Phantogram / Wednesday, May 5 See B-Sides.
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The Coyotes / Thursday, May 6
The eclectic, brass-tinged approach to Americana of San Diego transplants the Coyotes is one of Seattle's best-kept secrets. They've got all the right stuff: trippy, complex guitar riffage, an ear for dynamics, unorthodox instrumentation, and—just for all the nerds out there—lyrics inspired by science-fiction novels. While the band's fusion of folk, psychedelia, and jazz defies easy assimilation into one of Seattle's sub-scenes, it is also their greatest strength. Further fine-tuning couldn't hurt, but tracks like "Two Moons" and "Patience" (both available on the band's MySpace page) speak much about their vast potential. With Hurricane Lanterns, Lady Krishna's Peppermint Lounge. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 9 p.m. $6.SARA BRICKNER
Grynch / Thursday, May 6
"A silver Volvo 240 D-L/It make me wanna choke somebody out/Call me Sprewell," Grynch raps on his valentine to his '86 crapmobile, "My Volvo." The Ill Pill–produced track, off his '09 EP Chemistry, recently got the video treatment—which it definitely deserved, as the cut represents all that the diminutive local MC with a hefty baritone is about: honest, often hilarious, tales of something less than the good life. Around the time Grynch released the EP, he had begun flirting with none other than Warren G, as well as getting some love from Billboard magazine. Not sure if this will lead to a new car yet, but this Ballard native is flat-out one of the most talented lyricists in the scene—which is saying something. With D.Black, SOL, DJ Vitamin D. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $1. KEVIN CAPP
Ivan & Alyosha / Thursday, May 6
Trying to find a stellar new indie-pop band in 2010 feels a little like showing up to the last hour of the last day of a record sale and assuming there'll be something decent left over. Sure, it looks like there's still a lot to choose from, but start digging through the stacks and it turns out to be all Beatles compilations and a gnawed-on copy of Thriller. Discovering a fresh young band like Seattle's Ivan & Alyosha feels a little like walking into that record sale and finding a mint copy of The Gilded Palace of Sin. Though Ivan & Alyosha has only released one EP, The Verse, the Chorus, the band's about to head into the studio to make a full-length album that may well prove a much-needed shot of adrenalin for a tired genre. With the Nine Tailors, Pickwick. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599, 9 p.m. $6. SARA BRICKNER
Lupe Fiasco / Friday, May 7
After rising to fame through an appearance on Kanye West's Late Registration and his own first single, the skateboarding love story "Kick Push," Chicago native Lupe Fiasco quickly established himself as a relentless artistic force. Though some of his grandiose plans (like the three-disc LupE.N.D.) never materialized, Lupe's talent as a lyricist and energy as an MC make it inexcusable to miss any of his live performances—even if there's no release date in sight for his third record Lasers, the namesake of this tour. With B.o.B., Dosage. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., 382-7877. 8:30 p.m. $35. All ages. NICK FELDMAN
Nickelback / Friday, May 7
Nickelback is aptly described as an "alternative rock" band. They certainly serve as an "alternative" to original songcraft, making the previous king of clichéd Canadian songwriting, Bryan Adams, come off like Bob Fucking Dylan. "Alternative?" Yes, to music that has edge and street smarts and provokes listeners with fresh ideas; white toast and lime hospital Jell-O have more flavor than a Nickelback song. But the label mostly works because Nickelback is as boring, tired, and dated as the term "alternative rock" itself. For much of that we can thank Live Nation, whose satanic contract shat this band all over the airwaves. There's goin' to be some Ed Hardy for Target up in the Tacoma Dome tonight. With Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, Sick Puppies. Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma, 253-272-3663. 7:30 p.m. $49.75–$65.75. All ages. MA'CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR
Title Tracks / Friday, May 7
Once a third of Q and Not U, John Davis is now on his own as Title Tracks, and has populated his debut album It Was Easy with effortlessly catchy, three-minute servings of classic power pop. "Every Little Bit Hurts" and "Black Bubblegum" offer instant thrills, while Davis lays on a cool falsetto for the funky "Hello There." Camera Obscura's Tracyanne Campbell sings backup on a quaint take on Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than the Rest" and the ska-teased "No, Girl." It Was Easy closes with a punchy cover of the Byrds' "She Don't Care About Time." With the original songs he's been writing, Davis is on his way to joining the ranks of his heroes. (Also see B-Sides.) With Blunt Mechanic, Police Teeth. Vera Project, 305 Harrison St., 956-8372. 7:30 p.m. $9. All ages. DOUG WALLEN
Unnatural Helpers / Friday, May 7 See Q&A.
Jimmy Gnecco / Saturday, May 8
Two decades ago, New Jersey's Jimmy Gnecco founded and fronted the dark, ultradramatic rock band Ours. Ours signed to DreamWorks and found some moderate mainstream success—"Dizzy," off 2001's Distorted Lullabies, is still one of my favorite vocal performances ever. It's really Gnecco's incredible voice that has drawn most of the attention from fans and press—his steely timbre and soul-searing falsetto are often compared to those of his late friend Jeff Buckley. This summer, Gnecco will release a solo album, The Heart. "Bring You Home," the first single, is instantly and powerfully passionate. Gnecco's bare and insistent singing brings to mind another dynamic vocalist—Thom Yorke circa The Bends. With Greg Laswell, Brian Wright. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9:30 p.m. $12 adv./$15 DOS. ERIN K. THOMPSON
