The Crying Spell

Friday, July 12

Formed in 2008 by vocalist Len Hotrum, this five-piece has been generating buzz since releasing its debut album, Through Heaven to Hell, that year. The band has since toured the world, sharing its guitar-heavy alternative-rock sound with fans hungry for ’90s riffs with a pop sensibility. With a history that intersects that of Seattle greats Alice in Chains and Mad Season, as well as extensive road experience, it’s no wonder this group knows how to put on an elaborate live show. Now touring in support of its sophomore release, Disgraceland, The Crying Spell can be expected to pull out all the stops for this hometown show. Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $10 advance.

KEEGAN PROSSER

Deafheaven

Friday, July 12

With Deafheaven’s latest release, Sunbather, the group has managed to do something pretty monumental: make a black-metal record that’s actually uplifting. The lyrics are still oblique and dark, but, as the record’s unusual pinkish-orange cover suggests, the music sounds like an ascent into the clouds rather than the genre’s typical icy, frostbitten pummeling, as pioneered by legendary Norwegian group Mayhem. Although the album came out only a month ago, reviewers have already started using the phrase “post-Sunbather” in writing about other bands. Ridiculous? Yes. But indicative nonetheless of the impact Deafheaven’s unique take on the genre is already having on the community. In a world that has torn bands apart for not being “kvlt” enough, the members of Deafheaven, refreshingly, give zero damns about their metal pedigree. The band members are as up-front about their love of the Smiths as they are about their more classic metal influences. Thus they’re able to craft sounds not beholden to any preconceived notions of genre, instead blazing their own exciting path. With Marriages, Heiress, Nostalgist. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. All ages. 7:30 p.m. $10 adv/$12 DOS.

KELTON SEARS

Eddie Spaghetti

Saturday, July 13

Eddie Spaghetti likes black T-shirts, cowboy hats, and songs about getting fucked up. When it comes to pulling them off, the Supersuckers frontman has pretty much mastered all of the above in his 25-year career. This month, however, Spaghetti will do something he’s never done before—drop a full-length solo record of all-original country-punk tunes, The Value of Nothing. Will the record, and the celebratory show at Chop Suey that trumpets it, stray far from the tongue-in-cheek shtick and beer songs on which Spaghetti has built his name? The chances are slim. And, in truth, who would want anything to change? Spaghetti is what Spaghetti does, and after a quarter-century, he does it pretty damn well. Prepare your devil horns. With Jason Dodson, Dead Man. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison Ave., 324-8005. $10 adv./$12 DOS. 8 p.m. 21 and over.

MATT DRISCOLL

Passenger

Saturday, July 13

After folk-rock band Passenger broke up in 2009, the group’s singer/songwriter, Mike Rosenberg, kept the moniker and took to the streets as a solo artist, busking in his native UK, his adopted home of Australia, and everywhere in between, perfecting his casual and intimate performing style. Between, and sometimes during, songs, Rosenberg is quick with jokes and observations about the city where he’s performing. Always encouraging concertgoers to clap and sing along, he breaks down the audience/performer barrier, making those in attendance feel as if they’re watching a friend perform at a backyard gathering, not a stranger onstage. It’s not an easy feat, but when you’ve performed as often as Rosenberg has, it’s almost second-nature. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618, thecrocodile.com. SOLD OUT. 8 p.m. All ages.

AZARIA PODPLESKY

Weedeater

Sunday, July 14

Good metal punches you in the gut. North Carolina’s Weedeater just kind of skips your gut entirely, though. The band members tune their instruments so low that the riffage jumps down and rumbles your ass. The Southern boys on Southern Lord records are the real deal. Case in point: Bass player/lead vocalist “Dixie” Dave accidentally blew off his big toe while cleaning his favorite shotgun in 2010. The accident pushed back the release of Jason . . . the Dragon, and the following tour was referred to as The Nine-Toe Tour. Dixie’s missing toe luckily didn’t affect the album’s quality. Full of sludgy doom dirges, Jason . . . the Dragon sounds like a mythological beast taking the gnarliest bong rip—probably exactly what Weedeater intended. Tonight’s show will likely occur through a thick green haze. When you go, just please be careful not to get your toe blown off. With ASG, Stoneburner, Serial Hawk, Crop. The Highline, 210 Broadway E., 328-7837. 8 p.m. $13 adv./$15 DOS.

KELTON SEARS