Thursday, May 26Bill FrisellSeattle’s favorite jazz guitarist is joined by drummer Brian

Published 7:00 am Monday, October 9, 2006

Thursday, May 26Bill FrisellSeattle’s favorite jazz guitarist is joined by drummer Brian Blade and Hammond B-3 organist Sam Yahel for this four-night stand. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $21.50/$23.50 Also Friday, May 27–Monday, May 29Kelly ClarksonStill trying to figure out whether “Since U Been Gone” is transcendent or simply the most overrated piece of mainstream pop-rock in ages, but either way it’s a hell of a lot better than what she started out doing, meaning the TV show and the records both. Paramount Theatre, 7:30 p.m. $39.50VNV NationWhat if we told you that industrial-rock-dance hearkened back to late-’80s/early-’90s Wax Trax! You don’t have to believe it, of course, but if that sounds at all enticing to you, why not give it a shot? Imperative Action open. Showbox, 8 p.m. $20 adv./$25The Valley + Alta May + Beautiful MothersSEE CD REVIEW, P. 85. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $6Friday, May 27Razrez + the Cops + Infomatik + Smile BrigadeA member of Razrez used to be in Automaton, one of the Cops used to be in Kinski, and from the sounds of things, it’s as if all of Infomatik used to be in New Order. Live in the now, sure, but these bands have some nice back story, too. VERA Project, 9 p.m.The Ruby DoeIf the Ruby Doe keep producing music like that found on their latest, Always With Wings, they’re gonna decipher the meaning of the universe via complicated guitar-etry. We hope we’re there, head-banging away when it happens. Old Firehouse, 16510 N.E. 79th St., Redmond, 425-556-2370. 8 p.m. $6.The DearsThey’ve been termed a “pint-sized pop orchestra,” and they’re not afraid to be lush; they’re also from Canada. If you care at all, you’ve already got your ticket; if none of those things registers, the Dears aren’t going to change your mind. Shout Out Louds and Marjorie Fair open. Crocodile Cafe, 8 p.m. $10Of MontrealMaybe it’s that the city they’re named for is undergoing a hype wave that anyone who lived here 14 years ago would recognize, but Athens’ Of Montreal have stepped up to the plate in a major way lately. The Sunlandic Twins (Polyvinyl) is one of the most captivating indie albums of the year. IQU and Kanda open. Chop Suey, 5:30 p.m. $8The Crystal MethodAfter two fluke electronica-bubble club hits, this Vegas-gone-L.A. duo hit the skids, record-making-wise. But here, they’ll be playing other people’s records, which shoves the recommend-o-meter up a notch. Element, 9 p.m. $17 adv./$22Camper Van Beethoven + Young Criminals Starvation LeagueAt first it was good news that CVB were back together—they made good records in the ’80s and lots of folks wanted to see ’em play them. Too bad they went and made another one, the lifeless New Roman Times, last year. YCSL are Bobby Bare Jr.’s band, warming up for the leader’s Sasquatch set. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $25Asylum Street SpankersAre these guys living here now or what? It sure seems like it, because the jokey, skillful Austin band seems to play here every three weeks or so. OK, every three months. Still. Tractor Tavern, 8 p.m. $12 adv./$14HiroshimaJazz-fusion with decidedly Asian flavor, this L.A. septet is probably best known outside aficionados for recording the theme song of Food Network’s East Meets West. Triple Door, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. $35 Also Saturday, May 28Saturday, May 28The Rotten ApplesLed by feisty and fantastic frontwoman Dejha Colantuono (girlfriend can sing), the Rotten Apples blend ’70s punk, ’50s soul, and ’80s MTV-era pop to create perfect shake-your-can music. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8Kitchen Syncopators + Michael HurleyKitchen Syncopators are nice and all, but it’s Hurley we’re jazzed about. A food-fond folkie with a handful of great records to his credit (1980’s Snockgrass and his portions of 1976’s Have Moicy! in particular), Hurley’s an easygoing showman with a lot of songs and not a few jokes, always a nice thing in an acoustic performer. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $8Caribou + Junior BoysThe headliners are OK-ish laptop-indie, but it’s the middle group that’s worth watching (in the figurative if not literal sense, since their stage presence is basically nil). Last Exit, the rapturous album Junior Boys issued last year, is still the best indietronica fusion disc of the past half-decade; hopefully the new stuff will be just as good. Russian Futurists open. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10AkimboMetal crunches always, but the best of it swings, too, and that’s what Akimbo do—their stuff moves as hard as it hits. Lords and Patrol open. El Corazon, 9 p.m. $6Snoop Dogg + the GameThe headliner’s cranked out lots of good singles, just as many crap ones, and gets by on his ill-begotten charisma regardless. The opener doesn’t even have much in the way of charisma, unfortunately—just a big promo push and a bunch of N.W.A references. White River Amphitheatre, 40601 Auburn Enumclaw Rd., Auburn, 206-628-0888, 7:30 p.m. $25–$46 adv.Sasquatch: Pixies + Modest Mouse + Kanye West + Wilco + the Arcade Fire + Ray Lamontange + Jem + Bloc Party + U.S.E. + A.C. Newman + the Frames + Bobby Bare Jr. + Be Good Tanyas + Benevento-Russo Duo + Matisyahu + Visqueen + Blue Scholars + Smoosh + AqueductIndie rockers, gather round for the sustenance you’ve been yearning for. It’s time again to catch up with old favorites like college-rock pioneers the Pixies and breakthrough artists like Modest Mouse. Seattle power-pop favorites Visqueen always put on a great show, and will be seen with other locals on the Yeti Stage. For the full Sasquatch experience, you’ll want to camp at the Gorge. And at just $30 a day (per vehicle) it’s quite the um . . . bargain. Then you and other concertgoers can sit around a campfire singing “Float On” as an expression of your solidarity. Gorge Amphitheatre, 754 Silica Rd. N.W., George, 206-628-0888, 11 a.m. $55Sunday, May 29Daniel Johnson Benefit: Broadcast Debut + M-Set + Royal Bliss + Dope SmoothieFour months ago, Johnson, 28, was in a skating accident, ending up with several fractures and a brain hemorrhage. He’s out for another year because of the injury, and this bill, set up by his sister, will help defray the medical costs. Neumo’s, 8 p.m. $7Monday, May 30Still Flyin’Comprised of upward of 10 (membership tends to vary) San Franciscan indie rockers, Still Flyin’ feature trombone, vibraphone, and a bevy of backup vocals as well as the much-lauded drumming of former Aisler’s Set member Yoshi Nakamoto. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $7Tuesday, May 31Boom Bip + FogFog, aka Andrew Broder, doesn’t shy from experimentation—it’s how he learned to produce his often-boring, sometimes-brilliant bedroom-tronica. Bam! New annoying genre name. Or is it? Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10Sleater-Kinney + Mary TimonySEE FEATURE, P. 83. Moore Theatre, 8 p.m. $17.50 adv./$20 EUPCOMING SHOWSJune 4 Kathleen Edwards, Neumo’sJune 7 Pinback, Neumo’sJune 9 Meat Beat Manifesto, Neumo’sJune 10 Peter Cincotti + Bebel Gilberto, Moore TheatreJune 10 DJ Krush, ShowboxJune 10 Nekromantix, El CorazonJune 12 Steve Winwood, Chateau Ste. MichelleJune 13 Electrelane, Neumo’sJune 14 Aesop Rock, ShowboxJune 14 Deicide, Studio 7June 14 Eisley, El CorazonJune 15 Rilo Kiley, ShowboxJune 16-17 Built to Spill, ShowboxJune 16 The Futureheads, Neumo’sJune 17 Enon, Neumo’sJune 18 Michael Bolton, Emerald Queen CasinoJune 18 Tom Jones, Paramount TheatreJune 18 Lhasa, Neumo’sJune 18 Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, Neumo’sJune 18 Spoon + the Clientele, ShowboxJune 22 Whitesnake, Paramount TheatreJune 25 Loggins & Messina, Gorge AmphitheatreJune 26 Six Feet Under, Studio 7July 2-3 Widespread Panic, Gorge AmphitheatreJuly 6 The Waifs, ShowboxJuly 8 Chuck Prophet + Pete Krebs & the Gossamer Wings + Elvis Huxley, Tractor TavernJuly 8 Hate Eternal, Studio 7July 9 Gogol Bordello, Neumo’sJuly 9 Warped Tour, Gorge AmphitheatreJuly 13 Gatsby’s American Dream, El CorazonJuly 17 Eminem + 50 Cent + Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz, White River AmphitheatreJuly 18 The Go! Team, Neumo’sJuly 20 Marc Cohn + Suzanne Vega, Woodland Park ZooJuly 20 Waterson:Carthy, Tractor TavernJuly 21 Dierks Bentley, ShowboxJuly 23 Nicolai Dunger, Tractor TavernJuly 24 Alkaline Trio, ShowboxJuly 27 Bruce Hornsby, Woodland Park ZooJuly 27 Tears for Fears, Chateau Ste. MichelleJuly 27-30 Creation Fest, Gorge AmphitheatreJuly 30 Mark Knopfler, Chateau Ste. MichelleJuly 30 Femi Kuti, Showbox