May 4-10, 2005
Wednesday, May 4
The Lucksmiths + Tullycraft + Math and Physics Club
SEE FEATURE, P. 53. Sunset Tavern, 8 p.m. $10
Moby + Buck 65
The former technoid's gone singer-songwriter on the new Hotel (V2); lousiness ensues. Happily, opener Buck 65 is a captivating performer whose records are also terrific. Sunset Tavern, 8 p.m. $10
Snow Patrol
The biggest shoegazer band in the world right now has its own fuzzily tuneful songs to play for you, but fans should also seek out The Trip Created by Snow Patrol (Fiction, U.K.), a two-CD mix co-directed by Freelance Hellraiser. Moore Theatre, 9 p.m. $18.50
Victor Wooten
The bass player from Bela Fleck's Flecktones heads out on a solo jaunt. Expect him to play very, very fast. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $22 adv./$25
Thursday, May 5
Crutches
Crutches are the New Mexicans re-formed under a new name and perspective, and it sounds like one that's maybe been through a near-death experience or something. Gone are the blatant smack talking and detached lyrics, but Crutches are still pissed at you, and they sure-as-shit should be. If you liked the New Mexicans, then you know this is at least one time it'll sound good to get berated. War Room, 9 p.m. $5
Roy Davis Jr.
One of the best house DJs and producers in the nation, native Chicagoan Davis relocated to Los Angeles a couple years ago, producing a couple of good albums, notably last year's Chicago Forever (Ubiquity). Trinity, 9 p.m. $15
Gang of Four + Radio 4 + Menomena
SEE SW THIS WEEK, P. 51. Showbox, 8 p.m. $25 adv./$28
Immortal Technique
Conspiracy-theory rap is fun! At least it is when this South America–born, New York–dwelling ex-con spills his political mind over grimy beats. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $12
Friday, May 6
Dead Science + Eluvium + Sun Vow + Bill Horist
The Dead Science always provide a captivating show; with Portland one-man-band Eluvium, local arty indie rockers Sun Vow (formerly Odessa), and noted improver Bill Horist, this one in particular is bound to be particularly fantastic. VERA Project, 7:30 p.m. $8/$7
Amy Ray
The Indigo Girl strikes out on her own yet again. The charmingly named Family Outing opens. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $14 adv./$16
Satoshi Tomiie + Eva
DJ Tomiie began his career in the late '80s with collaborations with Frankie Knuckles and has continued in a similar direction ever since—smooth, energetic house. Still, he ought to watch his back for Eva, who regularly steal shows from their headliners. Element, 9 p.m. $10/$12 after 11 p.m.
Sloan
Über-annoying Canada pop, so arch and cloying and irritatingly "catchy" they make Fountains of Wayne sound like the Misfits. The Minus 5 open. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $12
Rocky Votolato
Local singer/songwriter Rocky Votolato is a rare breed, especially considering his home base and the fact that he's not as old as your dad. While most of his peers communicate with angles and angst, Votolato seems gentle and breakable even when he raises his voice. Old Firehouse, 8 p.m. $6
Wolf Eyes
People keep saying that live these guys are like Iggy times 100 or something, but if the FBI had played Wolf Eyes records through the loudspeakers at Waco, David Koresh would have ordered one of his underage wives to fix up a batch of Jonestown punch instead of going out with all that shooting and fire. This is the sound black-metal bands would go for if they decided their entire genre was a parody of itself, and then went insane as a result. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $14
Saturday, May 7
Bright Eyes + the Faint + Her Space Holiday
SEE PREVIEW, P. 60. Showbox, 8 p.m. $25. Also Sunday, May 8
Mary Chapin Carpenter
The '90s country fave has been more pensive of late—see last year's Between Here and Gone (Columbia). But she's still got plenty of catalog to lure old fans in. Moore Theatre, 8 p.m. $28–$43.50
Perceptionists
SEE PREVIEW, P. 60. Chop Suey, 5:30 p.m. $12 adv. All ages
The Raveonettes
Here's a fun game: Take a gander at the price for this concert, featuring Scandinavian Jesus & Mary Chain obsessives the Raveonettes, and guess which radio station is sponsoring it! Autolux and the Peels open. Neumo's, 6 p.m. $10.77
Seattle Secret Music Showcase 2: The Kings of Mongrel Folk, Rebel Voices, Ricardo and the Dogmanauts
Consider this aural outsider art; the musicians on this bill are left of center and maybe underneath the radar, but their mostly folk-based styles deserve to be heard, and the Triple Door's regal stage will make up the difference. Tonight's show benefits the Homeless Youth Clinic in Wallingford. Triple Door, 8 p.m. $25
Monday, May 9
Keane
When this trio began playing around East Sussex, England, they played U2, Oasis, and Beatles songs. And they still do, except now they write those songs themselves. Paramount Theatre, 8 p.m. $26.50–$28.50
Monade
SEE PREVIEW, P. 60. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10 adv.
Tuesday, May 10
Better Than Ezra
Well, they are—not that any of us have ever heard Ezra, granted (we're not even sure if Ezra is a person or a group). Ingram Hill opens. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $18/$20
Thievery Corporation
Are we allowed to laugh at people under 50 wearing silk smoking jackets and playing lounge music again? Despite the obvious studiocraft that goes into that music, from gorgeously engineered snares to floating-in-amber production? Premier, 9 p.m. $30
