Music
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Cass McCombs There’s a lot going on in Big Wheel and Others, the latest from Cass McCombs. The double album includes three audio clips from the 1969 Ralph Arlyck documentary Sean; a cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Honesty Is No Excuse”; a bit of spoken word on “Everything Has to Be Just So” (which clocks in at nearly nine minutes); and two versions of “Brighter!”, one of which finds McCombs singing over steel guitar, the other featuring vocals from Easy Rider actress Karen Black. Elements of folk, alt-country, and psychedelic rock combine to give the entire record a laid-back vibe-appropriate coming from McCombs, a California native. With Meat Puppets. 21 and over. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 $16 Friday, December 5, 2014, 8pm
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Carrie Akre Carrie Akre has been a staple of the local music scene since the early ‘90s as a member of Hammerbox, Goodness, and the Rockfords, a band that also featured Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready. She has also released a few solo albums, most recently . . . Last the Evening in 2007. After a stint away from the Northwest, Akre is back in town and pushing a Kickstarter campaign for her Single Each Month Club. By donating, backers can sign up to receive lo-fi singles from Akre for three, six, or 12 months. Former Goodness musician Danny Newcomb is opening this show, so don’t be surprised if a few Goodness tunes make the set list. 21 and over. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave., Seattle WA $8 Saturday, December 6, 2014, 6pm
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Holiday Tiki Ukulele & Cocktail Shindig People who hate hearing holiday music might change their tune when they hear the tropical-tinged songs at this year’s Holiday Tiki Ukulele & Cocktail Shindig. To kick off the night, the Ukadelics, an eight-piece ukulele band, will play winter-themed songs with a South Pacific flair, most recently heard on Aloha Landing; then breezy jazz-pop quintet Lushy will perform its holiday album, Snowflake Surprise, in full. Luau attire and/or ugly holiday sweaters are encouraged, with prizes for the most cringeworthy ensemble. 21 and over. Cafe Racer, 5828 Roosevelt Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 No Cover Saturday, December 6, 2014, 8pm
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My Brightest Diamond “Pressure,” the opening track from My Brightest Diamond’s This Is My Hand, features a full marching band, group vocals, and of course front woman Shara Worden’s jazzy, operatic vocals. There’s an avant-garde aspect to Hand, her fourth album, and this song is a great starting point, letting listeners know they should expect the unexpected. Elements of classical music, disco beats, rhythmic grooves, and soaring choruses (some reminiscent of the songs of her sometime collaborator and label-mate Sufjan Stevens) carry the singer and multi-instrumentalist’s vision further into a singular future. As she sings on “Shape:” “You’ll never know what shape I might take.” With Rabbit Rabbit. All ages. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., Seattle WA 98121 $18 adv. Saturday, December 6, 2014, 8pm
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Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright’s voice is so gorgeous, he makes even the most mundane lyrics sound like musical masterpieces (just search for “Rufus Wainwright Does Gum” on Funny or Die and you’ll see what I mean). The classical-pop singer (son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle and brother of folk-rock singer Martha) has been blowing people away with his staggering talent for years, through original songs, a tribute album to Judy Garland, an opera, and contributions to numerous films. This best-of performance will be a collection of Wainwright’s top tunes, all of which are compiled on Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright. With Danny Fingers & the Thumbs. The Moore, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $32.50 and up Saturday, December 6, 2014, 8pm
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SMooCH: Seattle Musicians for Children’s Hospital 2014 Now in its third year, SMooCH: Seattle Musicians for Children’s Hospital 2014 brings some of the area’s top artists together for one stellar night of music, all to support and celebrate Children’s Hospital. Emceed by KEXP’s John Richards, this year’s event features Sub Pop artists, past and present: THEESatisfaction, Shabazz Palaces, Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, and Iron & Wine, aka Sam Beam, who released his latest album, Ghost on Ghost, last year. 21 and over. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $60 and up Saturday, December 6, 2014, 9pm
Gamelan Pacifica Cornish’s resident Indonesian percussion orchestra. PONCHO Concert Hall (Cornish College), 710 E. Roy St., Seattle WA 98102 $10-$22 Sunday, December 7, 2014, 7pm
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Kina Grannis After creating a YouTube account in 2007, acoustic-pop singer/songwriter Kina Grannis built a strong following by covering songs by everyone from Akon and Death Cab for Cutie to Fiona Apple and Rihanna, along with her own original tunes. A Super Bowl commercial contest win landed her a deal with Interscope, but she eventually left the label to self-release her material, a move that has yet to fail her. Elements, Grannis’ fifth studio album, is her most focused yet. Her sweet, airy voice is grounded by richer guitar tones, and her lyrics are still both intimate and universal, proving that Grannis’ talent transcends computer screens. All ages. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., Seattle WA 98121 $20 adv. Monday, December 8, 2014, 7pm
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Johnny Marr English singer/guitarist Johnny Marr is rock royalty. A founding member of influential alt-rock quartet the Smiths, Marr went on to perform or record with the likes of the Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse, the Cribs, Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Beck, and more. Just a year after releasing his first solo album, The Messenger, Marr is back with Playland, which combines the singing, songwriting, and guitar skills he’s honed over the years. His voice is engaging, and the grooves are tight. At only 51, Marr has a lot more up his musical sleeve. 21 and over. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98122 $27 adv. Monday, December 8, 2014, 8pm
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Tacos! If the band name doesn’t draw you in, heavy-metal duo Tacos!’s blend of thundering percussion and heavy guitar riffs should. Vocalist/guitarist Don Stewart and vocalist/drummer Lupe Flores make an impressive amount of noise for just two people, most recently heard on the band’s self-titled full-length. Stewart handles rage-fueled vocal duties for most of the album, though Flores occasionally jumps in and adds her own mad-as-hell energy, especially on album opener “Wake Up.” The album and the band are rough and aggressive-definitely not for the faint of heart. With Cardiel!, Big Trughk. 21 and over. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98122 $5 Monday, December 8, 2014, 9pm
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107.7 The End’s Deck the Hall Ball This year’s 107.7 The End’s Deck the Hall Ball is a veritable who’s-who of alt-rock all-stars and up-and-comers. England’s Royal Blood, which toured with the Pixies earlier this year, will open, followed by Australia’s Vance Joy, who recorded his debut album, Dream Your Life Away, at Woodinville’s Bear Creek Studio. South African quartet KONGOS follows, then TV on the Radio will play songs from its latest, Seeds, before Mind over Matter rockers Young the Giant perform. Cage the Elephant is next, followed by Weezer, the enduring geek-rock group that recently released Everything Will Be Alright in the End. Imagine Dragons, whose 2012 song “Radioactive” is still ruling the airwaves, will close. All ages. KeyArena (Seattle Center), 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109 $50 and up Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 3pm
HOT House Party The New HOT 103.7 (KHTP) proudly announces the first HOT House Party featuring your favorite all-time old school throwback artists Bobby Brown, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Ginuwine and Rob Base. ShoWare Center, 625 W James StreetKent, WA 98032 $48.50-$114 Friday, December 12, 2014, 8pm
