Steve Earle / Wednesday, June 30
Steve Earle may be many things, but he is definitely not subtle. As a songwriter and performer, Earle has spent the past quarter-century telling it like it is—and one could argue he had great fun doing exactly that between 2000 and 2008, when a certain fellow Texan was leading our nation. I had to wonder whether Earle would remain the disgruntled patriot with Obama in office. But with all the Tea Party goofballs, anti-immigrant racists, and GOP shit-stacks still blocking us from becoming a great nation again, I think it's safe to safe Earle has plenty to sing about. With Joe Ely. Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., 684-4800. 5 p.m. $24. All ages. BRIAN J. BARR
Old 97's / Wednesday, June 30
While frontman Rhett Miller's dashing good looks and periodic bids for solo stardom are understandable distractions, the meat of the matter is that the Old 97's are a reliably electrifying, classic American roots-rock band that everyone should see at some point. For more than 15 years, they've been road warriors, purveying a live show that swings joyously between shambolic spectacle and well-oiled onslaught. While they've never attained the acclaim that peers like Wilco or Ryan Adams enjoy, many of the anthems in their back catalog (such as the roof-raising "Timebomb") remain some of the best songs in the so-called alt-country canon. With The David Wax Museum. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. 8 p.m. $22.50 adv./$25 DOS. HANNAH LEVIN
No-Fi Soul Rebellion / Thursday, July 1
Bellingham husband-and-wife band No-Fi Soul Rebellion's playfully bizarre dance pop is the perfect union of big, thumping booty beats and silly, nonsensical lyricism. Nothing is sacred and everything is a source of inspiration: horror-show theremin, butt-rawk sing-shout, chipmunk voices...it's all there, in a melting pot of hip-hop, metal, '80s synth pop, and rock and roll. Like the band's previous releases, No-Fi Soul Rebellion's most recent effort, Oh Please Please Please, unapologetically blends vocals that verge on the obnoxious with infectious beats that make up for any irritation that might come from them. It's just the stuff that inebriated living-room dance parties are made of. With Boy Eats Drum Machine. Experience Music Project, 325 Fifth Ave. N., 292-2787. 5 p.m. All ages. $12–$15. SARA BRICKNER
Ravenna Woods / Thursday, July 1
Seattle locals Ravenna Woods are the kind of band that stands up to drum and doesn't stand down for much. Backing their politically driven bark and howl is a sound along the lines of Local Natives or the Dodos, with even more feverish rhythms and fast-flying acoustic guitar. They've got so much wild urgency it's unbelievable there are only three people onstage, with exactly enough heel-stompin' twang and pluck to satisfy a venue with "tractor" in its name. This show is a homecoming after a week straight of gigs in California and Portland. With Song Sparrow Research, Motopony. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9 p.m. $7.MARY PAULINE DIAZ
Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands / Friday, July 2
Among grunge aficionados, Mark Pickerel is best known as the founding drummer of Screaming Trees. (He played with the band until 1992, on its first five full-lengths). Although the music he makes now bears little resemblance to the hard rock and psychedelia of Clairvoyance, he still brings a drummer's rhythm to his new country style. "Let Me Down Easy" on Cody's Dream, his 2008 release with His Praying Hands, is a steady, blues-based track driven by a deep bongo beat and Pickerel's low, Chris Isaak-esque voice. He plays a dark kind of country music, driven by the haunting, percussive beats he's been perfecting for decades. With Lindsay Fuller & the Cheap Dates (see preview, page 38), Rusty Willoughby. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9:30 p.m. $10. PAIGE RICHMOND
BOAT / Saturday, July 3
Everything you need to know about BOAT can be summed up by one of their most charming songs, "We've Been Friends Since 1989." It opens with a steady bass line and a declaration of irresponsibility: "You can declaw all of your pets/But your new black sofa will still be a mess." The rest of "Friends"—lyrics about growing up over bright guitars and thundering drums—embodies BOAT's youthful yet hopelessly self-aware style. This would be the perfect soundtrack to a mumblecore movie, playing during a scene when the lead character finally reaches a moment of self-discovery. BOAT can feel a little twee and slightly immature, but that's pop music for you—it's all about being young and foolish. With IJI, Build Us Airplanes, Jay Cox of the Sea Navy. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 10 p.m. $8. PAIGE RICHMOND
Helladope / Saturday, July 3
Riding smoothly atop spacey and soulful instrumentals, Helladope's funk-laden, Southern rap–influenced sound is the result of the South End collaboration between veteran MC Jerm of Alpha P and up-and-coming producer/MC Tay Sean. At different times danceable and searing, their self-titled debut album, released in March, reveals a pleasantly accessible sound that matches well with Jerm's seasoned flow. And after sharing stages with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Goodie Mob, Helladope has proven they can hold their own. Don't forget about the bill-sharers for this "Star-Spangled Banger" either; State of the Artist is responsible for something called "SeattleCaliFragalisticExtraHellaDopeness" that's just as fantastic as it sounds. With State of the Artist, Dark Time Sunshine, Katie Kate, DJ Radjaw. Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-5611. 8 p.m. $12. NICK FELDMAN
