Weekly Notable Shows

Wednesday, September 13

Karrin Allyson

Two-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Allyson returns with Footprints, a set of instrumental standards like the revered title cut, updated with lyrics and her sultry voice. Before you call blasphemy, give Allyson—and Northwestern scat star Nancy King, who's performing with her—a listen. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $22.50–$24.50 Also Thurs., Sept. 14–Sun., Sept. 17

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

The first time we saw these little electro-poppers they were, like, 17 years old and singing songs about their nutsacks at 826 Seattle, much to the chagrin of the parents in attendance. But now, it looks like they done growed up and scored a gig at Chop Suey, of all places. Songs like "Beard Lust" and "Sophisticated Side" are some of the catchiest shit you'll hear this year. They're essentially the band you always wanted to form as a teenager, but weren't motivated enough to make happen. With Na, Sexually Active Corpse, MC Vagina, and Capitalsteps. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $5

Thursday, September 14

Choklate

While guest-starring with the funk combo Breakestra at Bumbershoot, Choklate got the crowd vibing with her soulful energy. Here's another chance to catch this rising local talent. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $12

Decibel Festival

Opening party: Nortec Collective, Fax, Panoptica, Latinsizer, Plankton Man. Various Venues, see www.decibelfestival.com for schedule and info, www.ticketwindowonline.com, 206-325-6500, for tickets. Individual shows $5–$17/club pass $50/pro pass $75/All-access pass $100. 9 p.m.

Heart

2004's Jupiter's Darling was the last we heard from Heart, but Ann and Nancy haven't been taking many breaks. This is their homecoming show from a nationwide tour, so feel free to go crazy on them. Paramount, 8 p.m. $37–$67

Jollyship the Whiz-Bang

This "Pyrate Puppet Rock Opera Consortium" is an eight-person troupe straight from the salty, pitiless sea . . . er, Brooklyn . . . who promise "catchy nautical electro pop and mindblowing cheap stage effects." Sounds arrrr-some to us. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. $15–$20 Also Sat., Sept. 15

The Lights + Thee Emergency + the Tall Birds

SEE FEATURE [Tall Birds], P. 45. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8

Friday, September 15

Decibel Festival

Opening gala: Mr. Projectile, Deru, Thomas Fehlmann. Headfuk: Alex Smoke, Apparat, Telefon Tel Aviv, Lusine, Logic Probe. Future Funk: Claude Vonstroke, Jacob London, Mister Leisure, Brett Johnson, Jeromy Nail. Portland showcase: SciFiSoul, Senor Frio, Let's Go Outside, Ben Milstein, GreenStar. Various Venues, see www.decibelfestival.com for schedule and info, www.ticketwindowonline.com, 206-325-6500, for tickets. Individual shows $5–$17/club pass $50/pro pass $75/All-access pass $100. 9 p.m.

Junkie XL

Despite the glut of out-of-the-ordinary electronic artists kicking around on this particular weekend, some of y'all are just gonna go to Element anyway and slap down your Hamilton, no matter who's playing. Lucky for you, Tom Holkenborg is one of the better big-beat DJs out there. With DJ Flave. Element, 10 p.m. $10

Ratatat

SEE CD REVIEWS, P. 50. El Corazon, 7 p.m. $12 All ages

The Trashies

Any dude will tell ya . . . once you get past a certain age, you stop wearing sweatpants for a reason. That said, "Sweatpants Boner" by Seattle's own the Trashies captures one of the finest, most untalked about phenomenon of manhood (i.e., why you don't wear sweatpants as an adult). This is one of the last chances you'll have to see the Trashies before they head out on a West Coast tour for a month, so see them tonight. Plus, you'll be able to purchase their long-player Lifesucks Trashfuck. The Cheats, the Bug Nasties, and the Suspicions also play. Comet Tavern, 9 p.m. $6

Saturday, September 16

Decibel Festival

Dirty Dancing: Green Velvet, [a]pendics.shuffle, Jerry Abstract, Tim Xavier, Camea, Insideout. Experimental: Taylor Deupree, Richard Chartier, Son of Rose, Yann Novak. Electro-pop: Subtle, Static, Plan B, Foscil. Minimal/Dub: Ruhoho Ruotsi, Kate Simko, Soultek, Robin Judge. Future Jazz: Jeremy Ellis, 1Luv, SunTzu Sound. Afterhours: Andreas Tilliander, Jon McMillion, Davide Squillace, Kristina Childs. Various Venues, see www.decibelfestival.com for schedule and info, www.ticketwindowonline.com, 206-325-6500, for tickets. Individual shows $5–$17/club pass $50/pro pass $75/All-access pass $100. 9 p.m.

The Divorce + Siren's Sister + Siberian

Local indie rockers Sirens Sister (featuring Zach from Vendetta Red) make no excuses about being romantics. Their dramatic, soaring vocals recall U2's early 80s output, and their guitars are as jangly and angular. They've got a slew of promotional slots lined up this weekend, but this would be a great chance to check them out live and buy their debut disc, Echoes from the Ocean Floor. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8 adv./$10

Scratch Acid + Gorch Fock

SEE FEATURE [Scratch Acid], P. 47. Showbox, 8 p.m. $18 adv./$20

Sunday, September 17

Decibel Festival

Ambient: Murcof, the Dead Texan, Mokira, Anton Zalaparta. Oscillate: Electrosect, Paul Edwards, Rudement, ndCv, KFO, Kinoko. Finale: Speedy J, Bola, Greg Skidmore. Various Venues, see www.decibelfestival.com for schedule and info, www.ticketwindowonline.com, 206-325-6500, for tickets. Individual shows $5–$17/club pass $50/pro pass $75/All-access pass $100. 9 p.m.

Monday, September 18

Pato Banton and the Mystic Roots Band + Adrian Xavier

Banton's been a member of the English Beat, a reggae legend in his own right, and a spokesperson for WOMAD, so you can guess what the scene will be like tonight. But he's also been a teacher, so come prepared to learn something. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $15 All ages