Prince Rama
Wednesday, July 3
If Animal Collective signs you to its label, you are probably the cream of the crop when it comes to being weird. Prince Rama—the product of Paw Tracks Records’ resident psych siblings, Taraka and Nimai Larson—certainly fits that bill. Not only will the sisters play a live set at the Rendezvous tonight, but they will also screen their new epileptic-seizure-causing film, Never Forever. According to the band, “If Alejandro Jodorowsky was reborn in 2127 and crashed his motorcycle into the decayed set of Thriller, it still wouldn’t come close to the terror that is Never Forever.” The film promises post-apocalyptic gym queens and robot pop stars. Coming off last year’s ’80s-tastic dance record Top Ten Hits of the End of the World, Prince Rama will make you shake what your cosmic mother gave you. Local psychonauts Ecstatic Cosmic Union will be jumping on the bill as well. The group pairs low-key synths and electric drums with spaced-out vocals, creating something Steve Zissou might listen to while tripping acid in his submarine. With Dionvox. Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., 441-5823. 9 p.m. $7. 21 and over.
KELTON SEARS
Crypts
Friday, July 5
Every time I’ve seen Crypts, lead man Steve Snere is usually doing something with his crotch. He’s up in the rafters, humping the ceiling. Maybe he’s sliding his hand down in there. Or he’s gyrating to the pulse of a giant skull projected behind him. Reason being, Crypts’ music is made for some dark crotch-rocking. If Dracula and the Bride of Frankenstein wanted to escape to a club to grind up on each other, Crypts would be the house music. I guess that’s why they call it “Witch House.” Fans of Salem and Crystal Castles will dig the heavy, gothic dance vibes and demon-possessed vocals. The night will kick off Crypts’ West Coast tour, on which they will be joined for the first time by Mark Gajadhar, ex-drummer of the Blood Brothers (R.I.P.). Joining Crypts will be Seattle hip-hop-producing wunderkind Keyboard Kid. As his name suggests, he creates all his beats using only the keyboard on his laptop. He similarly steers toward the gothy end of the spectrum, making tonight a must for anyone who owns and loves both The Cure’s Pornography and T.I.’s Trap Muzik. With Blvck Ceiling, Ozma Otacava. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 9 p.m. $7. 21 and over.
KELTON SEARS
Say Anything
Friday, July 5
After more than a decade together, indie-rock six-piece Say Anything has amassed quite the catalogue, much of which the band hasn’t played in years. Rather than let those songs remain by the wayside, Say Anything is brushing them off and incorporating them in their set on the Rarities and More tour. Though half the show is made up of songs from official releases, including ones from the band’s upcoming album, the other half is full of rare gems from releases like its debut album, 2001’s Baseball (when the band was called Sayanything), and early EPs like 2002’s Menorah/Majora. For newer SA fans, the show will be a chance to hear how the band has grown; for tenured fans, an opportunity to remember the melodies and oh-so-relatable lyrics that hooked them in the first place. With Eisley, H RV RD, I the Mighty. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151, showboxonline.com. 8 p.m. $17 adv./$20 DOS. All ages/bar with ID.
AZARIA PODPLESKY
The Tripwires
Friday, July 5
They haven’t put out an album since 2009’s House to House, but it’s not as though this Seattle group’s been sitting around twiddling its thumbs. So many of the band’s bright pop melodies, like frontman John Ramberg’s gorgeous gem “Big Electric Light” from 2007’s Makes You Look Around, sound like the Replacements meets Young Fresh Fellows, and that’s not by accident. That polished sheen is helped by guitarist Johnny Sangster, who’s engineered acts like Mudhoney and the Posies, and on bass is his brother Jim, who by no coincidence also plays in Fellows (now based in Portland). Filling things out is drummer Mark Pickerel, who you’ll remember from Screaming Trees and, like, 10 other bands around town. Suffice it to say it’s not often these guys get together, but when they do, it’s a special treat. With Cute Lepers, the Pynnacles. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. S.W., 784-4880. 10 p.m. $8.
GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT
Lemolo & The Kaleidoscope Dance
Saturday, July 6
This is the type of event that comes about when a handful of super-creative—and extremely talented—people get together to do something that pushes boundaries in the best way. It all started a year ago when a dancer/choreographer from Tacoma heard Lemolo’s full-length debut, Kaleidoscope, and thought “I can do something beautiful with this.” The result? The Kaleidoscope Dance, a one-night-only performance featuring Meagan Grandall and Kendra Cox playing the album in its entirety alongside live ballet performances by The BareFoot Collective and MLK Ballet. Oh, and it’s all happening inside a historic Gothic Revival church. Urban Grace Church, 902 Market St., Tacoma, 253-272-2184. $18. 7 p.m. All ages.
KEEGAN PROSSER
Jaill
Sunday, July 7
Where many other bands with less (or too much) vision might unnecessarily dress up a catchy hook with lavish effects and a sparkly build-up, this Milwaukee band simply says what it wants to in a gentle greaser-pop-mixed-with-light-tropicalia kind of way, and gets out of your face. At least that’s what it wants you to think. Listen to the band’s brand-new sophomore Sub Pop album Traps a second time, and you’ll hear a little delay here, a hidden backing vocal there—and what the hell is this awesome trippy “Million Times” song?! But the album’s simple-pleasure feel is still its driving force, and the band’s happy-go-lucky demeanor is the icing on its smile-cake. With Cosmonauts, Dude York, Chastity Belt. Heartland. hrtlnd.org. 8 p.m.
TODD HAMM
Huey Lewis and The News
Sunday, July 7
In 1983, Huey Lewis and The News’ Sports found moderate success, hitting #6 on the charts. But as the band informed us in its first hit single, the band members weren’t above working for a living. So they hit the road on a grueling tour (even coming to Helena, Mont., my hometown, helping my Uncle Rich prove to his disbelieving bar buddies that he actually was friends with one of the band members, who hooked him up with backstage passes). By 1985, the album had sold 10 million copies and catapulted Huey and The News into the top tier of 1980s rock. This year Sports turns 30, and Huey and the gang are pimping their remastered re-issue the only way they know how: a 32-city tour. Which is good, because Sports really should be heard live. The doo-wop and blue-eyed soul sounds like it was written for a Saturday-night house gig: simple enough to sound good regardless of acoustics (or aging vocal cords), with enough solo breakout fireworks to wow the crowd. If the weather cooperates, Woodland Park Zoo should act as a fine stand-in for a smoky bar. As for the house band, you can be sure they’ll be working their asses off onstage. With Alice Stuart. Woodland Park Zoo. 5 p.m. SOLD OUT.
DANIEL PERSON
