May 11-17, 2005
Wednesday, May 11
LCD Soundsystem + M.I.A. + Diplo
SEE FEATURE, P. 47. Showbox, 8 p.m. $18.50 M.I.A. also at Sonic Boom Ballard, 2209 N.W. Market St., 206-297-2666, Thursday, May 12 at 7 p.m. Free
Thursday, May 12
Audioslave
Going by the new single, Rage Against the Soundgarden haven't picked up too much in the way of conceptual or sonic tricks in the two-and-a-half years since their debut, but no one ever said they were out to do anything but rock. That they do. Paramount Theatre, 8 p.m. $33.50
Bobby McFerrin
The vari-throated jazz singer and fluke late-'80s hitmaker can be a little too cutesy at times, but he's a genial presence in concert. Moore Theatre, 7:30 p.m. $30–$50
Melt-Banana
Japanese band sets guitars on stun, then on liquefy—nothing too new there, but Melt-Banana do it better than most. Their name will describe your brain if you stand too close to the amps. Das Oath and Book of Black Earth open. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $10
Zion I
Before indie-rap became a cottage industry, Zion I was rhyming and making beats his way for a small, appreciative audience. He still does, and if you like hip-hop at all, you should be in that audience. Heiroglyphics member Opio, H Bomb, and DJ Sabzi open. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $10
Friday, May 13
Bad Boy Bill
Not evil, but not good-bad, either, Triple B is one of Chicago's most popular and reliable DJs, spinning not-terribly-interesting but über-populist house intended to get the party jumping. He succeeds, usually, but you may find yourself not caring faster than you'd hope. Element, 9 p.m. $10/$15 after 11 p.m.
The Books
Indie rock's favorite audio collagists who aren't outright dance producers have two new releases: Lost and Safe, out on Tomlab last month, and a new remix disc collaboration with Prefuse 73, who oddly enough follows them into this venue on Tuesday. Coincidence? Mia Doi Todd and the Lone Ranger open. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10
Derrick Carter
SEE SW THIS WEEK, P. 45. Trinity, Midnight. $20
The Epoxies + the Spits
If a girl/guy you're into but not sure about invites you to see the Epoxies live, just go with it. Cause even if you're the type who's put off by the outfit's blatant pilfering of 1980s aesthetics, a few songs (and probably a few drinks) will vanquish any lingering doubts. Be an adult and admit it, and tonight may be your favorite story to tell the grandkids. If not, at least you got to see the Spits again. Catwalk, 9 p.m. $10/$12
The Fall-Outs
Consistently sited as the definitive old-school garage rock act in town yet chronically underappreciated by the masses, the Fall-Outs are perfect rock heroes. Never too big for their britches nor too overly loud and brassy, the three-piece blend pop tones with garage guitars to sheer perfection. Funhouse, 9:30 p.m. $6
Shins + the Brunettes
With "New Slang," the Shins composed what will be one of the finest ballads of this decade, and then they tarnished it forever by selling it to McDonald's for a television commercial. Conversely, they (only sort of) redeemed themselves by pushing/subsequently touring with the Brunettes, whose music is a damned accurate metaphor for the we're-in-love-and-don't-care-what-you-think-of-it set. Bank of America Arena (University of Washington), 8 p.m. $22
Saturday, May 14
A Frames
A Frames' repetitious grooves affect the mind and body not unlike exposure to radioactive material. At first contact you don't really notice much, but upon repeated exposure the sound impregnates itself in your brain and refuses to leave. Unlike radioactivity exposure though, the end result here is a good thing. Funhouse, 9:30 p.m. $6
The Ponys + Gris Gris + Charming Snakes + Plastic Crimewave Sound
SEE FEATURE, P. 50. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $10
Sunday, May 15
Ivy
This New York trio, including Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, French-born vocalist Dominique Durand, and Adam Chase, made one of the greatest indie-pop records of all time with 1997's Apartment Life. Even if everything they'd done since then (including the new In the Clear) had sucked, this would be worth seeing; happily, it hasn't. Robbers on High Street and Astaire open. Crocodile Cafe, 7 p.m. $15
The Strawbs
This half-forgotten British prog-psych band, most famous as an incubator for flatulent keyboardist Rick Wakeman, has been touring plenty for years in England, but they seldom make it to these shores. If you dig chops and whimsy all mixed together, this one's for you. Tractor Tavern, 8 p.m. $20 adv./$22
Monday, May 16
Lenny Kravitz
What's red all over? Lenny Kravitz on the cover of his last album. What's not really all that much fun to listen to? Lenny Kravitz on his last album. The one before it, either. Paramount Theatre, 8 p.m. $37-$47
Six Organs Of Admittance, Climax Golden Twins, Sir Richard Bishop
Considering Six Organs' hauntingly psychedelic finger picking and the Climax Golden Twins shift of late to an increasingly folk-infected yet still stirringly modern sound, you should definitely expect great things from the commingling of acts on this bill. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $8
Tuesday, May 17
Mike Doughty
The former Soul Coughing frontman's debut's been in the works so long you'd think the inveterate smart-aleck would've have titled it Chinese Democracy, but the name of the new Haughty Melodic describes its contents just fine—except Doughty's a pretty personable guy. Not to mention a fine performer. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $13 adv./$15
Prefuse 73 + Battles + Beans + Suspence
SEE ONE PIECE AT A TIME, P. 56. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $12
Wild Magnolias
Not quite a band, not exactly a "collective," but one of the prizes of New Orleans nevertheless, the Wild Magnolias have, over three albums, captured more of what makes N.O. its own febrile self on disc than damn near anyone. We'll guess they can do it live, too. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $20.50–$22.50
