Public Image Ltd / Tuesday, April 20
After the Sex Pistols crashed and burned in 1978, Johnny Rotten—now John Lydon—conjured PiL from the ashes, melding his own personal demons with a passion for reggae, dub, and disco, assaulting the UK charts, and defining post-punk for the next 14 years. His inimitable yowl is the only link to the good/bad old days; PiL's other pillars, bassist Jah Wobble and guitarist Keith Levene, are long gone. Lydon's stated reasons for this tour (including PiL's first Seattle show in 18 years) are to introduce his music to a new generation and raise funds for a new record. Think back to his most recent local appearance, the Pistols' reunion tour at Bumbershoot '96, and don't say you haven't been warned. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. $39.50 adv./$45 DOS. 7 p.m. MICHAEL MAHONEY
Jason Frank Rothenberg
Yeasayer: too cool for direct eye contact.
Dave Wainwright
Johnny Rotten no more: Public Image Ltd
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Josh Rouse / Tuesday, April 20
There's a fine line between being totally, undeniably smooth and over-the-top schmaltzy, especially where singer/songwriters are concerned. Thankfully, Josh Rouse sits on the effortlessly smooth side of the fence. Originally from Nebraska, Rouse relocated to Spain five years ago for a change of scenery, and watching the infusion of a slow, quiet life in a small Spanish village into his intimate, folky repertoire has been like watching an artist gain a brand-new voice. Yes, "guy from Nebraska goes Latin" looks pretty awkward on paper, but Rouse's obvious love for music and playful attitude (as well as his drawing from a well of influences that include Paul Simon's world-aware folk and the supple bossa nova of Joao Gilberto) results in some pretty vibrant, eclectic music. Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. 7:30 p.m. $20. All ages.GREGORY FRANKLIN
Yeasayer / Tuesday, April 20
Brooklyn's Yeasayer released their arty, psychedelic debut All Hour Cymbals to rave reviews in 2007, but it was their sophomore record, February's Odd Blood, that launched the huge wave of popularity they're currently riding. Odd Blood is Yeasayer's stab at making a pop record—songs like "O.N.E." have high-gloss sounds and immediately catchy choruses—but with its mesh of Middle Eastern, '80s, disco, and African influences, it's far more experimental than top-40. Weird and expensive-looking music videos for "Ambling Alp" and "O.N.E." have gone viral, completing Odd Blood's sleek pop package. It's all proven a winning formula, too—Seattle's been in a frenzy lately trying to find last-minute tickets to this beyond-sold-out show. With Sleigh Bells. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. ERIN K. THOMPSON
