Aug. 24-30, 2005
Wednesday, August 24
Felicia Loud + Piece + Osirika + Kylea + Choklate
"Dedicated to the Ladies" is the title of this showcase for five of the city's most intriguing female R&B-and-beyond talents—a good one-stop for the faithful and the curious alike. War Room, 8 p.m. $7
Filles de Kilimanjaro: Dave Carter/Tim Wilcox/Dan Goble/Steve Moore/Willie Blair/Eric Eagle
Exactly what it looks like: Six musicians re-create (probably in more ways than one, given 1412's adamantly experimental bent) the music from Miles Davis' 1968 album, one of his finest and most overlooked, coming as it did between his classic '60s quintet and the rock-fusions of the '70s—which makes it ripe for revision. Gallery 1412, 10 p.m. $5–$15
John Mellencamp + John Fogerty
Neither co-headliner has recorded an interesting note in decades, but when they've got as many classics behind them as either/both does/do, it's hard to begrudge them—especially since they could've done this trek alone and for a lot more money than they're charging. Stoll Vaughn opens. White River Amphitheatre, 40601 Auburn Enumclaw Rd., 206-628-0888, 6 p.m. $24–$75
Los Lobos
They haven't made a really good album in a decade (unless you count 1999's Dose, the second album from David Hidalgo and Louie Perez's side band, Latin Playboys), but this East L.A. dance band still has an amazing catalog and can tear it up live. Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., 206-615-0076, 5 p.m. Sold out
Sunburned Hand of the Man + Magik Markers + Ghidra + Dynamite Club
Think of this as the thinking stoner's psychedelic showcase. Catch primitive grooves, free jazz freak-outs, and outré jams in four forms tonight (our favorites being Hand of Man's East Coast tie-dyed slams; the locally grown Ghidra, aka Bill Horist, Wally Shoup, and Mike Peterson; and Magik Markers, SEE CD REVIEW P. TK). Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $8
Z Trip
A great live and mixtape DJ (his Uneasy Listening CD, with DJ P, was one of the best shots in the early-decade mash-up bubble), Z Trip has unfortunately gone all middlebrow on his new Shifting Gears (Hollywood), a dull album that tries too hard to "be serious" or some crap like that. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $15 adv.
Thursday, August 25
Elephant Man
SEE ARTS PICKS, P. 41. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $20
Tea for Julie
This Portland quartet is great live—which speaks as much to their soaring, emotional alt-rock (a little U2 here, a bit of early Radiohead there) as their confident-not-cocky stage presence. With Derby, Village Green, and Cabinessence. Crocodile Cafe, 8 p.m. $6
Velella Velella (CD release)
Think Stereolab with flute loops and breakbeats, or Standards-era Tortoise with a veil of hookah-lounge sensuality, and you've almost got a feel for this local duo's pretty damn unique experiments in funk. Pick up a copy of The Bay of Biscay when they play with the Stares and T.W. Walsh. High Dive, 9 p.m. $5
Friday, August 26
Ben Folds + Rufus Wainwright + Ben Lee
The next-to-last stop on the Odd Men Out tour before Folds heads to Japan, Wainwright to Spain, and Lee home to Oz, enjoy your own mini-vacation with some crooning (and mild rocking) at the vineyard. Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, 14111 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, 425-415-3300. 7 p.m., $29.50–$49.50
John Legend
Name-dropped no less than five times (by different people) in the latest Interview, this sensational Kanye West protégé makes old-school R&B that's like being felt up in the back pew, his album Get Lifted more Marvin Gaye than Mario. Moore Theatre, 8 p.m. $25–$30
Layne Staley Tribute: Out From Underneath + Buzz Factor + Revolve + Fear Itself
Fittingly, the proceeds of this collection of obscure-ish hard rock bands will benefit heroin recovery programs. Showbox, 7 p.m. $20
(smog)
With well-placed hammered dulcimers, Joanna Newsom on piano, and Callahan doing "In the Pines," A River Ain't Too Much To Love (Drag City) is probably the best thing (smog) have ever recorded. It's likely that live, the songs will slay you. With the Heavenly States and J. Tillman. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $10
U.S.E. + the Catch
Two great summer-album bands that double as two great live bands that double as bands featuring Carly Nicklaus' singing, together at last, albeit all the way out in Redmond. Old Firehouse, 16510 N.E. 79th St., 425-556-2370, 8 p.m. $8
Saturday, August 27
Fruit Bats (CD release)
Principal Fruits Bats songwriter Eric Johnson once played with the unconventional folk outfit Califone, and it shows on the otherwise Shins-similar Spelled in Bones, which is full of bittersweet beauty. Dolour, Lillydale, and Ghost Stories also perform. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $7
James Taylor
The pope of '70s mellow returns once again to shower the people with his songbook. Gorge Amphitheatre, 754 Silica Rd. N.W., George, 206-628-0888, 7 p.m. $40.45–$61.45
Larry Coryell Trio
The Trio is rounded out by Lenny White and Victor Bailey, so expect plenty of virtuosity from fusion-legend guitarist Coryell, with plenty more backing him up. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $20 adv./$25 Also Sun., Aug. 28
Shellac
First Slint comes to town, now this! Shellac's Steve Albini may be equally known for producing In Utero, forming the incendiary Big Black and for Shellac's influence on legions of math-rockers. It's a rare chance to see the band, who hasn't broken up but tours like it. VERA Project, 7:30 p.m. $10 Also Sun., Aug. 28
Slender Means
The local indie pop-rock favorites' first album, Neon & Ruin, reached stores on Tuesday, and the band celebrates tonight with Crystal Skulls and the Seaworthies opening. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8 adv. Also at Sonic Boom Ballard, 2209 N.W. Market St., 206-297-2666, 3 p.m. Free
Sunday, August 28
Alien Crime Syndicate + Top Heavy Crush + the Oswald Effect + Via Ventura
Downtown recording studio Orbit Audio throws a band appreciation barbecue, and you get to see these local rockers (and 11 more) for the price of one cocktail. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon. El Corazon, 3:30 p.m. $5
Brian Wilson
If SMiLE wasn't quite a miracle from God, it was certainly a fantastic album, moving and goofy in equal measure, and its live renditions have been said to match it—certainly the much-traded MP3 of the London premiere was. And the band has had over a year's worth of rehearsal to hone it further. Paramount Theatre, 8 p.m. $43.50–$63
Gabby La La
Friends don't let friends listen to arch, precious, twee crap like sitar-playing singer Gabby La La's all-too-appropriately-titled Be Careful What You Wish For . . . (Prawn Song). Particle headline. Crocodile Cafe, 7:30 p.m. $15 adv./$17. All ages
Johanna Kunin + Karl Blau
Karl Blau, friend of K Records and maker of organic songs that cannot easily be classified, joins Midwest native Johanna Kunin who is best described as a singer/songwriter in a time warp. Think Joni Mitchell times Beth Orton divided by peaceful empty spaces. With Eli Moore and tiny vipers. Gallery 1412, 8 p.m. $5
Neko Case + Laura Veirs
SEE TALK TALK, P. 46 (VEIRS). Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., 206-615-0076, 5 p.m. $16
UPCOMING SHOWS
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 Christopher Cross, Jazzbones
Sept 3 Bill Engvall, Tulalip Amphitheatre
Sept 4 Crosby, Stills & Nash, Maryhill Amphitheatre
Sept 8 Tori Amos, Chateau Ste. Michelle
Sept 9 Sigur Ròs, Paramount
Sept 9 Destiny's Child + Mario + Amerie, KeyArena
Sept 9 Oasis + Jet + Kasabian, Everett Events Center
Sept 10 Keith Urban, Gorge Amphitheatre
Sept 12 Maximo Park + the Bravery, Showbox
Sept 14 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + Mark Gardner, Neumo's
Sept 16 The Black Keys, Neumo's
Sept 16 Overkill, Studio 7
Sept 16 Royksopp + Annie, Showbox
Sept 17 Antony and the Johnsons + CocoRosie, Triple Door
Sept 17 Stellastarr*, Chop Suey
Sept 17 Styx + REO Speedwagon, Gorge Amphitheatre
Sept 17-18 Dead Can Dance, Paramount Theatre
