July 20-26, 2005
Wednesday, July 20
Indigo Girls
They've just issued a rarities disc, and with their usual acuity and, um, imagination, it's titled Rarities. Maybe they'll play some of it, but they'll likely play plenty of hits, too—or instead. Sarah Bettens opens. Summer Nights at South Lake Union, 860 Terry Ave. N., 7 p.m. $36
The Malinks
We'd thought these local power-poppers (whose singer, Chris Lorraine, occasionally contributes reviews to SW) had parted company, but are happy to find them playing this show. Will there be more? Sleepy Workers, the Oswald Effect, and Double Bluff open. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $6
Mt. Eerie + Thanksgiving + Karl Blau
Don't call them indie, don't call them folk—don't even bother categorizing these dudes. With simple aesthetics and loads of imagination, they demonstrate how insular communities like Anacortes (Mt. Eerie's Phil Elverum, Blau) and Portland (Thanksgiving's Adrian Orange) can produce genuine talent you don't have to be "in the know" to appreciate. Old Firehouse, 16510 N.E. 79th St., Redmond, 425-556-2370, 8 p.m. Free
Waterson:Carthy
The folk field has comparatively few giants compared with the wider world of pop, but this two-families-in-one grouping is one of them. If you have any affinity for (extremely) old-fashioned song stylings and acoustic guitars, you'll be here. Karan Casey opens. Tractor Tavern, 8 p.m. $20
Thursday, July 21
Oleta Adams
The gospel-inflected R&B and jazz vocalist's new All the Love (Bedrock, U.K.) is her first pop album in five years. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $28.50 Also Fri., July 22–Sun., July 24
Weird War
Following the demise of the gospel/R&B shagfest that was D.C.'s the Make-Up, founding members Ian Svenonius and Michelle Mae formed Weird War, who were called Scene Creamers for a minute. Svenonius is a notorious frontman worth catching in any incarnation. Anna Oxygen and Emma Zunz also perform.VERA Project, 7:30 p.m. $9 ($8 w/club card)
Friday, July 22
Brendan Benson
The critically acclaimed Detroit singer-songwriter plays in support of his newest, charmingly titled The Alternative to Love (V2). Crystal Skulls open. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $12 adv.
Deep Dish
Who knows why they chose to call their new album George Is On (Thrive), but their generous, if predictable, DJ style is what'll pack in whatever's left of the dance massive here. Element, 8 p.m. $17 adv./$22
Issa Bagayogo
A Malian who got his start playing a six-string kamele n'goni, Bagayogo has issued three albums in the U.S., two of them for San Francisco's formally adventurous Six Degrees label, including last year's Tassoumakan. Naby Camara and Kane Mathis open; Jon Kertzer spins. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $12
The Knitters
Sometimes a one-off turns into something more, as when these X-folks went kinda-country 20 years ago. Now they've issued a belated follow-up to their 1985 debut, The Modern Sounds of the Knitters (Zoe). Hard Money Saints open. Showbox, 8 p.m. $17.50 adv./$20 Also in-store at Easy Street Records, 20 Mercer St., 206-691-3279, at 6 p.m. Free
Sufjan Stevens + Liz Janes
SEE FEATURE, P. 47. Triple Door, 8 p.m. $15
Saturday, July 23
Ann Wilson
The Heart vocalist goes solo for a benefit concert for the Windermere Foundation. Children of the Revolution open. Summer Nights at South Lake Union, 860 Terry Ave. N., 7:30 p.m. $33
Kinski + Master Musicians of Bukkake + Charming Snakes
SEE TALK TALK (CHARMING SNAKES), P. 54. Kinski's latest, Alpine Static (Sub Pop), bends and manipulates the band's favorite past and future experimenters, but it has some rare and uniquely tangible moments as well: A flute duels with a guitar, beats are swallowed like pills, and the fretboard is used as a skateboard. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8 Kinski also in-store at Easy Street Records, 20 Mercer St., 206-691-3279 at 6 p.m. FREE
KUBE Summer Jam: New Edition + Ciara + Nas + Bone Thugs-N-Harmony + Jon B + Pretty Ricky + Mike Jones + Brooke Valentine
Though plenty of this bill is negligible (unless you actually called Mike Jones' cell, and who knows, maybe you did), there are a few folks worth your time here. From the top: Ciara's "Goodies" was one of the jams of '04; Nas is one of the top handful of MCs ever; and Brooke Valentine's new Chain Letter (Virgin) is one of the best R&B records we've heard all year. Gorge Amphitheatre, 754 Silica Rd. N.W., George, 206-628-0888, 2 p.m. $49.95
Nicolai Dunger + Jesse Sykes and Phil Wandscher + Tim Seely
A pretty fantastic singer-songwriter triple bill, with Swede headliner Dunger on his third U.S.-issued album, This Cloud Is Learning (Overcoat). Tractor Tavern, 9:30 p.m. $10
The Pale Pacific
More sad-eyed indie for lovers, dreamers, the intersection between the two, and folks who are suckers for pretty guitars—like us, sometimes. Mercir, Careen, and Tom Grant open. Paradox Theater, 1404 N.W. Leary Way, 8 p.m. $7
Sunday, July 24
Elliott Sharp
This avant-garde fixture has played just about every kind of free music imaginable, so hearing what he has to bring to the Gallery should be a treat. Gallery 1412, 8 p.m. $5–$15
Michelle Payne + John Magnifico
Both are singer-songwriters raised on a diet of punk and indie in the Deep South before migrating to L.A. (Payne) and Portland (Magnifico). Those familiar with Gainesville, Fla.'s No Idea roster (Hot Water Music, Against Me!) and its post-hardcore emo-folk may remember Magnifico's late, great band Twelve Hour Turn. Mr. Spot's Chai House, 8 p.m. FREE
Mutant Dinner Party Doo Wop: Diatric Puds + Climax Golden Twins + The Sea Donkeys + The Blobettes
We're told Diatric Puds and the Blobettes are from San Francisco, where they've invented and mastered a genre you might call monster doo-wop, which is (duh) influenced by B movies and gore flicks. Sea Donkeys are set to release their first record on the Sun City Girls' Abduction label. Rendezvous, 9:30 p.m. $5
Team Sleep
Hard rock make-out music? You bet. A side project between Deftones' Chino Moreno and guitarist Tom Wilkinson, their initial sessions with Seattle producer Terry Date were leaked to the Internet four years ago, repackaged with help from members of Hella, Helium, and Pinback's Rob Crow (!), and finally released this year, picking up where White Pony's steamy intensity left off. Idiot Pilot and Scene Index open. El Corazon, 8 p.m. $12 adv./15
Monday, July 25
Hieroglyphics + Non Phixion + O.C. + Boom Bap Project
The Oakland-based Hieroglyphics collective includes Del the Funky Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Casual, and Pep Love, who took five years to follow up their excellent 1998 debut, Third Eye Vision. With one-time Matador rappers Non Phixion and local favs Boom Bap, let them up you on how they just chill.Showbox, 8 p.m. $18 adv./20
Peppermints
On Paw Tracks (the Animal Collective label), Peppermints are a San Diego thrash-pop outfit who deal in Melt Banana–ish funk and nonsense-core. Their newest is titled Jesüs Chryst. With Thieves and headliner King Cobra. Funhouse, 9:30 p.m. $5
Ruins Alone + Yoshida/Horist/Mowen Trio + Degenerate Art Ensemble + Bill Horist + Girth
For the sharpest intersection between heavy and out, look no further than this bill. The Seattleites tying up the middle of the bill are local favorites for a reason, but we especially like openers Girth, a heavy, nimble two-piece that can roar and negotiate tricky time signatures better than most bands who only concentrate on one of those things. The headliners are from Japan and have a fervent following in the States; seeing them in action should be (even) better than the records. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10
Tuesday, July 26
The Pernice Brothers + Royal Gun + the Can't See
SEE AMERICA, U.S.A., P. 49. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $12
Pyramids (members of the Lights, Factums) + Wolf Cougar (Lights) + Honey for the Bears
In this installment of My Other Band Is a . . . , your best bet is the Pyramids, who are Seattle's Butthole Surfers—only with half the membership. Both psychedelic and sluggy, the two-piece's rumbling howls comprise some of the best sounds available around here, circa now. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $5
Shelby Lynne
Not often you get to see someone as famous as Lynne in a room this (comparatively) small, but given the intimacy of her last couple albums, it makes sense. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $30
Stanley Jordan
The renowned jazz guitarist's new, Web-only-so-far disc, Ragas, was recorded at Jazz Alley, so it was a natural that he'd stop by for a few days to play from it. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $7 Also Wed., July 27–Sun., July 31
UPCOMING SHOWS
July 27–28 Jane Bunnett & the Spirits of Havana, Triple Door
July 27 Bruce Hornsby, Woodland Park Zoo
July 27 Tears for Fears, Chateau Ste. Michelle
July 27–30 Creation Fest, Gorge Amphitheatre
July 28 Jesse Cook, Marymoor Park
July 30 Bob Dylan, Maryhill Winery
July 30 Mötley Crüe + Sum 41, White River Amphitheatre
July 30 Tim Kasher, Chop Suey
July 30 Mark Knopfler, Chateau Ste. Michelle
July 30 Femi Kuti, Showbox
July 30 Capitol Hill Block Party
July 31 Capitol Hill Block Party
July 31 Carbon Leaf, Woodland Park Zoo
July 31 Ben Harper + Trey Anastasio, Gorge Amphitheatre
Aug 2 Clint Black, South Lake Union Park
Aug 2 Soilent Green, Studio 7
Aug 3 Goldie, Chop Suey
Aug 3 Patty Griffin, Woodland Park Zoo
Aug 4 Nikka Costa, Chop Suey
Aug 4–7 Terence Blanchard, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley
Aug 5 Gipsy Kings, Chateau Ste. Michelle
Aug 6 Aimee Mann, South Lake Union Park
Aug 6 The White Stripes + Sleater-Kinney, Gorge Amphiteatre
Aug 7 Hugh Masakela, Triple Door
