Friday, Oct. 4
Floater has consistently released pop-laden rock to the world since 1994, and its latest album, 2010’s Wake, does not disappoint. The three-man Eugene, Ore., band has a cult following in the Pacific Northwest and even two Grammy nominations on their resume. “Breakdown” and “Matadors” feature the vocal-heavy rock that the group is known for. With the New Futures and Ghost Town Riot. The Crocodile. 8 p.m. $15. ALICIA W. PRICE
Judith Hill Where does one go musically after working with the likes of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder? Well, you continue to go up, of course. At least that’s Hill’s mindset. The former backup singer, who recently blew away The Voice fans with her powerhouse vocals, is stepping into the spotlight, and is set to release her debut album later this year. With Josh Groban. KeyArena. 8 p.m. $60 and up. All ages. AZARIA C. PODPLESKY
Laura Veirs, Tractor. See our preview
here
.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Wimps As fun punk bands go, Wimps are just about perfect. The Seattle trio builds urgent blurt-along anthems out of the most superfluous of daily annoyances—many of which result from accidentally drinking too much—and deliver them with an amphetamine beat. Tonight the band celebrates the release of a new seven-inch and shares the stage with dreamy pop act Chastity Belt, which you can read about
here
. With Pony Time, Babies. Highline. 9 p.m. $7. MARK BAUMGARTEN
Gary Clark Jr. is a phenomenal guitar player, but do him a favor: Don’t call him a god. In an age when electronica-fueled pop, hip-hop, and country music has rendered rock ’n’ roll a red-headed stepchild, the guitar-god moniker has ceased to carry any real weight or importance. Once, being counted among the order of six-string deities might have provided entree into music’s highest levels of fame and adulation; the label now hangs around its newest members’ necks like an albatross. The title has become synonymous with the word “old,” and an affiliation with rock ’n’ roll’s past could usurp Clark’s role in crafting its future. As it stands, Clark has the potential to do just that—his newest record Blak and Blue is a dynamic collection of blues-flavored rock that breathes new life into a very tired format. It’s not Clark’s fault that the public at large loves to recreate the past—we all need to come to terms with the fact that Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan aren’t coming back. Though no torchbearer, he’s not a throwback, nor is he rock’s salvation. He’s something entirely new and different, and while he may indeed be a guitar god, the former label is vastly more impressive. The Neptune. 9 p.m. Sat., 8 p.m. Sun. $29.50. CORBIN REIFF
Man Man While the latest album from Philadelphia experimental pop band Man Man has faced accusations of being its most accessible yet, the group is still planted firmly in the world of outsider pop—as evidenced by the live experience, which mixes the band’s cacophonous dance music with a lot of bubbles, neon, and the antics of leader Honus Honus, who is so committed to crowd participation that he will grab his fans by the face to pull them into his songs. So, yeah, I guess that is a kind of accessibility. With Xenia Rubinos. Neumos. 8 p.m. $18 adv. MB
Papa Roach Even though the guys in Papa Roach are probably filthy millionaires at this point, they still always sing about how sad they are. Vocalist Jacoby Shaddix is always about to “cut his life into pieces” or reopen his scars or something. He and Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day should do a “40-Year-Old Dudes With Eyeliner” tour. With Pop Evil and Age of Days. Showbox at the Market. 8 p.m. $25 adv./$30 DOS. All ages. KELTON SEARS
Bon Jovi is such a mammoth touring attraction that the first half of the band’s +100-stop current world tour generated over $140 million. Even the recent emergency gall-bladder surgery of drummer Tico Torres couldn’t slow the New Jersey rock vets. They’ll play Tacoma tonight with back-up drummer Rich Scannella. Tacoma Dome. 7:30 p.m. $30 and up. DAVE LAKE
Constant Lovers In a city with plenty of high-quality heavy rock, Constant Lovers stands out by throwing especially thunderous percussion into the mix. The band recently added local ampsmith Ben Verellen, playing what very likely may be the largest bass drum in the entire city. Macefield Music Festival, Tractor Tavern. 9 p.m. $10 adv./$15 DOS. 21 and over. KS
Fame Riot If Lady Gaga and David Bowie gave birth to two children in a disco maternity ward in outer space, they would be Fame Riot. These dudes churn out factory-fresh pop bangers and wear the glitzy getups you only wish you could pull off. The pants. Are so tight. Macefield Music Festival, Tractor Tavern. 6 p.m. $10 adv./$15 DOS. 21 and over. KS
Macefield Music Fest, Various Venues. See our write-up about the fest here.
Sunday, Oct. 6
Houses’ sophomore release, A Quiet Darkness, captures the loneliness felt by a husband and wife as they struggle to reunite along a California highway in the midst of a nuclear disaster. Seriously. In reality, the married couple that makes up the Chicago-based indie duo, Dexter Tortoriello and Megan Messina, are doing just fine. With Amp Live. Barboza. 8 p.m. $10. 21 and over. ACP
Le1f In the music video for “Wut,” Le1f raps while sitting in the lap of a buff gentleman wearing a Pikachu mask. If this hasn’t already sold you, let me assure you that Le1f is indeed one of the funnest rappers in the game right now. His songs are a suave strut through a bounce-tastic night at the club, bubbling with silky come-ons and trickling beats, especially on his lush new mixtape, Tree House. Opening is Antwon, a fascinating lyricist who spits over everything from classic, funky ’90s beats to post-rock and shoegaze samples—a pleasantly confusing clash of styles that forges exciting new ground. Antwon’s shows are rumored to be more punk than hip-hop, which makes sense in light of his upcoming tour with Vancouver, B.C., thrashers White Lung. For hip-hop heads on the adventurous side, Chop Suey is the place to be tonight. With Lakutis. Chop Suey. 9 p.m. $10 adv./$12 DOS. 21 and over. KS
Father John Misty, aka Joshua Tillman, has stolen the hearts of many music lovers since splitting from Fleet Foxes and going solo last year. His drawling voice and sarcastic humor—not to mention his groovy, possibly ayahuasca-addled dance moves—make for a show that should not be missed. With Kate Berlant. Moore Theatre. 7 p.m. $25. AWP
Blue October The last time Justin Furstenfeld and co. came through Seattle, they brought all the things you’d expect from an act that’s been pulling heartstrings via Gothic alt-rock since the early ’90s: drama, fog, and lots of feelings. It’s safe to assume tonight’s show will bring loads more of that, as their newest release, Sway, is their sappiest yet. With the Unlikely Candidates and Tori Vasquez. Showbox at the Market. 7:30 p.m. $30. All ages/bar with ID. KEEGAN PROSSER
