POP/ROCK By Erin K. Thompson
Ty Segall/Saturday, May 5
One of the Bay Area’s finest psych-rockers, Segall plans to follow up his acclaimed LP Goodbye Bread with three records this year—the first of which, out next month, is a collaboration with his touring band, titled Slaughterhouse. With White Fence, The Pharmacy, Tea Cozies. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 8 p.m. $10.
Gauntlet Hair/Sunday, May 6
The Denver duo of Andy R. and Craig Nice have been garnering attention for their inscrutable band name and their glassy, minimalist noise-pop, as heard on their 2011 self-titled debut. With Dana Buoy, IG-88. Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9951. 8 p.m. $10.
The Black Keys/Tuesday, May 8
Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney’s seventh record, last year’s El Camino, made them rock superstars; in a decade the duo’s gone from being University of Akron dropouts to Billboard charters, Grammy winners, and one of the few musical acts in the country able to sell out Madison Square Garden. With Arctic Monkeys. KeyArena, 305 Harrison St., 684-7200. 7:30 p.m. $50–$65. All ages.
Beach Fossils/Thursday, May 10
Pensive Brooklyn songwriter Dustin Payseur went through 12 drummers and three guitarists before settling on his current Beach Fossils lineup; the quixotic guitar-pop quartet is prepping their second LP for release on Captured Tracks sometime this summer. With Marc DeMarco, Seapony. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $12.
Mean Jeans/Friday, May 11
This gloriously fun Portland power-punk trio write headbanging, party-ready, rip-roaring tunes with titles like “R U Mental?” and “Let’s Pogo B4 U Gogo”—sort of a Ramones for the texting generation. With Juvenile Hall, Shakes, Sweet Pups, DJ Ken Dirtnap. Funhouse, 206 Fifth Ave. N., 374-8400. 9:30 p.m. $7.
Ramona Falls/Thursday, May 17
Since leaving Menomena in early 2011, Portland’s Brent Knopf has been devoting all his attention to his solo project; Barsuk released Ramona Falls’ energetic second album Prophet this month. With Land of Pines, Natural Selection. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 9 p.m. $12.
Deep Sea Diver/Friday, May 18
For now, local musician Jessica Dobson is best known as the Shins’ lead guitarist. Her own band Deep Sea Diver’s strong debut LP History Speaks is impressive enough to change that. With Ravenna Woods. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $10.
Lindsey Buckingham/Saturday, May 19
Seeing the iconic Fleetwood Mac lead singer, who released his sixth solo album last fall, playing a venue as intimate as the Neptune is almost as exciting as his self-mocking 2011 appearance on SNL‘s “What Up With That?” The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 877-784-4849. 9 p.m. $49.50. All ages.
Best Coast/Tuesday, May 22
This month, Bethany Cosentino and co. will release the follow-up to their wildly popular 2010 debut Crazy for You, the Jon Brion– produced, California-loving The Only Place, followed by an extensive summer tour across the U.S. and Europe. With JEFF the Brotherhood. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 877-784-4849. 8 p.m. $18 adv./$20 DOS. All ages.
Xiu Xiu/Sunday, May 27
Jamie Stewart’s latest Xiu Xiu album, March’s acrimonious Always, is jaggedly intense and occasionally violent, and has earned the band some of the best reviews of its prolific career. With Yamantaka, Father Murphy. Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9951. 8 p.m. $10.
Folklife/Friday, May 25–Monday, May 28
Big-ass music fest at Seattle Center that’s the subject of this month’s Reverb Monthly. Seattle Center. Free (suggested donation $10/$20 for families).
Sasquatch!/Friday, May 25–Monday, May 28
Big-ass music fest at the Gorge featuring Beck, Jack White, and Bon Iver. The Gorge. Sold out.
*****
COUNTRY By Gwendolyn Elliott
Kasey Anderson & the Honkies/Wednesday, May 2
Anderson’s gravel-coated voice and alt-country heartland sounds draw comparisons to Ryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen; he’ll sound even twangier tonight when locals Jeff Fielder and Star Anna sit in as “guest honkies.” With Widower. Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. 8 p.m. $12 adv./$15 DOS. All ages.
Cheatin’, Lyin’, Leavin’, and Cryin’/Saturday, May 5
Country gals Side Saddle present an evening of music dedicated to the genre’s biggest and best cliché—the no-good, double-crossin’, cheatin’ heart. With Mark Pickerel, Kaylee Cole & Kevin Large, Brian John Appleby, Lucky Lawrence, Roy Kay, Kim Field & Lisa Theobold. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9 p.m. $10.
Joe Pug/Saturday, May 5
On his recently released third album The Great Despiser, Pug’s country-folk melodies and artful songwriting recall John Prine’s offbeat style and Bob Dylan’s tender folk years. With Baliff, Ben Fisher. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $10.
Vince Mira/Tuesday, May 8
If you’ve never seen the “Johnny Cash Kid” perform his spot-on tribute to the Man in Black, he’s a bit older now, but his act is as polished as ever. Can Can, 94 Pike St., 652-0832. 9 p.m. $7.
Judd Lewis & the Loose Cannons/Friday, May 18
This local country-rock four-piece has a honky-tonking, loose-feeling twang in their step, with easy-rolling harmonies that round out the act. With Weatherside Whiskey Band, the Outlaws. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-0212. 9:30 p.m. $7.
Bullet Creek/Saturday, May 19
For a fix of modern country pop, check out the upbeat rock of this Snohomish band who’ve opened for the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Bo Diddley. Hard Rock Cafe, 116 Pike St., 204-2233. 9 p.m. $8 adv./$12 DOS.
Fred Eaglesmith/Saturday, May 19
With the release of his 19th album 6 Volts, Canada’s alt-country cult hero is as tireless in the studio as on the road, logging around 200 shows a year. Treehouse Cafe, 4569 Lynwood Center Rd. N.E., Bainbridge Island, 842-2814. 8 p.m. $24.
Jack Wilson/Friday, May 25
Wilson’s plaintive vocals sound a bit like Adam Duritz, but his lush and mellow country rock, alive with pedal steel guitar and rich harmonies, sure ain’t the Counting Crows. Wth Low Land High, The Lusitania. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 10 p.m. $8.
Rockabilly Throwdown/Saturday, May 26
As any fan of KEXP’s Shake the Shack will tell you, few things kick off a weekend like a good rockabilly showcase; with the saucy addition of live burlesque, you needn’t be anywhere else tonight. With Raygun Cowboys, the Twangshifters, Little Ray & the Uppercuts, Dragstrip Riot. Highway 99 Blues Club, 1414 Alaskan Way, 382-2171. 8 p.m. $15.
Ray Willie Hubbard/Thursday, May 31
Cited by the Tractor’s website as a “leading figure of the progressive country movement of the ’70s,” Hubbard quit recording for nearly 20 years, but his recent albums, including his latest, The Grifter’s Hymnal, anchor the songwriter as an integral part of the evolving genre. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 8 p.m. $15.
*****
HIP-HOP By Todd Hamm
Grieves & Budo/Friday, May 4
The Seattle-based indie hip-hop duo takes the stage for one last stateside show before pushing off to Europe with Brother Ali. With Prof, the BreakLites, Fundo. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $12. All ages.
Tech N9ne/Friday, May 4—Saturday, May 5
The face-painted adrenaline-rap of Tech N9ne tops this crowded bill. Things will probably get wild/weird. With Machine Gun Kelly, Krizz Kaliko, Mayday, Prozak, Stevie Stone, Neema. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S, 652-0444. 8:30 p.m. $30 adv./$35 DOS. All ages.
Pigeon John/Wednesday, May 9
The soft-voiced L.A. rapper/singer has won over fans during the past decade or so through his thoughtfully written songs, which can be just as touching as they are goofy. With Tanya Morgan, Cookbook, Playdough, City Hall. Nectar, 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020. 8 p.m. $10.
Curren$y/Thursday, May 10
Though his record-contract history tells the tale of a worn veteran, the New Orleans rapper has truly come into his own over the past few years, and is making the best music of his career. His new album, Stoned Immaculate, hits stores June 5. With Styles P and the Jets, Smoke DZA, Fiend 4 Da Money, Corner Boy P, Trademark, Young Roddy. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. 8 p.m. $20. All ages.
AyO/Saturday, May 12
This Nigerian-born, Seattle-area MC has little recorded material to base an opinion on, so tonight’s a chance to be surprised by a relatively unknown local artist. With Saturday Morning Cartoon, The Rush Project. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-0212. 9:30. $7.
Neema & Keyboard Kid/Saturday, May 12
The release show for the debut project of a new MC/producer combo. Expect to hear the wealth of their album, The Cigar Room, as well as some solo work. With Thaddeus David, Th3rdz, AD, DJ Swervewon. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $10. All ages.
Hoodie Allen/Sunday, May 13
With a name so cheaply pilfered from the national pop consciousness, it’s no surprise this New York rapper is basically a rhythmic cliché-spitting machine. He’s garnered a bit of hype, though, so perhaps he can prove this salty old penman wrong in a live setting. With Shelton Harris. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $14. All ages.
Schoolboy Q/Sunday, May 20
With A-list collaborators on either coast (druggy New Yorker A$AP Rocky and fellow L.A. torchbearer Kendrick Lamar), Schoolboy Q is sitting pretty at the moment. With Ab Soul. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $15. All ages.
Illmaculate/Thursday, May 31
The prolific battle rapper (2011’s Red Bull EmSee Seattle champion) brings his much-seasoned mike skills to Nectar with fellow Portlander Cool Nutz. With Only One. Nectar, 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020. 8 p.m. $7.
Bo$$ Fam/Thursday, May 31
The oddball local rap collective fronted by large, puffy-haired personality Duranged Pitt hugs traditional West Coast rap aesthetics close but stays on a mission to keep the party going. With Awall, Peta Tosh, Boombox, Second Family, DJ Peg. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-0212. 9 p.m. $8.
*****
DJ/ELECTRONIC By Eric Grandy
DJ Assault/Friday, May 4
Shameless DJ Recess celebrates his birthday by bringing out Detroit ghetto-tech godfather DJ Assault (“Ass and Titties,” “Who’s Fucking Tonite,” etc.) to headline this sure-to-be-banging “booty bass carnival.” With DJ Recess, Lisa Dank & DJ Nark, Blondzie, Sh6rl6s6, Kadeejah Streets vs. Adlib, J Business & the Wild Card. Electric Tea Garden, 1402 E. Pike St., 568-3972. 9 p.m. $10.
Fred-P & Anthony Parasole/Saturday, May 5
Low-profile promotions crew High & Tight make a public debut with this evening of outstanding deep house in the reclaimed brick-and-beam basement of Melrose Market. Melrose Market Studio, 1532 Minor Ave., 661-7979. 11 p.m. $12.
Addison Groove & Doc Daneeka/Saturday, May 5
Two producers who mess around in the dimly lit edges between bass music and house, where they find, respectively, footwork and garage-flavored dance-floor fuel. Deep Down Lounge, 126 S. Jackson St., 682-3242. 9:30 p.m. $12.
Black Moth Super Rainbow/Tuesday, May 8
The full band of weirdo electronic producer Tobacco, BMSR takes a less beat-oriented, but similarly stoned, analog approach to their slowly melting psych grooves. With Lumerians, Pictorials. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $13.
Jacques Renault/Thursday, May 10
A smooth pusher of nu-disco grooves, solo and with duo Runaway, for labels including DFA, Wurst Edits, and RVNG Intl., expect Renault to warm nicely to the Woods’ loft-party vibe. With Sean Majors, Blueeyedsoul, Nark. The Woods, 1512 11th Ave., Level 3, 324-7467. 10 p.m.
Light Asylum/Friday, May 11
Shannon Funchess—ex-Seattle funk rocker (with Imij) and more recent member of !!!—taps into darker synth-rock veins with Light Asylum. It’s gloomy, dramatic stuff, well-suited for this second night of Actual Pain/Second Sight’s “Psychic Circle” event. With Litanic Mask, Second Sight DJs. Electric Tea Garden, 1402 E. Pike St., 568-3972. 10 p.m. $10.
Demdike Stare/Saturday, May 12
A record-collector DJ and a techno producer teamed up to make dark, ambient hiss with only the faintest hints of sampled beats or melodies. With Tropic of Cancer, A Story of Rats, S4NTA_MU3RTE. Black Lodge. 9 p.m. $10.
Bassnectar/Saturday, May 12
Pitchfork was making fun of Bassnectar’s witless drops when Skrillex was still in screamo-band Pampers; Ghostland Observatory makes electronic music for people who’d prefer a Led Zep laser show. Of course their show’s at a 5,600-capacity venue. With VibeSquaD, Mr. Projectile. WaMu Theater, 800 Occidental Ave. S., 381-7555. 7 p.m. $35. All ages.
Monster Planet/Monday, May 14
An evening of live ambient improvisation and B-monster-movie projections at the Pike Place Market cabaret, headlined by serious sound engineer Vance Galloway. Have a cocktail or three and zone out. With The Googly, Justin Byrnes, Albatronics, Brian Oblivion. Can Can, 94 Pike St., 652-0832. 9 p.m. Free.
Agaric & [A]ppendics Shuffle/Friday, May 18
Two producers of smart foot-shuffling and finger-snapping house tunes headline Sweatbox and Innreflight’s latest Drop monthly at Lo-Fi. Expect an exceptionally warm and friendly dance floor. Lo-Fi Performance Gallery, 429 Eastlake Ave., 254-2824. 9 p.m. $13.
*****
THE HEAVIES By Dave Lake
DragonForce/Saturday, May 5
Like Iron Maiden on Four Loko, DragonForce loves dexterous guitar solos as much as Xbox, and their frenetic, high-fructose power metal receives as many cheers as jeers from critics. They’re touring in support of their fifth album, The Power Within, the first featuring new vocalist Marc Hudson. With Holy Grail, Huntress, Spare Me Poseidon. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. 6:30 p.m. $18 adv./$20 DOS.
Van Halen/Saturday, May 5
David Lee Roth rejoins Van Halen for a celebration of their early, most-loved material, which you’ll get to hear so long as you don’t mind sitting through a bunch of songs from their recent A Different Kind of Truth. No Sammy songs, and no Michael Anthony either, but you do get Kool & the Gang opening. Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., 253-272-3663. 7:30 p.m. $49.50–$149.50. All ages.
Meshuggah/Wednesday, May 9
The Swedish band with a Yiddish name has been playing heavy music since 1987, most recently incorporating jazz influences and complicated polyrhythms into their brand of extreme metal. Plus, they use guitars with eight strings, which is, like, two strings heavier than most other metal bands. With Baroness, Decapitated. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. $25 adv./$28 DOS. All ages.
The Dead Milkmen/Friday, May 11
Jangly, sarcastic, and straight outta Philly, Dead Milkmen found brief success in the ’80s on the back of “Punk Rock Girl,” one of the decade’s great singles, but they’ve always had one foot firmly planted in the underground. The band reunited last year to issue The King in Yellow, their first album in 16 years, and tonight’s show is one of only three on the West Coast. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. 8 p.m. $20 adv./$25 DOS.
X/Saturday, May 12
Celebrating 35 years as a band, X will play Seattle with their original lineup before heading overseas to support Pearl Jam. Their debut Los Angeles still sounds just as urgent and important as it did at its 1980 release. With the Suicide Notes. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. $25.
Deadkill/Thursday, May 17
Featuring former and current members of Absolute Monarchs!, Himsa, and the Meices, Deadkill puts on an incendiary live show. They’re also the latest signees to Good to Die Records, and their brand of in-your-face old-school punk rock fits right in at the label. With Grenades, Battle Stations, Strap Straps. Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $8.
7 Horns 7 Eyes/Saturday, May 19
This progressive death-metal five-piece will celebrate the release of their debut album Throes of Absolution before touring the West Coast with labelmates Stealing Axion. You can marvel at the band’s technical virtuosity on record, but it’s best experienced live at ear-pummeling volumes. With IDOLS, Spare Me Poseidon, Numbers. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. 8 p.m. $8 adv./$10 DOS. All ages.
The Avengers/Tuesday, May 22
San Francisco’s legendary punk band, one of the first fronted by a woman, celebrates the rerelease of their long-out-of-print self-titled 1983 debut, better known as The Pink Album. Queer punks Pansy Division also are on the bill. With Industry People. Funhouse, 206 Fifth Ave. N., 374-8400. 9:30 p.m. $10 adv./$12 DOS.
Destruction/Wednesday, May 30
These German thrash-metal vets celebrate 30 years together with a stop in Seattle, where they’ll support their 11th album, last year’s Day of Reckoning. With Warbringer, Vital Remains, Pathology, Coven, Beneath All Kaos. Studio Seven, 110 S. Horton St., 286-1312. 6:30 p.m. $17 adv./$20 DOS. All ages.
