Wednesday, Oct. 2
Yellowjackets Felix Pastorius, son of legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, joins the long-running jazz-fusion quartet tonight, playing songs from their 22nd LP, A Rise in the Road. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., 441-9729, jazzalley.com. 7:30 p.m. $24.50. DAVE LAKE
Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze Squeeze is one of the great unsung bands of the ’80s, and Tilbrook was half its songwriting team. Hear favorites like “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)” and “Tempted” as they sound best: in an intimate, seated environment. With Joe Michelini. The Tractor, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599, tractortavern.com. 8 p.m. $20. DL
Thursday, Oct. 3
Colt Kraft Band This show should be a warm-up before Kraft and his band enter the Avast! studio to record a batch of their mid-tempo barroom ballads woozy with pedal steel and drunk on the leader’s rich baritone. Still relatively young, the band has been playing catch-up with that preternatural voice in live settings, but the new material—notably “High School” and “Minnesota”—are coming along, drinking songs you don’t have to be drunk to enjoy (though it helps). With Susie Phillips, Zach Michaud and the Washington Boys. Skylark, 3803 Delridge Way S.W., 935-2111, skylarkcafe.com. 8 p.m. $6. MARK BAUMGARTEN
Richard Marx It is not largely recognized, but the ’80s did not end in 1991 with the opening chord progression of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Rather, that era of obfuscation came to a screeching halt that same year when Richard Marx cut his hair in the middle of the video for “Hazard.” That was the moment when the pretending was over, for both the ’80s and for Marx. See, Marx has exhibited an affinity for the trappings of the rocker throughout his 30-year career—leather vests, grainy footage of smoky arenas filled with screaming fans, blown-out mullet—but he isn’t a rocker. Marx is a balladeer, and an excellent one at that, responsible for contemplative adult-contemporary pop hits like “Hold On to the Night,” “Right Here Waiting,” and “Hazard,” the shearing song about the deep hell of lost love and undue persecution, which features a mandolin. Marx has gone on to write ballads for ’N Sync and Keith Urban while continuing his own craft. He is still prone to episodes of rockerism, but his brightest, most truthful songs are still the smoldering ones. Snoqualmie Casino, 7500 S.E. North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, 425-888-1234, snocasino.com. 7 p.m. $30–$47. MB
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, 2200 Second Ave, 441-4618, thecrocodile.com. 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, 305 Harrison St., 684-0761, keyarena.com. 8 p.m. $60 and up. All ages. AZARIA PODPLESKY
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 on page 27. With Pony Time, Babies. Highline, 210 Broadway Ave. E., 328-7837, highlineseattle.com. 9 p.m. $7. MB
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, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 682-1414, stgpresents.org/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, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467, neumos.com. 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, 1426 First Ave, 628-3151, showboxpresents.com. 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, 2727 E. D St., 253-272-3663, tacomadome.org. 7:30 p.m. $30 and up. DL
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 (see page 44), 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
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, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467, thebarboza.com. 8 p.m. $10. 21 and over. AP
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, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005, chopsuey.com. 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, 1932 Second Ave., 467-5510, stgpresents.org/moore. 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
Monday, Oct. 7
J. Roddy Walston and the Business The lyric video for this Baltimore-by-way-of-Tennessee quartet’s “Heavy Bells,” off its latest album, Essential Tremors, features a record player that starts smoking as the song peaks—a simple yet effective visual for the band’s blend of Southern rock and punk attitude, capped by Walston’s mumble-heavy singing style. With Gringo Star and Stag. Tractor Tavern. 8 p.m. $10 adv./$12 DOS. 21 and over. AP
Tuesday, Oct. 8
Guitar Wolf If you prefer music when it’s blaring out of a garage, tonight is a great night to venture out. Vintage Japanese shredmasters Guitar Wolf will join the Coathangers, Atlanta’s premier lady-punks, responsible for penning classics such as “Don’t Touch My Shit” and “Nestle in My Boobies.” With Coward, Trash Fire. Chop Suey. 8 p.m. $13 adv./$15 DOS. 21 and over. KS
Mark Lanegan The deep-voiced Screaming Trees singer has had an unpredictable solo career, following his artistic muse wherever it takes him. His latest album, Imitations, is a covers record, with songs from his parents’ record collection alongside those from his contemporaries, veering from Neil Sedaka to Nick Cave. With Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss. The Neptune. 8 p.m. $26.50. DL
Saxon As one of the key bands in the new wave of the British heavy-metal movement, Saxon helped define the genre and influenced scores of important metal acts, including Metallica. The current lineup features founding members Bill Byford and Paul Quinn, who have been with the band for nearly 40 years. With Fozzy. Studio Seven. 110 S. Horton St., 286-1312, studioseven.us. 7 p.m. $20 adv./$25 DOS. DL
Kat Edmonson’s latest, 2012’s Way Down Low, sounds like a record of yesteryear—not in the production, but in the singer’s vocals: The Austin-based songbird makes jazzy pop songs with a vintage twist. Her voice is both fresh and timeless, at times so light it sounds as if it could float away from the music at any second. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333, thetripledoor.net. 7:30 p.m. $20. All ages. AP
