Aug. 17-23, 2005
Wednesday, August 17
Cowboy Junkies
What a coincidence—this show will occur the day after the Junkies' new album, Early 21st Century Blues (Zoe) is released. It sounds like their other albums, pretty much, in case you wondered—which means that some folks will find it very seductive and others, very sedative. Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., 206-651-0076, 5 p.m. $19
Johnny Clegg
One of the first South African performers to go international, as much for his backstory (white countryman battles apartheid) as for the music itself, which tended toward the mild. He's easy enough to like, though, and is renowned for his energetic live show. Triple Door, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $30
Thursday, August 18
DJ Jeppe Laursen
Jeppe (pronounced "yep-puh") Laursen is the not-so-ambiguously gay half of Danish dance-pop duo Junior Senior, whose 2002 single "Move Your Feet" rocked countless dance floors. Following an early-evening Dandy Warhols CD release party, Laursen (along with DJs F.I.T.S. and Blue Blue Day) will get the real one started. War Room, 11 p.m. $8
Math and Physics Club
Fast becoming the most beloved twee-pop band in town, M&PC couldn't have picked a more appropriate place to, you know, show off their arty side. Cough, cough. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., 206-654-3100, 6 p.m. Free
Friday, August 19
BT
BT hasn't composed a trance song as gorgeous as "Godspeed" since 2000, when his overexuberant live show already had us gagging. But if the man's cheese, he's a cave-aged gruyère: nutty and slightly elegant, but common enough for the masses to love. He'll perform a "Laptop Symphony Remix" set with Eva and DJ Mb. Element, 9 p.m. $17 adv./$22
Dave Matthews Band + North Mississippi Allstars
Another year, another Gorge stand from the modestly superstarry headliners; this time, they brought along one of Matthews' signings to his ATO label to open. Given the NMSAS's predilection for getting loose, it's a good match. Gorge Amphitheatre, 754 Silica Rd. N.W., George, 4 p.m. $48–$60. Also Sat., Aug. 20–Sun. Aug. 21.
Gus Gus
Icelandic proprietors of sexy electro-soul take a break from crafting albums to DJ house, disco, and "other delights" at hot spots 'round the world. Lucky us. DJ Colby B also spins. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10
Ian McFeron Band
He's not always our cup of tea, but McFeron bears watching—his audience is growing steadily, he's got serious rapport with them, and his stuff is close enough stylistically to the megashow playing in George (see above) that folks who like the type but prefer cozy environs might want to check him out. Thomas Cunningham opens. Triple Door, 8 p.m. $10 adv./$12
Saturday, August 20
Charming Snakes + Gorch Foch + Tia Carrera
The Charming Snakes sound like Seattle (garage vibes with Sonic Youth appeal and some art thrown in on the side), but they're from Austin—as are their friends on this bill, who sound like their own homebase in that Keep-Austin-Weird sort of way. Butthole Surfers fans: This could be good. The Comet, 9 p.m. $5
Dinosaur Jr. + Love as Laughter + Alaska
SEE FEATURE, P. 49. Showbox, 8 p.m. $25 adv./$30
Eastlake Shake: Wesafari + Optimus Rhyme + Spanish for 100 + the Look + RA Scion + Pistol Star + Love Hotel + the Western States + Slender Means
This talent-packed free fest features hot up-and-comers Spanish for 100 and Wesafari, and a dose of hip-hop (Optimus Rhyme, RA Scion) that was oddly lacking at another recent neighborhood bash. Seward School/Rogers Playfield, 2500 Franklin Ave. E., Noon. Free
Engine Down + These Arms are Snakes
A friend once recently referred to TAAS as "karate emo," which is part of their splenetic appeal—last we saw, they moved around plenty, and they've got the music to do it to. Bella Lea and Des Ark (former Denali members) open. VERA Project, 7:30 p.m. $8 ($7 w/club card)
The Femurs
Sunday Night Blackout and the Dead People are headlining, but you won't regret skipping your pre-func for openers the Femurs. Light-hearted but literate and pop without being obnoxious, this duo is the closest thing Seattle's got to the Violent Femmes. Funhouse, 7 p.m. $5
Natasha Bedingfield (CD release)
The younger sister of relatively brisk Brit phenom Daniel, Natasha's got as much moxie and more hooks on her debut, Unwritten (Sony). She appears here as part of Girl4Girl, with DJ Ricki Leigh. Premier, 7 p.m. $10
The Makers (CD release) + the Minus 5
Good match between this pair of pop-rock local heroes, with the Makers celebrating the release of their new CD, Everybody Rise (Kill Rock Stars). Jeremy Wilson of Dharma Bums opens. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8 adv./$10
The Walkabouts
Catch everyone's favorite local gothic romantic folksters at everyone's favorite Georgetown Record store. About to embark on their European tour, the Walkabouts will be readying their touring set in this fantastically industrial-retro environment. With Jonah Cohen. Georgetown Records, 1201 S. Vale St., 7 p.m. Free
Sunday, August 21
Cass McCombs
Singer-songwriter McCombs' lazy drawl and somber moods evoke strange comparisons to Bob Dylan and Echo and the Bunnymen. Tonight he supports his 4AD full-length PREfection with Mt. Egypt and Casiotone for the Painfully Alone. Crocodile Cafe, 8 p.m. $8
Erin McKeown
One of the pithier, funnier young folkies out there, McKeown tours in support of her new We Will Become Like Birds (Nettwerk). Kris Delmhorst opens. Tractor Tavern, 8 p.m. $13 adv./$15
Monday, August 22
The New Pornographers
SEE TALK TALK, P. 53. Sonic Boom Ballard, 2209 N.W. Market St., 206-207-2666, 11 p.m. Free
Tuesday, August 23
Eddie Palmieri
SEE CD REVIEW, P. 60. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $22.50–$24.50
Rebecca Gates
The husky voice behind the defunct Spinanes, Gates played stripped-down selections from her Ruby Sessions at the same venue last summer, a performance it seems she'll unfortunately repeat just once yearly. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $8 adv./$10
Res + Choklate
It's been four years since the new-wavey R&B of How I Do introduced this Philadelphia singer, but despite a modest hit with "Golden Boys," she remains somewhat obscure. We haven't heard of anything new, but now that she's on the road let's hope there is something forthcoming. Choklate opens. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $12.50 adv. E
UPCOMING SHOWS
Aug 24 John Mellancamp + John Fogerty, White River Amphitheatre
Aug 24 Los Lobos, Woodland Park Zoo
Aug 25 Susan Tedeschi, South Lake Union Park
Aug 26 (smog), Neumo's
Aug 26 Ben Folds + Rufus Wainwright + Ben Lee, Chateau Ste. Michelle
Aug 26 Trio, South Lake Union Park
Aug 27 James Taylor, Gorge Amphitheatre
Aug 27 Tracy Byrd, Emerald Queen Casino
Aug 27 Galactic + the Consul, Showbox
Aug 27–28 Shellac + Scout Niblett, Neumo's
Aug 28 Brian Wilson, Paramount Theatre
Aug 28 Neko Case + Laura Veirs, Woodland Park Zoo
Aug 29 Pam & Mel Tillis, Evergreen State Fair
Aug 30 Blue Oyster Cult, Evergreen State Fair
Aug 31 Earth, Wind & Fire + Chicago, White River Amphitheatre
Aug 31 Taj Mahal Trio, Woodland Park Zoo
Sept 1 Fabio + Grooverider, Chop Suey
Sept 1 Pearl Jam, Gorge Amphitheatre
Sept 1 Tanya Tucker, Skagit Valley Casino
Sept 2–5 Bumbershoot, Seattle Center
Sept 2 The New Pornographers, Showbox
Sept 2 Crosby, Stills & Nash, Chateau Ste. Michelle
Sept 2–3 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers + Black Crowes, Gorge Amphitheatre
Sept 3 Bill Engvall, Tulalip Amphitheatre
Sept 4 Crosby, Stills & Nash, Maryhill Amphitheatre
Sept 8 Tori Amos, Chateau Ste. Michelle
