Wednesday, Aug. 4
Dorkweed
The local pop group's latest is called Sometimes Animals Die (Shaky). With songs like "You Are Interesting," they come off something like a heavy-hitting They Might Be Giants. The tongue might be buried in its cheek, but the guitars aren't fucking around. Graceland, 8 p.m. $6
Chris Isaak
He channels the robust sadness that made Roy Orbison classics like "Crying" such towering masterpieces, but "Wicked Game"—the best thing Isaak's ever written, off 1989's Heart Shaped World—has such a delectable coolness about it that there's no mistaking his distinct, unforgettable voice. Pier 62/63, 1901 Alaskan Way, 206-628-0888, 7 p.m. $45
The Nemesis Theory
John Gillanders' lyric sheet reads like a self-help/survival manual for a particularly mortifying Philip K. Dick future. The Nemesis Theory frontman's snarled, verbose provocations add even more personality to a populist math-metal attack that lurches like a truncated Tool. The self-released Eschatology is a promising, bleak debut. Funhouse, 9:30 p.m. $5
Oneida + Chromatics + Die Monitr Batss
Brooklyn's Oneida, bringing Kraut-infected rumble rock, are joined by our favorite local now-wave two-piece, the Chromatics, and the Gossip spin-off screamers Die Monitr Batss. If you haven't seen the Chromatics lately, you haven't seen them at all. Hideaway, 9 p.m. $7
Steel Pulse
This British reggae conglomerate has been together nearly 30 years, and they've recently become one of the newest recipients of those Millennium Collection comps Tower et al. sell on the cheap. Both that CD and this show are well worth your attention. Moore Theatre, 8 p.m. $25
Thursday, Aug. 5
Soulfly
Now on his fourth album of jittery Brazilian thrash via Soulfly, ex–Sepultura leader Max Cavalera hasn't lost his knack for delivering sharp-elbow breakdowns with mortuary undercurrents. We can take or leave the rap-rocky, syncopated gibberish vocal digressions, but the compositions' unrestrained combativeness more than compensates. Graceland, 7 p.m. $20 adv.
Willpower
Will Schwartz from Imperial Teen goes solo-with-backing-band, and from all reports does a pretty great job—unsurprising, given his track record with I.T. is essentially flawless. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8
Friday, Aug. 6
Burning Brides
This Philly trio represents the rock and roll wing of the rock and roll party. Two points detracted for being knockout-hot, but their latest sludge-plowing Sabbath update Leave No Ashes (V2) sweats authenticity, at no time sounding like 21st century rawk kitsch. Local contemporaries the Catheters open. Graceland, 9 p.m. NC
The Corrs + Sophie B. Hawkins
The Corrs are the insanely beautiful Irish pop quartet whose 2000 hit "Breathless" Meadow Soprano danced to while doing her laundry during Season Three of The Sopranos. Hawkins, on the other hand, is the insanely beautiful American who sings "As I Lay Me Down," which Dawson and Joey danced to during Season Six of Dawson's Creek. Or was it Season Five? Chateau St. Michelle, 14111 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, 425-415-3300, 7 p.m. $40/$65
The Divorce
The Divorce yell and scream, so in that sense, they do resemble a divorce. But you can't dance to a divorce in the hot hot heat, as a sea of hipsters recently did at the Capitol Hill Block Party. The Divorce, like the Hill's other favorite power-pop outfit (the Lashes), inject a very welcome dose of melodic color into their brash rock explosions. Paradox Theatre, 1401 N.W. Leary Way, 8 p.m. $7
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness
Even before you get through the door, you've no doubt assumed that Austin's Chosen Darkness will not be plinking out silly love songs on toy keyboards. Their debut Emperor Jones EP (produced by Spoon's Britt Daniel) reveals that the love songs are as serious as a heart attack and as dour as the name—and, remarkably, incredibly dance-y too. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8
Alan Jackson
All knee-jerk Nashville hate stops at the tip of Jackson's boots. He's probably got the solidest catalog of the early-'90s breed, and 2003's Drive was one of the year's most acclaimed country albums. KeyArena, 7:30 p.m. $55/$65
Carole King
Pop-rock royalty, one of the first-ever 10-million sellers (with 1971's Tapestry), the maker of one of the best kids' records ever (1975's Really Rosie), and the melodist behind, oh, 20 kajillion of the best songs ever written. Material won't be a problem, then. Pier 62/63, 8 p.m. $63
Ian Moore + Stone Gossard + Steve Turner + Mark Pickerel
This should sell out in a blink, and that's a good thing for YouthCare; tonight's ex-grunger summit ironically doubles as a hygiene drive for underprivileged kids. Each individual is performing separately, but imagine a supergroup with blues man Moore, Screaming Trees drummer Pickerel, and the men who shaped Pearl Jam and Mudhoney's signature guitar burn. Maybe next time? Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $10
Sky Cries Mary
The reunion you've all been waiting for . . . sort of. One of the most popular Seattle bands of the early '90s, though not one of the best-aged—those records sound really dated now, and sort of did then, too. Fenix Underground, 8 p.m. $12JC Also Sat., Aug. 7
Wally Shoup Trio
Wally Shoup predicts his trio, this time featuring Mike Bisio on bass and Greg Campbell on drums, will bring out the "bloozey side" of their improved free-jazz for this foray into the somewhat unlikely U-District. You know what happens when experimental experts set out to really experiment, don't you? Scarlet Tree, 9:30 p.m.
