Notable Shows

Wednesday, August 30

Oscar Peterson

One of the world's most renowned jazz pianists, Peterson played Carnegie Hall in 1949 and later recorded or performed with greats such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Charlie Parker. His work as part of a quartet has earned him his own rank as legend—if you love jazz, don't miss him during this rare engagement. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $80.50–$95.50 Also Thursday, August 31-Sunday, September 3

Pretty Girls Make Graves + The Trucks

"You think I wanna make out in that piece of shit car you drive, no way/When you can't even get it up into first, let alone get it up into my driveway," breathe the Trucks, a quartet from Bellingham who've been making sly appearances in cafes and the side stages of Sasquatch this summer. Dirty-mouthed Kristin Allen-Zito (also a solo acoustic performer) leads this promising pack of brash, bratty electro-rockers. Neumo's, 8 p.m. All ages

Thursday, August 31

Club Pop: the Catch + the Jetsons + DJ Curtis + DJ Colby B + DJ Paco

The last time we got our hair done up by Carly, the Catch's lead lady, she recommended the Fleet Foxes and Wallpaper as her favorite local bands to check out—but we'd like to recommend her own sass-tastic band, whose pop melodies and infectious energy should set the stage nicely for the rest of tonight's Club Pop. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $6 All ages

Friday, September 1

Scott H. Biram + Jimmy Flame and the Sexxy Boys + Betty Ford Falcons + Iceage Cobra

Pitchfork was cruel enough to compare Scott H. Biram's brand of ditch-dwelling country blues to a dead possum. Yowch! While the rugged Texan's music is certainly not as purty and bouncy as your average mop-headed indie pop, roadkill is a bit extreme. The last time we saw Biram, he was spittin' and hollerin' in the back room of pre-shark-tank Hattie's Hat, pounding his way through a variety of originals and old-timey covers. For anyone unfamiliar with his foot-stomping roots music, the easiest references would be Hasil Adkins, R.L. Burnside, and Hank Williams III. As his albums aptly state, he's a dirty ol' one man band. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $8

The Dead Science + Na + Palisades + M'Chateau + Bumblebee

The prolific improv trio Na was founded by friends Kazu Nomura, Noriaki Watanabe, and Shinsuke Yamada, and tonight's performance is Yamada's farewell show. Sultry jazz-experimentalist rockers the Dead Science, Olympia's Palisades, and skilled mixmasters M'château and Bumblebee add their unique voices to a going-away that's also a community celebration. Lo Fi, 9 p.m. $6

John Lennon Jam

Last year's edition of this tribute went over well, so if you still can't get enough of the dearly departed Beatle, here's two encore performances featuring Yes drummer Alan White with members of the Beatniks, Hit Explosion, and Herding Cats. Seattle Public Theatre, 7312 W. Greenlake Dr. N., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $15 adv./$20

M. Ward + Mike Coykendall

SEE FEATURE [M. Ward]. P. 41. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $12 adv./$14 All ages

Nick Warren

Discussing his hobbies with an interviewer in the liner notes of his gorgeous Reykjavik mix for Global Underground, Warren is asked whether fishing is a strange thing for a DJ to do. "DJ'ing is a strange thing for a fisherman to do," he replied. That's the best endorsement we can give you for what's sure to be a surprising—and still banging (see his follow-up GU release, Shanghai)—set. DJ Eva opens the night. Element, 10 p.m. $10 before 10 p.m./$15

Wired: Tommie Sunshine + Franki Chan

Up the hill, there's a different kind of banging going on at Wired (not to be confused with the Baltic Room's Wire weekly), where a "secret headlining guest" is announced via last-minute text. Producer/DJ Sunshine and L.A.-based Seattleite Chan spin party jams for the young, dumb, and full of come set; and the headliner? Msg CHOPSUEY with 33992 to get the scoop. Barry Weaver, Figo, and DJ Colin of Mercir. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. NC

Saturday, September 2

Audioasis Live: Graig Markel + Zera Marvel + Heather Duby

KEXP's local show Audioasis always hosts a good monthly, and this month is no exception. Singer-songwriter Markel performs from his upcoming, lovely Via Novella, with Marvel and Duby for the early live show. The evening show, also a MusicCares benefit, features the Turn-Ons, Panda and Angel, and Boat—three of Seattle's quickest-rising stars. High Dive, 7 p.m. $6

Bumbershoot

SEE COVER STORY PULLOUT, P. 43, AND FEATURES [The Thermals, P. 45]. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., 628-0888, 12 p.m. $30 (one day)/$80 (three-day pass), $8 ages 6–10 and 65 and over

Ong Ong: Cardboard + Du Hexen Hase + Ear Venom + M. Evans + Na + Tyler Potts + Jeffrey Taylor + Vibe Cop + the Vonneguts

Ong Ong is an intricately decorated, highly informative local zine, which celebrates its third sparkling issue tonight with music from some of the artists it covers. Each issue has been packed with a CD of original work, and No. 3 introduces readers to the tones and drones of Ear Venom, Vonneguts, Na, and more. Audiovisual stimulation, indeed. Art Works, 619 Western Ave. #22, 206-292-4142, 6 p.m. $5

Sunday, September 3

Bumbershoot

SEE COVER STORY PULLOUT, P. 43 AND FEATURES [Dengue Fever, P. 61, Vashti Bunyan, P. 53, Lusine, P. 48]. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., 628-0888, 12 p.m. $30 (one day)/$80 (three-day pass), $8 ages 6–10 and 65 and over

Monday, September 4