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Wednesday, Aug. 11
Giampino Family Fund
Former Showbox and current Triple Door employee Scott Giampino, his wife Ali, and their son Max were among the recent wave of arson victims late last week, leaving them, for the moment, homeless and without possessions. There will undoubtedly be benefits to come (and there was a small one last weekend), but a direct donation is recommended anytime. Monetary donations can be made to the Giampino Fund through Paypal (dmopbox-giampinofund@yahoo.com); monetary and other donations to Sonic Boom Records, 514 15th Ave. E., 206-568-2666, or the Showbox.
Steve Fisk
Listening to records like the breakbeat-bending 999 Levels of Undo (Sub Pop) from '01, it's hard to believe that without Steve Fisk grunge wouldn't have had a fighting chance. Hard to say what the producer, multi-instrumentalist, and experimenter has up his sleeve for this one—probably something between heady and visceral. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $5
Kekele
A Congolese rumba supergroup, including members of Franco's T.P.O.K. Jazz, the African All-Stars, and Les Quatres Etoiles, who mostly play acoustic, these guys groove like crazy, topped by Syran Mbenza's gorgeous guitar. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 8 p.m. $18.50–$60
They Might Be Giants
Once, at a college show, the Giants demanded that audience members form a conga line during "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)." The students demurred, prompting John Flansburgh to shout: "Everybody fucking conga!" And the band refused to keep playing until they did. The point is, TMBG are childlike and playful and dark and weird, all at once. And it's wonderful. Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., 206-615-0076, 5 p.m. $19
Thursday, Aug. 12
Bebop & Destruction
Popular consensus has it that the "Destruction" part, these days at least, is a bit of a stretch. The Seattle-based swing improvisers have Bebop down to a science, and watching them screw with that science is almost always a great time, just don't expect free-jazz annihilation. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., 206-654-3100, 5:30 p.m. Also Tue., Aug. 17 at Owl 'n' Thistle.
Charlie Hunter Trio
SEE CD REVIEW, P. 47. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. $20.50–$22.50. Also Fri., Aug. 13–Sun., Aug. 15.
Great White
Hmmm. Great White's playing a venue that had to be rebuilt from scratch after an earthquake demolished the original. Once bitten, twice not so shy, it seems. All proceeds from this ridiculous nostalgia-fest will go to families from the victims of the Rhode Island tragedy, as they damn well better. Fenix Underground, 8 p.m. $15/$18
Friday, Aug. 13
Bangs
Sarah Utter and her bar chord calisthenics are off to L.A., so this criminally underrated Olympia trio (with bassist Maggie Vail and a variety of drummers) will retire more or less unsung. Over two Kill Rock Stars albums and an EP, they evolved from shit-talking jukebox vixens to mindful, personal-is-political activists, all on the Ramones' perfect punk checkerboard. They'll be greatly missed. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $7
Biography of Ferns
With guidance from renowned production vet Jack Endino, the local trio skillfully alternates between upbeat, clangy, indie-pop staple food ("The Charmer") and just as accessible psychedelic meanderings ("Accidental Town") on exceptional EP, Memory's Servant (Tellous). Hints of Southern Culture on the Skids in the guitars, but only hints. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $7
Gatsby's American Dream
Until now, the local quintet has hopscotched between emo and more forward-thinking, adult manifestations like an ADD-afflicted, slier bookworm version of your Hot Topic–shopping little bro. Sounds like the kid's been listening to the Smiths. New EP In the Land of Lost Monsters (LLR) is a welcome departure into thoughtful, coy despair, simplifying Gatsby's jigsaw attack without dumbing it down. Graceland, 7 p.m. $8 adv.
Saturday, Aug. 14
Robert Cray + Buddy Guy
Lots of folks hate on Cray for being overly polite, but screw that—dude smokes on guitar and writes and picks pretty terrific songs, too. Guy is just nasty—see 2001's waaaay lowdown Sweet Tea for proof, as if any were necessary this long into his career. Pier 62/63, 1901 Alaskan Way, 206-628-0888, 7 p.m. $39
Enkrya
Not the easiest moniker to pronounce or spell, but maybe it's worth learning. According to their home page, Enkrya means "purification through music," but lest your Creepy Live/Fuel Retread-O-Meter hit red, know that the Seattle-based trio pounds out tasteful, hard-hitting sludge that would fit in nicely at any modern rock station. Studio Seven, 8:30 p.m. $7
Marah
SEE CD REVIEW, P. 47. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $10
Sebadoh
They have a license to confuse—for example, just sort of rising up out of nowhere after sort of just disappearing into the ether after 1999's The Sebadoh. Their shows have always been uneven, but by that album they were working it pretty damn well live, so what do you have to lose? Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $10 adv./$12
Slick Rick
Slick Rick the Ruler? Didn't he get deported? Well, hell, if he's back (and especially if he's doing "Teenage Love" and "La Di Da Di") that's reason to celebrate. Innovative, cool-handed, political-minded local rap duo Silent Lamb Project are among the openers. Premier, 8 p.m. $25
Sunday, Aug. 15
Art Alexakis
SEE FEATURE, P. 44. Mr. Everclear's tedious, well-documented infatuations with SoundScan sales and adult abandonment alternative are the past. His no-holds-barred, progressive, Portland-based "Black Jack" radio show is the present, and hopefully future. As for seeing him solo in the dubious "family concert" setting, know that the man can still rock pretty damn hard when so inclined. Science Fiction Museum, 325 Fifth Ave. N., 877-367-5483, 1 p.m. $5–$25
