Wednesday, May 24
Ghosts I’ve Met + the Maldives + Drew Victor
Local country/folk trio Ghosts I’ve Met describe themselves as “a petrified forest with the bodies of Gram Parsons, William S. Burroughs, and Neil Young slowly rotating above the tallest tree, smashed guitars hanging in the branches and rings of hummingbirds with dust in their wings.” It’s too bad this is their last show before moving to New York! Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $6
Think About Life + Tennis Pro
Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $6
Thursday, May 25
Son of Rose
Fans of Kompakt Records–style ambience and the heady, multilayered drone of bands like Bardo Pond will appreciate producer Son of Rose, who makes complex experimentation sound like—literally—a breeze. Ear Venom opens. Rendezvous, 10:30 p.m. $6
The Thermals + Siren’s Sister + Siberian
As creators of the most infectious, unironically fun pop-punk album to come from a major indie label in years (2004’s Fuckin’ A, on Sub Pop), Portland’s Thermals pretty much fuckin’ rule . . . and their live show is no different. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $12
Friday, May 26
Dan Boeckner + Mohawk Lodge + Whalebones
Aside from possessing one of most hardcore names in Northwest rock, Whalebones combine Crazy Horse–style barn-rock with the drug-addled gleam of ’70s N.Y.C. glam. Also on the bill is Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner, whose rough-throated “This Heart’s on Fire” was second only to his bandmate Spencer Krug’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” as best song of 2005. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $8
Sasquatch
The kickoff of the newly three-day Sasquatch Festival is a killer. Everyone who missed the critically praised and crowd-pleasing Nine Inch Nails and Bauhaus shows last year can catch them tonight with HIM, TV on the Radio, And You Will Know Us By the . . . Trail of Dead, Wolfmother, Deadboy and the Elephantmen, and the Trucks. Gorge Amphitheatre, 754 Silica Rd. N.W., George, 206-628-0888, 4 p.m. $55/$165 pass.
Team Dresch + Libber
Don’t miss this show for two reasons: first, and most obvious, it’s the first club gig queercore pioneers Team Dresch have done in their original lineup in years. Second: Wynne Greenwood, the mastermind behind audio-visual concept band Tracy + the Plastics, unveils her new project Libber. Be there or seriously square. Neumo’s, 8 p.m. $8 adv./$10 All ages
Chad Vangaalen
Last year, the Alberta, Canada, songwriter/illustrator released one of the best debuts (Infiniheart, on Sub Pop) that not enough people listened to. Or, if they did hear it, they didn’t get it, which is a shame. Not only did he perform a stellar set of Neil Young–esque high-lonesome rock at the Crocodile last year, but he and his drummer also raked in some dough by busking at the Pike Place Market earlier that day. That’s right, they were serious. The Constantines headline and My Brightest Diamond open. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $10
Saturday, May 27
Breaks and Freaks: Bass Nectar + KJ Sawka + Kristina Childs + Osiris Indriya
Neumo’s, 9 p.m. $12
Nada Surf
The Barsuk babies have created quite a stir with their newest effort The Weight Is a Gift, finally pinning down a sound that has whimsy, soul, and distinct character. And we all know that The OC would never allow anything less on its soundtracks. Sonic Boom Ballard, 2209 Market St., 206-297-BOOM, 2 p.m. NC
DJ Rekha
The resident of N.Y.C.’s legendary Basement Bhangra monthly, Rekha has been named one of that city’s most important DJs—and one of the U.S.’s most influential South Asians (by Newsweek magazine) for her contributions in music and culture. Baltic Room, 9 p.m.
Sasquatch
They’ll probably frisk your whiskey flask (say that 10 times fast!) away from you, but even if you’ve got to pay eight bucks for a beer, today’s the day to do it, cowboy: Ben Harper, the Flaming Lips, the Shins, Tragically Hip, Neko Case, Iron and Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Gomez, Rogue Wave, and tons more kick out the indie-friendly jams. Gorge Amphitheatre, 754 Silica Rd. N.W., George, 206-628-0888, Noon. $55/$165 pass
Stylus
San Francisco’s soulful house duo Dubtribe Sound System gigged their last gig in 2005, but Dubtribe founder Sunshine Jones joins J-Sun, Kadeejah Streets, Krnl.Panic, DJs Candlewax and Manos for an evening of vibes that are sure to warm your soul. Lo Fi Performance Gallery, 9 p.m. NC before 10 p.m./$10
Summit Avenue
These local crooning, melodic rockers—who are as easy on the eyes as the ears—headlined a sold-out show at the Showbox last month. Oh, and two of the members are twins. Need we say more? Rainbow, 9 p.m. $6
The Valley + Spanish for 100 + Tall Birds
From the ashes of the Catheters, Brian, Davey, and Leo have reformed as the Tall Birds, scrapping most of the harder elements of their former band in favor of a Southern garage boogie. The trio have gigged relentlessly about town since this past winter and just finished up studio time with Kurt Bloch. High Dive, 10 p.m. $6
Sunday, May 28
Ministry
The industrial dance gods celebrated their 25th (gah!) anniversary with last year’s Rantology (Sanctuary), a remixed selection of frontman Al Jourgensen’s favorite tracks—without which there would be no Nine Inch Nails, White Zombie, etc. Revolting Cocks and Pitbull Daycare join them on this “Masterbatour.” Showbox, 8 p.m. $35
Northwest Deathfest
Unlike the aforementioned show, there won’t be a trace of a 4/4 beat in this arena, the Fenix’s second annual death metal soiree. Headliners Obituary, Sadus, Deeds of Flesh, Severed Savior, and 29 other “ear-spliting” acts will delight their fans and scare the shit out of post-brunch Pioneer Square wanderers. Fenix Underground, 10 a.m. $25 adv./$30
Sasquatch
Wins our vote for the most fun for your dollar: Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, Queens of the Stone Age, Matisyahu, Decemberists, Arctic Monkeys, Nada Surf, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Blue Scholars, and loads more close out the final day of the fest. Gorge Amphitheatre, 754 Silica Rd. N.W., George, 206-628-0888, Noon. $55/$165 pass
Monday, May 29
Seether + Faktion + Mercy Fall
These South African bad boys pack a punch with their melancholy hardcore style. Unfortunately, they haven’t received much attention, other than their perfectly commercialized music that has appeared on several blockbuster soundtracks and at WWE events. Showbox, 7 p.m. $20 adv./$22 All ages
Tuesday, May 30
The Alkaline Trio + the Lawrence Arms + the Draft
This punkcore threesome has grown up with the release of Crimson (Vagrant), focusing on powerful instrumentals and meaningful lyrics rather than regurgitation of the standard pop-punk sound. And they are able to pull off wearing priest outfits without seeming completely blasphemous. Showbox, 7 p.m. $16 adv./$19 All ages
BR. Danielson + Clue to Kalo + the Lonely Forest
Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $8 All ages E
Notable Shows
May 31 Elefant, Neumo’s
June 1 Two Gallants, Neumo’s
June 1 The Charlatans UK, Showbox
June 3 Pelican + Mono, Neumo’s
June 3 INXS, Marymoor Park
June 7 The Streets + Lady Sovereign, Showbox
June 8 Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter, Neumo’s
June 8 DJ Quik, Showbox
June 9 Mountain Goats + Barbara Morgenstern, Neumo’s
June 9 Hall and Oates, Paramount
June 11 John Digweed, Showbox
June 12 Johnny Winter, Triple Door
June 13 Fiery Furnaces, Neumo’s
June 13-15 Built to Spill, Showbox
June 17 O.A.R., Moore Theatre
June 17 Jill Sobule, Tractor Tavern
June 20 Radio 4, Neumo’s
June 20 Amadou + Miriam, Showbox
June 20 Joe Jackson, Moore Theatre
June 20 Gregory Isaacs, Chop Suey
June 22 Seu Jorge, Neumo’s
June 22 James Lavelle, Chop Suey
June 24 Kenny Chesney, Qwest Field
June 25 Melissa Etheridge, Paramount
June 28 Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Moore Theatre
July 6 Social Distortion, Moore Theatre
July 10 Dashboard Confessional + Say Anything + Ben Lee, Paramount
July 15 Warped Tour, Gorge Amphitheatre
July 18 Thievery Corporation, Moore Theatre
July 21 Suzanne Westenhoefer, Triple Door
Aug 9 Tim McGraw + Faith Hill, KeyArena
Aug 16 Ani DiFranco, the Met (Spokane)
Sep 1-3 Dave Matthews Band, Gorge Amphitheatre
Sep 22 Elton John, KeyArena
Oct 13-14 Queensrÿche, Moore Theatre
