re not looking to laugh, five-piece locals Carissa’s Wierd channel a bone-aching melancholy that hurts so good it’s nearly impossible to describe. Always averse to big, rowdy crowds, CW may not be ideally suited to the festival, but if you still haven’t seen them, hedge your bets and try tonight. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 10:15-11:15 p.m. L.G.

YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED BY

CAT POWER We’ve heard stories of Chan Marshall actually playing an entire set of her manic-yet-graceful songs onstage, treating audiences to more than two and a half chords and projecting her impossibly ethereal vocal strains out over the noise of hopeful hipsters. But we’ve only heard stories. Which, we suppose, is why we keep going to see her play: To hear just one full set of her songs would make all the stops and starts, all the horribly self-conscious half-steps that we’ve sat through, well worth it. Opera House, 12:15-2:45 p.m. (doors open at 11:15 a.m.). L.L.

DAMON & NAOMI If you can handle a little more woe and heartache after the Cat Power/Low show, head straight over to the Northwest Court Stage for Damon & Naomi. The duo—which was formerly Galaxie 500’s rhythm section—specializes in haunted folk-inflected pop with a literary bent and should be very welcome by those most aggrieved by the deluge of elephant ear-chomping vulgarians that will descend on the Seattle Center. Damon & Naomi’s remarkably expansive sound will be further complemented by Ghost guitarist Kurihara. Northwest Court Stage, 3-4 p.m. P.F.

RED ELVISES Anyone who used to frequent the Fenix (stupid, goddamn, act-of-God earthquake . . .) knows Red Elvises’ gigantic triangular bass schtick. Yeah, they’re as cartoony as Cousin Balki, but the Siberians’ party tunes actually have teeth. Kind of. The banjo on their new cut “Sex in Paradise” elicits fond memories of the extraordinary artistry of Kermit the Frog. Regardless, when the boys command, “Everybody disco, like boys in San Francisco,” you’d be well advised to obey. Tesoro Bumbrella Stage, 5:15-6:30 p.m. A.B.

BLACK CROWES If Kate Hudson loves him so, there must be something to Chris Robinson’s Southern-fried, Stones-y retro rock, and watching his incredibly tense onstage relationship with brother Rich should be entertaining. Plus, the recently released Lions seems to have pulled them out of their critical slump of the late ’90s. Real Mainstage, 9-10:30 p.m. L.G.

SUNDAY

YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

PIECE OF SOL Literary, socially conscious spoken-word soul from Seattle’s innovative and insightful first ladies of hip-hop. If you haven’t heard wordsmith Piece’s lush vocal ramblings, you haven’t heard the re-rebirth of cool. She’s set to contribute to the Cool Panel on the Starbucks Literary Stage on Monday afternoon, if that gives you any idea about just what kind of authority she is. Tesoro Bumbrella Stage, noon-1 p.m. L.L.

DANIEL JOHNSTON Johnston’s mid-’90s shift to the majors (Atlantic) all but proves that it’s anyone’s game. His lo-fi, nearly nonsensical pop tunes (brassed out by snoozy vocals and saved by warm melodies) are far from what most suit-and-tie label types consider hit-worthy. But it’s that victory, however random and serendipitous, that makes Johnston such a hero to the music-loving masses. The list of those who love this Austin oddity—Jad Fair, Eddie Vedder, Yo La Tengo, and Mo Tucker, to name a few—is long and growing. Catch this show and add your name. PCC Northwest Court Stage, 3-4 p.m. L.L.

YOU CAN’T LOSE WITH

OLD 97’S These Texans wrangle rock, tone down twang, and pump up pop in a way that allows for both invention and inspiration. Their shows practically promise a good old-fashioned time for fans of Wilco, the Actual Tigers, Neil Young, the Byrds, and the Band. Northwest Airlines Blues Stage, 5-6:15 p.m. L.L.

HERBERT, MARK RAE These are some of the best artists on indie dance label Studio !K7’s roster. Mark Rae, one half of UK production team Rae & Christian, favors hip-hop, rare groove, and other dance-friendly tracks in his live sets rather than the more Sunday morning-ish grooves he lays down on record. Herbert, meanwhile, is electro’s latest darling; though always beloved for his idiosyncratic found-sound production, his recent Bodily Functions has caused critics to trip over themselves with spasms of adoration. Check it out and understand the hype. Flag Pavilion, 7:30-11 p.m. L.G.

REVEREND HORTON HEAT Lest we forget the simple pleasures of a bassist riding his stand-up like a mechanical bull while a twisted, balding preacher extols the virtues of drunken fornication, Reverend Horton Heat will gladly remind us. Their pun-heavy, knockdown rockabilly wears a bit thin after half an hour, but the stage show is so balls-out that even casual fans will feel comfortable getting down and dirty in sonic pomade. DMX MUSIC Boombox, 8:30-10 p.m. A.B.

DAVID LEE ROTH Stay for five minutes or stick it out the entire two hours—just don’t miss your chance to see Diamond Dave in geriatric action. Though reduced levels of hair, leg-split flexibility, and musicianship may be in evidence, the press promises that his recent sets have included pre-Van Hagar nuggets such as “Hot for Teacher,” “Panama,” and “Jump.” Need we say more? Real Mainstage, 9-11 p.m. L.G.

NEBULA Wake up from an early-evening, too-much-beer-garden-in-the-afternoon nap. Listen to something really loud and guitar riff-heavy from the late ’60s. Smoke a bowl. Get in your ’71 Camaro and drive to EMP. For the hell of it, listen to Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix. Park, smoke another bowl. You are sufficiently warmed up. Enjoy. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 10:15-11 p.m. L.L.

YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED BY

MXPX These young men are attractive in a traditional way and Christian, and they play the poppiest of pop-punk. Not three attributes you’d find in my band crush dossier, but their one big single, “Chick Magnet,” had a pretty fun doo-woppin’ outro that’s indicative of way more heart and chops than Blink 182’s many, many facsimiles. MxPx is generally the only representation of their ridiculously popular genre at Bumbershoot. Not too shabby, despite the pervading funk of commercialism. DMX MUSIC Boombox, 4-5:15 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.). A.B.

MONDAY

YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

TRACHTENBURG FAMILY SIDESHOW PLAYERS Ever seen a 7-year-old back up her dad on the drums? You should, and you can: Jason Trachtenburg brings together wistful vacation slides, smart songwriting, and his young daughter with wonderful results. Kendall-Jackson Music Hall, 3-4 p.m. L.L.

PINEHURST KIDS It shouldn’t be long before these charming Portland hit-makers get a very large audience to notice that, hey, they’re writing hits over here! (Especially since MTV2 recently picked up their new video.) Their newest, Bleed It Dry, stuffed with unpretentious high-concept pop and solid, driven efforts like “The Onceler” and “Rollover,” should only rock harder live. The Kids churn out tried-and-true tag-team guitars and vocals with just enough ‘tude to keep a smirk plastered on your bobbing head. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 5-5:45 p.m. A.B.

AVEO Two songs from this local band’s debut, Bridge to the Northern Lights, were included on a mix tape I made for a friend a few weeks ago. When I saw her next, she nearly pushed people out of the way to get to me and exclaimed, “One word: AVEO!” Aveo’s rich and dynamic sound garners tons of comparisons to the Smiths (see Morrissey’s intellect and Marr’s guitars) and a backlog of folks who followed those worthy pioneers, but the real catch is this: Aveo is wholly and spectacularly singular. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 7:30-8:15 p.m. L.L.

YOU CAN’T LOSE WITH

ROLLINS BAND Howard Stern may be King of All Media, but Henry Rollins is the dark prince clutching a dagger in the shadows. His ’90s makeover into all-purpose multimedia guy dilutes the fact that he’s a living hardcore legend. Hank’s at his most primal and pretense-free fronting Rollins Band, although ditching his solid gold Weight-era backing band for L.A. hacks Mother Superior was a huge misstep. Thankfully, the pain, the drawl, and the black shorts persist. DMX MUSIC Boombox, 1-2:15 p.m. A.B.

JON AUER His recent album of cover songs included tracks by Ween, Madonna, and Grant Hart. We’re not sure if he’ll pull out some of his own pop songs from the days of the Posies, or if he’ll stick with the covers schtick. PCC Northwest Court Stage, 2-3:15 p.m. L.L.

NAHA/SOFCON More local dance stuff, but both acts are unique for their own reason. DJ NAHA is one of the fiercest females in the city, playing crushing sets of hardcore with style, while Sofcon are (as far as we know) Seattle’s only white hip-hop duo, and though they veer towards parody occasionally, their shows are always fun and the beats are addictive. Flag Pavilion, 3-4:30 p.m. L.G.

TAJ MAHAL I’ve been following my big brother’s musical advice since I was 10 years old. And while that used to mean listening to David Bowie, Joan Jett, and the Clash, times have changed for both of us. I know he’s psyched for Taj Mahal’s show because the diversity of the instrumentation, the breadth of the influences, and the length of the jammy interludes just can’t be beat. Bring a blanket, have a seat, stay a while. And say hi to my brother for me if you see him. Real Mainstage, 4-5:15 p.m. L.L.

GUIDED BY VOICES Watching Guided by Voices without a beer in hand might seem inherently wrong, but at least ringleader Bob Pollard is a powerful intoxicant in and of himself. While many so-called indie bands accustomed to cozy clubs would perish on an arena stage, GBV’s supergroup predilections should be well served here. Expect the customary “Baba O’Riley” cover to be rendered all the more spectacular. DMX MUSIC Boombox, 7:45-10 p.m. P.F.

THE MAKERS If you’ve got the balls to name your album Rock Star God (Sub Pop), chances are you put on a damn good show. The Makers split no hairs about their tight-jeaned self-righteousness, but isn’t that what rock and roll is all about? BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 8:45-9:45 p.m. L.L.

TIGHT BROS FROM WAY BACK WHEN I wasn’t around when AC/DC had something to prove, but I’m sure Tight Bros’ Jared Warren could hold his own against Bon Scott in any screech-off. Course, these guys must be sick of the AC/DC comparisons, most of which are stretches anyway. Tight Bros perform their chainsaw tavern rock with as much abandon and as little proficiency as possible, which makes lines like “You keep a rockin’ till the brink of day!” pretty damn authentic. BumberClub at EMP’s Sky Church, 10:15-11:15 p.m. A.B.