Courtesy of Roxy Epoxy
Portland’s Roxy Epoxy is all punk grrrl.
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Alice Russell ~ Thursday, March 26
Clearly influenced by music from the heyday of the Motown and Stax labels, this Brighton, U.K., soul singer-songwriter might be one of the greatest new discoveries in pop music this year. After cultivating a sizable European following, she is currently touring North America in support of Pot of Gold (Six Degrees), her first disc to come out stateside."Got the Hunger," the disc's main single, has a catchy horn arrangement that pays homage to the work of the late Arif Mardin, while "Fly In My Hand" seamlessly blends funk with Europop tendencies. Russell wrote on her Web site that her primary influences include Minnie Riperton, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, and Aretha Franklin. Like her influences, Russell's firm, confident voice makes it seem as if she's been doing this for years, even though she's barely in her mid-20s. With Big World Breaks. Nectar, 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020. 9 p.m. $10 adv. ERNEST BARTELDES
Roxy Epoxy and the Rebound ~ Friday, March 27
On Roxy Epoxy's MySpace page, she describes herself as a "delicate fucking flower," but there's nothing overly gentle about the music she plays. Alongside her band, the Rebound, this Portland-based five-piece has a sound reminiscent of '80s new-wave acts like Blondie or Soft Cell, but with a bit more of a rock-driven edge. It's essentially synth punk, and not many bands (if any) can pull it off in the Northwest as well as this gang. Most of their songs sound as if they could have made the soundtrack to Sixteen Candles or The Breakfast Club, and people love them for that. The band's developed a decent following for their ability to make throwback music seem timely and easy to dance to, whether you're hearing them live or listening to a CD. Their most recent disc, Band-Aids on Bullet Holes, is full of fun jams with Joan Jett–style singing and brooding melodies that go great with PBR tallboys. With The Action Design, Veritas, Feverclub, Goodbye Gadget. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. 7 p.m. $10 adv./$12 DOS. All ages. JONATHAN CUNNINGHAM
Pigeon John ~ Friday, March 27
Los Angeles nerd-rapper Pigeon John got his start in the early '90s by rhyming at the Good Life Café, a launching pad for the likes of Jurassic 5, Pharcyde, Dilated Peoples, and other alt-rap icons. Eventually PJ made his way to venerable Quannum Projects for a solo career in which he flows like a cross between Q-Tip and Mos Def, kicking rhymes about Phil Collins, ping-pong, and girls who won't talk to him over breezy Native Tongues grooves and the occasional Pixies sample. As fun and funky as it is, that sorta hip-hop doesn't exactly pay the bills, so Pigeon John has teamed up with producer Flynn Adam (of L.A. Symphony) for a new EP under the moniker Rootbeer. "Rather than making an escape attempt on this debut to something that was some subtle artistic departure from the West Coast underground laid-back rap that raised them, the duo has grown more apt to fully open their arms and embrace a vast array of what is relative to their own contemporary culture consumption today," says Rootbeer's press kit. In other words, they're attempting to sell out. They describe themselves as "MGMT injected with some N.E.R.D and A Tribe Called Quest"; dunno if that combination will launch them to fame and fortune, but both are seasoned and engaging enough performers to make the show entertaining, at least. Nectar, 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020. 9 p.m. $10 adv. MICHAEL ALAN GOLDBERG
Wintersleep, An Horse ~ Friday, March 27
A loving mesh of Paul Murphy's wise, husky voice, several layers of earnest guitar work, and poignant, introspective lyrics, Canadian band Wintersleep makes music of the sort that swells in films just as the underdog triumphs over a more formidable adversary. Brisbane, Australia's An Horse opens as the requisite they-came-from-nowhere band, though in reality they've been quietly strengthening their chops Down Under by opening for Death Cab and touring the U.S. with Tegan and Sara—all before releasing a full-length album. Singer Kate Cooper's vocals pay reverent homage to Liz Phair, but An Horse's haphazard concoction of tumbling drums, tambourines, and sparse guitars produce a unique sound. With Dearboy. Vera Project, Seattle Center, Warren Avenue North and Republican Street. 7:30 p.m. $10. All ages. RAECHEL SIMS
Jaguar Love ~ Saturday, March 28
Given the track record of Jaguar Love's members, it's not surprising there have been changes during the band's barely two-year history. These days, the Portland-based electro-jazz-indie band consists of only two musicians: lead singer Johnny Whitney and guitar player Cody Votolato, both former members of Seattle's own Blood Brothers. But just two months ago, Jaguar Love also boasted Jay Clark (of Pretty Girls Make Graves fame) on keyboards and drums. Now Clark has left the band, and in a recent announcement on the band's MySpace page, Whitney and Votolato claim the band's sound is changing, too. In a blog post, Johnny described the new music as "Daft Punk meets New Order meets Black Flag"—which probably won't be that different from Jaguar Love's current sound. Sure, there will be less keyboard use without Clark, and some songs might lose their dancy quality because of it, but it's Whitney's trademark wailing, tortured vocals that define this band. With OK Go, IO Echo. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8000. 8 p.m. $18 adv./$20 DOS. All ages. PAIGE RICHMOND
