Wednesday, December 14David Krakauer’s Klezmer MadnessPlaying some of the wildest klezmer music you’ll ever hear, Krakauer is supported on his clarinet by beat-builder Socalled, who impressed the former and sparked their collaboration with a homemade recording called A Hip Hop Seder. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $15 adv./$18Thursday, December 15Brandi CarlileThere’s nothing complicated about the Ravensdale native’s self-titled Columbia debut. It’s a collection of solid twang-pop songwriting—a collaboration between Carlile and bandmates Phil and Tim Hanseroth—in 10 catchy installments that avoid girl-power cliche. Easy Street Records, 20 Mercer St., 7:30 p.m. FreeLate Tuesday + AmeliaHow does gentle coffeehouse folk fare in smokeless bars? The girls in Late Tuesday will show you, with quiet introspective tunes, along with the Portland-based Amelia, who are slightly jazzier. Tractor Tavern, 8:30 p.m. $7Steve Kimock BandOne of jam-band nation’s more recent favorites, guitarist Kimock and his merry crew tour in support of their new Eudemonic (Sci Fidelity). Showbox, 8 p.m. $18 adv./$20Voyager OneSEE FEATURE, P. 41. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., 5:30 p.m. FreeCris WilliamsonFeminist folk icon Williamson lives in Seattle and has just issued a new disc titled Real Deal (Wolf Moon). Barbara Higbie & Teresa Trull open. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $23 adv./$26Friday, December 16As I Lay DyingReviewer one: “Wow, I’m stupefied at how good pop-punk/screamo is getting!” Reviewer two: “AILD is far from emo, kid. If you’re just doing this to be sarcastic, you’ll get metal kids on your arse quicker than flies on crap, K?” With song titles like “The Darkest Nights” and “Empty Hearts,” you might say they’re both correct. With Norma Jean, A Life Once Lost, and Inked in Blood. El Corazon, 7 p.m. $15Degenerate Art Ensemble + Wayne Horvitz and Sweeter Than Day + Climax Golden TwinsDAG’s difficult-to-classify sonic melange keeps ’em coming in, and for their CD release show they’re paired with a pair of like-minded outfits, jazz vet Horvitz and sound-collage faves CGT. Why wait for Christmas for things to get weird? Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $8Felix Da HousecatThe all-over-the-map retro styles of last year’s Devin Dazzle and the Neon Fever couldn’t touch Felix’s electro-trash masterpiece Kittenz and Thee Glitz, but he still selects the best of his cuts—and history’s—live. With Eva, Colby B, and Austin Payne. Element, 9 p.m. $15The Honey BrothersNew York “country-glamrock-ukulele band” (just ask Google) the Honey Brothers tour in support of their debut EP, Honey 4 U. The Good Listeners open. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $10Storm and the BallsIf you haven’t yet seen torch singer/vixen Storm Large and her backing band of burly hunks, the Balls (an ex–Everclear member among them), do their thing with classics from Metallica to Sinatra, now’s as good a time as any. B-Shorty and DJ Shapeshifter open. High Dive, 10 p.m. $6The Wrens + Okkervil River + Pretty Girls Make Graves + the PurrsFrequent KEXP listeners and Pitchfork readers are often one in the same, and those types will be thrilled about this year’s Yule Benefit for the station. The Wrens’ 2003 album Meadowlands was championed by both as damn near the album of the year. The rest of the lineup, which becomes Harvey Danger, Mark Gardener (backed by Goldrush) and the Divorce for the second show, ain’t half bad either. Neumo’s, 8 p.m. $17. Also Sat., Dec. 17, at 7 p.m.Saturday, December 17Critters Buggin’ + Gabby La LaSkerik’s freewheeling ensemble is always a good time, though we can live without the precious opener, who plays a sitar and warbles. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $12 adv./$15Holy Ghost RevivalPower-glam not-exactly-revivalists (despite their name) HGR strut like they mean it on the new Bleeding Light (17 Television)—and glam being a visual as well as aural medium, live, too. Bring Back the Guns, Der Trasch, and New Thrill Parade open. S.S. Marie Antoinette, 1235 Westlake Ave. N., 7 p.m. $6Kiki & HerbThe most brilliant live album of the year belongs to this New York–bred “lounge act,” aka Kenny Mellman and Justin Bond, who mangle and transform your favorite alt-rock songs into a melodrama-laden stage show that needs to be seen by anyone with a sense of humor or pair of ears. That album was called Kiki & Herb Will Die for You (Evolver), but this is their “Resurrection Tour,” and you can bet they’ll have some whoppers from the grave to share. Moore Theatre, 8 p.m. $19–$34Super DeluxeRolling Stone called the group’s 1995 debut, Famous, “groovealicious”—find out how the newly released Surrender! will fare at this CD release show with the Pale Pacific and the Lonely H for all-ages, and the Young Sportsmen playing for the old folks. Crocodile Cafe, 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. $10 adv./$12Sunset Double-Album Series #3: Physical GraffitiJoin Sgt. Major, Garth Reeves, POTUSA, Water Babies, Plaster, the Long Winters, Mark Hoyd, Burning Rivers, Darren Loucas, Jeff Fielder, Kim Virant, Billy Joe Huels, Mos Generator, and Andrew McKeag as they re-create (sorta) Led Zeppelin’s 1975 2LP opus. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $10U.S.E.Newly signed to a U.K. label, one of the hands-down best local bands plays a week before the holidays. Sleigh bells optional; good cheer not. Headphones, Sunday Night Blackout, and DJs Franki Chan and Porq open. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. FreeBob Weir and RatdogHe’s not Dead, he’s just Bob Weir. Sorry. Anyway, the psychedelic veteran (in more than one way) and guitarist-singer-songwriter’s other band plays to a sizable, appreciative crowd at their frequent Seattle stops. Showbox, 7 p.m. $35Sunday, December 18Thione Diop + Yeke YekeA Senegal-born percussionist who currently teaches, Diop’s an ensemble leader and one of the most visible African drummers in the U.S. This free show is a great chance to see him in his element. Hidmo Cafe, 2000 S. Jackson St., 206-329-1534, 8 p.m. FreeHeather Duby + Aaron Sprinkle + Sera Cahoone + Some by Sea + Key Note SpeakerA handful of other Seattle acts join these do-gooders in Christmas Caroling to benefit Home Alive, a local self-defense and victim advocacy center. Chop Suey, 7 p.m. $5Monday, December 19Holiday Swing with the Count Basie OrchestraNo one swung harder than the Basie band, so don’t expect that to change. A nice holiday treat for fans of lush arrangements and rhythmic jaunt. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4800, 7:30 p.m. $16–$55. Also Tues., Dec. 20Tuesday, December 20Breakestra + Ohmega WattsSEE CD REVIEW [BREAKESTRA], P. 43. Crocodile Cafe, 10 p.m. $15 EUPCOMING SHOWSDec 30 Camper Van Beethoven + Cracker, Crocodile CafeDec 30 Harvey Danger, Chop SueyDec 31 Maktub, ShowboxJan 5 The Helio Sequence, Chop SueyJan 5 Vendetta Red, Neumo’sJan 7 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Emerald Queen CasinoJan 7 Disturbed, ParamountJan 18 Colin Meloy, ShowboxJan 19 INXS, ParamountJan 21 Toby Keith, Tacoma DomeJan 25 Coldplay + Fiona Apple, KeyArenaJan 29 Chris Botti, Moore TheatreJan 31 Of Montreal, Chop SueyFeb 22 Il Divo, Benaroya HallFeb 25 Supergrass, ShowboxMarch 6 Bon Jovi, KeyArenaMarch 25 Ministry, ShowboxApril 10 Queen + Paul Rodgers, KeyArena