Notable Shows

Wednesday, September 27

Club Pop: Wallpaper + Partman Parthorse

No doubt about it, Wallpaper are one of the best new bands on the pop scene. There's something inherently goofy about them, which is what makes them so endearing. Built out of simple keyboard melodies and post-punk guitars, Wallpaper are nothing if not fresh and inviting. It's safe to say we can expect more from these locals in the next year. And while you're at this show, check out garage punks Partman Parthorse, whose tracks appear on the rad little Black Garfield comp (out now on Haunted Horse records) alongside the Unnatural Helpers, the Old Timerz, and Coconut Coolouts. With Dee Jay Jack and Teabag, DJs Colby, Paco. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $6 18+

Phoenix + La Rocca

Their 2000 debut United spawned two killer singles, "If I Ever Feel Better," and "Too Young," which will play on the electronica-friendly indie kid's mixtapes for years to come. The French band has yet to duplicate their success, but their latest, It's Never Been Like That, is more confident, though less dancefloor-friendly. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $15 Phoenix also at Easy Street Records, 20 Mercer St., at 6 p.m. NC

Thursday, September 28

Andrew Bird + Cass McCombs

Two gifted singer-songwriters—one from Chicago (Bird), one from Baltimore (McCombs)—with two distinctive voices bring their talents back to our very singer-songwriter-receptive city. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $15 All ages

Lambchop + Rosie Thomas

SEE FEATURE, P. 40. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $20 adv./$23

Man Man + the Lights + Fleet Foxes

Carnie-folk is the new freak-folk, have you heard? And this time, it's truly freaky. It's doubtful you've heard anything like Man Man before, or at least in a while, so prepare yourself for the sonic equivalent of reading "Geek Love," or watching the Circus Contraption performance troupe without the aerialists, or . . . well, you get the idea. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $9 adv./$10

Tresspassers William + Transmissionary Six + Downpilot

For five bucks, you can't go wrong with this show of local pop luminaries—in fact, you're positively spoiled! Each band's tender tunes and lusciously melancholic harmonies are the reason Seattle is still a destination for small-town kids who want to attend local shows not as favors to friends but because the bands are actually good. High Dive, 9:30 p.m. $5

Friday, September 29

Felix Da Housecat

Famed Chicago house DJ brings kittenz—and thee glitz—to Seattle. Though he hasn't recorded new material in recent years, it's certain that this electronic impresario will bust out some killer remixes, like ones he's done for artists such as Madonna, the Pet Shop Boys, and Kylie Minogue. Last Supper Club, 10 p.m.

Junior Boys + Ensemble + the Long Ranger

SEE CD REVIEW [Junior Boys], P. 41. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $10 adv./$12

The Ruby Doe + USS Horsewhip + the Blind Shake

Another of many shows this week with thrilling triple-bills: the Ruby Doe, USS Horsewhip, and the Blind Shake are each jagged fractals in the spectrum of Seattle punk that keeps it shining on. Funhouse, 9:30 p.m. $7

The Village Green + the Purrs + the Ettes

The Village Green wear their influences in the form of their moniker. And while the Kinks are a massive influence on the Portland band, they pack in plenty of other Britpop influences as well—namely Blur and Oasis—but minus the asshole sneer of Liam Gallagher. Their new album, Feeling the Fall, was released in August. High Dive, 10 p.m. $7

Saturday, September 30

Asobi Seksu + Darker My Love + S

Unmistakably the best bet for your indie-rock dollar tonight, N.Y. shoegazers-with-pep Asobi Seksu are paired with Austin's Darker My Love, who bring to mind the Jesus and Mary Chain's harder-edged dream rock, along with the elusive, former Carissa's Wierd songstress S—I said goddam! Chop Suey, 5 p.m. $8

Curumin + Tommy Guerrero + Honeycut

Brazilian songwriter Curumin's been around the world already with his band Zomba; Guerrero's been around many times as a skateboarder with the Bones Brigade, and his second career of making funky, organic-sounding electronic music works well—as does California soul/funk trio Honeycut's sound. All of them have new or recent albums on quality hip-hop-based label Quannum. Nectar, 10 p.m. $8

Pelican + Daughters + Nachmystium

Symphonic! Instrumental! Metal! And! Chaotic! Noise! Yeah! Neumo's, 8 p.m. $12 adv./$14 All ages

Two Ton Boa + Unnatural Helpers + the Cave Singers

This is your foot-stomping ghost-folk right here! With high-lonesome Appalachian vocal harmonies and grass-stained finger-picking, it's obvious Seattle's Cave Singers have been schooled in the Anthology of American Folk Music. But there's something equally eerie and reverby about them, as if they are a couple of country ghosts whose songs still haunt the hills. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $7

Sunday, October 1

Johanna Kunin + Karl Blau + the Finches

Goddamn, that Tucker Martine knows how to make a record, doesn't he? The former Seattleite (now living in Portland) has laid his lush production technique to locals like Laura Veirs and Mike Dumovich, and now he's turned his attention to up-and-comer Johanna Kunin, whose florid vocals and piano-based melodies are given the royal treatment by Martine. The result is Clouds Electric, a melancholy pop record speckled with orchestral arrangements (featuring fearless freak violist Eyvind Kang) that recall the warmth of Veirs' better work. All in all, not a bad beginning for a young Seattleite. Cafe Venus/Mars Bar, 9 p.m. $6

Monday, October 2