Buzzcocks /Wednesday, June 2
Mike Folden
Jack the Ripper: Don't look back.
Nacho Alegre
Delorean: Viva Ibiza!
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33 (and a third) years after their debut EP Spiral Scratch, the UK's first self-released punk record, Manchester's Buzzcocks remain influential and even relevant as the writing/vocals/guitars core of Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle push into their mid-50s. Tonight, rewind to 1978 for their first two albums, Another Music in a Different Kitchen and Love Bites, in their entirety. The relative innocence of their hooky, hurtling (half of the two discs' 22 tracks clock in under three minutes) pop-punk is a refreshing counterpoint to the nihilism of their inspiration, the Sex Pistols, and Shelley's fey bisexuality lends the lyrics a dimension beyond the usual boy-meets- (and loses) girl. With the Dollyrots, Images. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. 7 p.m. $18.50 adv./$20 DOS. All ages. MICHAEL MAHONEY
Maxwell & Jill Scott /Wednesday, June 2
Drawing on his most recent chart-topping release BLACKsummers'night as well as 1996's multi-platinum Urban Hang Suite, the Brooklyn-born Maxwell's silky vocal stylings ponder love and emotional connection in a boldly deep and complex way. His co-headliner, Jill Scott, is more than capable of drawing her own crowd; known for a wise and honest perspective, not to mention vividly descriptive flourishes, her fourth release The Light of the Sun (due out later this year) promises to be a further cementing of Scott's role as neo-soul queen. Between the two Grammy-winning pioneers and their balance of baby-making grooves and intellectual poetics, it's an R&B lover's dream. With Guy Torry. KeyArena, 305 Harrison St., 684-7200. 7 p.m. $39.50–$150. All ages. NICK FELDMAN
Bane / Thursday, June 3
To still be a hardcore punk musician these days takes dedication. It's been close to a decade since bands like AFI or H20 were signing major-label deals or getting mainstream attention. But none of this seems to matter to Massachusetts-based Bane, making fist-pumping, hard-driving punk since 1995 and showing no signs of slowing. Aaron Dalbec and company tour this summer to celebrate their latest EP. And unlike Rise Against's music, Bane's still sounds pretty much like it did 15 years ago: breakdowns, heavy guitars, and shouted lyrics about living straight-edge. Bane may be grown up, but they're still teenagers at heart. With Strike Anywhere, Touche Amore, Lowtalker. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8000. 7 p.m. $13. All ages. PAIGE RICHMOND
Deadstring Brothers / Thursday, June 3
The Deadstring Brothers are commonly tagged as alt-country and/or Americana. This makes not a lick of sense. I'm spinning the Bros' new album Sao Paulo right this second; what I'm hearing is a band well-versed in denim-clad classic rock. We're talking vintage boogie laced with piano, organ, and slide guitar; with touches of pedal steel and heartfelt choruses steeped in gospel, blues, and whiskey. These last two elements do lend the music a countryish flavor. But it's not as if rock-and-roll tradition has no claim on them. If Sao Paulo really is alt-country, then so are Exile on Main St., the Black Crowes, a lot of Aerosmith's early jams, and hell, even Cinderella's Heartbreak Station. With Betsy Olson, Lizzie Huffman & Her Brother Band. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9 p.m. $8.JUSTIN F. FARRAR
Good Old War / Friday, June 4 See preview.
Mother and Father / Friday, June 4
The Australian trio Mother and Father makes no secret of its Nirvana worship. It's embedded in the DNA of every song on the band's brashly tuneful debut Nothin'. There's a bit more punk to their curt anthems, and frontman Greg Kerslake's ragged vocals recall the Replacements. Mother and Father succeed by keeping things simple—introducing an immediate hook, smothering it in fuzzy volume, and wailing away at it for just a few minutes at a time. The band's debut U.S. tour will provide a chance to play Nirvana's hometown as well as record a second album and 7-inch with Nirvana engineer Jack Endino himself. With Sleep Capsule, Mopper. Funhouse, 206 Fifth Ave. N., 374-8400. 9:30 p.m. $6. DOUG WALLEN
Zepparella / Friday, June 4
There are approximately 2,749 Led Zeppelin tribute bands plying their trade in small clubs around the globe. One notable subset is the all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band. The East Coast has Lez Zeppelin, and the West has Zepparella, a foxy and ferocious foursome from San Francisco. Ol' Robert Plant can't hit too many of his notes anymore, but Zepparella's powerhouse frontwoman Anna Kristina certainly can, and the rest of the band brings skill and smarts to all those famous riffs and rhythms. Granted, Seattle ultimately prefers to hear Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson throw down on some classic Zeppelin tunes, but Zepparella is the next best thing. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 7 & 11 p.m. $12 adv./$15 DOS/$20 both shows. MICHAEL ALAN GOLDBERG
Crash Test Dummies / Saturday, June 5
What's the difference between Crash Test Dummies and The National? Let's start with the obvious: Crash Test Dummies measure albums sold in the mid-millions. The National have yet to go gold (500,000 units) with any of their records. The National are the cool kids from Brooklyn, deep-throated by critics and embraced by the indie ghetto. Crash Test Dummies are a one-hit-wonder punchline who just released Oooh La La!, their first album in six years. But go back and take a listen to the Dummies' once-ubiquitous "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" or its predecessor, "Superman's Song"; then listen to The National's "Racing Like a Pro" and try to convince yourself you're not listening to an aural doppelgänger. There is indeed something comforting about a well-placed baritone. So let me tell you a story: "Once there was this boy who..." Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. 8 p.m. $25. All ages. CHRIS KORNELIS
