Weekly Notable Shows
Published 7:00 am Monday, October 9, 2006
Wednesday, February 22
Il Divo
Opera’s first boy band is a quartet of international hotties who give new meaning to songs like Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart” and the classic “Unchained Melody.” Not surprisingly, The New Yorker reports they’ve got groupies galore. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 7:30 p.m. $45–$75
The Kissers + Ala Zingara
Celtic rockers—by way of Wisconsin—the Kissers are known for their frenzied live shows, and local gypsy rock quartet Ala Zingara joins in for a rambunctious party. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $8
Kings of the Night Time World
The tributes never end!!! Local indie MVPs honoring KISS, and always looking for more excuses to party, include: Raz Rez, Kane Hodder, Shawn Smith, Sunday Night Blackout, Friel Brothers, Mos Generator, Key Note Speaker, Spanish for 100, Moc Moc, and Patrol, with DJ Dead Air. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. NC
Thursday, February 23
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
The zoot-suited L.A. big band is still coasting on its late-’90s mega-success—that’s money. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. $24.50 Also Friday, Feb. 24–Sunday, Feb. 26
The Buttrock Suites Benefit
The Buttrock Suites (heavy rock + ballet = yum) was one of the undisputed highlights of last year’s Bumbershoot, so this show is for a good cause. It features Sissyfit, Shit Overn, and DJs Brazenhussy, Buttrock, and Lenny B. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $7
Swallow
With bragging rights to the third single released on Sub Pop, this band nevertheless manages to average one appearance per decade—lastly at the Croc in 1996. See what’s new . . . maybe . . . with Michael Leyden opening. Hana, 914 Eighth Ave., 9 p.m.
Reggie Watts
The lead singer of Maktub, jazz sit-in specialist, solo singer-songwriter, award-winning stand-up comedian—Watts will do at least portions of all these tonight, in two sets. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $15
Friday, February 24
Joe Budden
This MC is still at it, albeit with a lower profile than when “Pump Me Up” became a medium-sized hit in 2003. Unexpected Arrival and Mac Mall open. Premier, 8 p.m. $15. 18 and older
Common Market
ConWorks’ music stage is in full swing this season, with a run of experimental shows leading up to a few of the region’s best hip-hop artists. Tonight, Blue Scholars’ beatsmith Sabzi and lyricist RA Scion show off their common passion. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave. N., 10 p.m. $8 members/$10 adv./$12 All ages
Early Man
More than one onlooker has referred to Early Man as a New Wave of British Heavy Metal tribute act, and one listen to their Closing In (Matador) does not dispel this. Priestess, the Sword, and USS Horsewhip open. Crocodile Cafe, 8 p.m. $10
The Lashes
The local power-poppers finally have their album, Get It, coming out on Columbia; this is a CD release show. The Divorce, the Lonely H, and the Neons open. Neumo’s, 8 p.m. $10 adv./$12. All ages Also at Sonic Boom Ballard, 2209 N.W. Market St., 206-297-2662, 6 p.m. Free
The Pale Pacific
Catch these first-rate indie rockers tonight—and pick up their latest pop offering, Urgency (Sidecho)—before they blast off to SXSW with U.S.E. and Velella Velella. In Praise of Folly and the Catch join in for a fun-filled lineup. Vera Project, 8 p.m. $6 with club card/$7
Saturday, February 25
Brazilian Carnaval: Show Brazil
Eduardo Mendonça and his troupe of percussionists and dancers showcase styles from the Afro-Brazilian Ijexá and Maculelê to the martial arts dance Capoeira to Samba-Reggae. Samba na Veia, Dora Oliveira, and Mestre Curisco follow suit at this wild celebration. Mountaineers Hall, 300 Third Ave., 8:30 p.m. $15 adv./$20
Some By Sea + Hypatia Lake + Izabelle + Tableland
Semi-locals Some By Sea make literate, not-exactly-upbeat indie pop in line with early Death Cab, Carissa’s Wierd, and Belle and Sebastian. Note the cello, toy box beats, and the way you can’t really resist their skilled arrangements and sweet love notes. Paradox, 7 p.m. $7 Some By Sea also at Sonic Boom Ballard, 2209 N.W. Market St., at 3 p.m.
Speaker Speaker + Racetrack + Key Note Speaker
Despite the repetitive nature of this bill, these three bands are not running in stylistic circles: each play unique and youthfully exuberant pop-punk. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $7
The Spits
You know the drill: so stupid they’re smart, so well-costumed their shows feel like theater, so catchy that nothing else matters. The Spits play punk rock that manages to be both highly psychedelic and totally stripped down. Flux Capacitors open. Funhouse, 9:30 p.m. $7
Supergrass
The British popsters are touring in support of their latest, Road to Rouen (Capitol). Showbox, 8 p.m. $20 adv./$23
Sunday, February 26
Dark Divas
Celebrate Black History Month at this tribute, produced by Seattle’s Nu Black Arts West Theatre, to some of music’s most unforgettable voices—Pearl Bailey, Moms Mabley, Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Dinah Washington among them. Triple Door, 7 p.m. $15
Nada Surf
We’ll say it again—Nada Surf’s The Weight Is a Gift (Barsuk) was one of last year’s most overlooked releases—so don’t sleep on the band this time, with excellent show mates Rogue Wave and Inara George. Showbox, 7 p.m. $12.50 adv./$15
Rogue Wave
SEE TALK TALK, P. 38. Easy Street Records Queen Anne, 20 Mercer St., 3 p.m. NC
Tuesday, February 28
Bat Makumba
This great S.F.–based band melds ska, punk, and samba for those who want modern flavors mixed in with traditional Brazilian rhythms. Cuchata, Ibrahima Camara, and Safal keep the Fat Tuesday rhythm going. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $8
Brazilian Mardi Gras: VamoLá
Marking the end of Carnaval are drum and dance ensemble VamoLá, along with live Brazilian music from Jeff Busch and Batuque, Planet Beat’s DJ Darek Mazzone, and more. So get glittered, grab a caipirinha and pretend it’s spring, already. Re-Bar, 8 p.m. $12
Dilated Peoples + Little Brother
Two midlevel left-coast hip-hoppers join forces for a night of smooth beats, smart rhymes, and utter tedium. Defari opens. Showbox, 8 p.m. $18 adv./$20
Robert Pollard
The most prolific lousy songwriter in America goes solo. Once for Kicks opens. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $15
