SOLEX, DÄLEK, COBRA HIGH

(Satyricon) Dälek is the sleeper treat of the night, a samply hiphop trio that skids through its songs with the prickly elegance of a shattered mirror. Dälek, the MC, has a thick Jersey accent, and it makes his words pop out of his mouth and rub against his lips. His lyrics are stunning in their poetry: "I saw a man yesterday/Snub-nosed .38 to temple test his fate/And lose./...City gates long abandoned, hit ill chord type Hammond/B-3/Mind-altered state changes scenery/This all seems to be average/Hiphop/Watch as noise-floor drops into recesses and crevasses." The group's beats and samples are surreal, sometimes jazzy, and their innovation is prominent. They're not as off-the-hook arty as some "progressive hiphop," such as cLOUDDEAD or Radioinactive, but they are collaborating with Faust in the future, and mark their non-hiphop influences as King Crimson, My Bloody Valentine, and Miles, Monk, and Mingus. This is a rare opportunity now, but don't be surprised when Dälek blows up. JULIANNE SHEPHERD

ICP ORCHESTRA

(The Old Church) The ICP (Instant Composers Pool) Orchestra consists of nine of Holland's greatest improvising talents and includes piano, drums, clarinet, sax, trumpet, trombone, viola, cello, and bass. Their improv is a sophisticated melting of jazz and classical rules, and it works because the players are all obviously well-trained, but at some point said "Screw this," and just went bonkers on their instruments. Their compositions range from sounding like a lunatic toddler exacting a tantrum on a chorus of pots and pans, to a mob of angry string players who would like to strangle you with the well-rosined hairs of their bows. The music of the ICP is beautiful and disorienting, a crashing and ruffling of sound that will capture your breath in your throat with its creepy charm. JS

SPACEBREATH, 'TWEEN PLANETS, GODLINGS

(Blackbird) I must admit--the dreadful cutesiness of 'Tween Planets' awful name turned me a little off to the band before I even heard their music. (I'm sorry; you can call it snobby if you want, but there's no denying that a band name is the first impression, and if the first impression is that the band may be sort of stupid, a feeling of negativity is inevitable.) However, thank god their music is better than their name (from now on in this review, I shall call them the Planets). The Planets make calm, spacey pop with organs, very sparse effects used to create that fresh "hangin' 'tween the planets" sound, gelatin-trippy harmonies, and some pretty neat guitar lines. Unfortunately, the Planets would be so much better if their lady vocalist were not completely tone deaf. Spacebreath suffers from the same problem as the Planets--dumb name, better music--and writes simple, catchy rock-pop songs with decent harmonies, and an affinity for Mellencamp-style rock pedals that is sparing enough to be forgivable. JS

FRIDAY 11/16

TREMBLING BLUE STARS, ROLLERBALL, PAPILLON

(Dante's) Mopey or no, Robert Wratten's old band, Field Mice, is still one of the best, sad pop offerings ever. They have a retrospective on Shinkansen Records called Where'd You Learn to Kiss that Way?, and it's strongly recommended for the fluttery of heart. JS See Music pg 17

STORM INC, MERIDIAN, THE JOLENES

(Cobalt) If I didn't love Storm Inc. already, the self-referential sympathy sent out on her website for those affected by the Sept. 11 tragedy really warmed my heart. I hope their one-dimensional pop rock and Storm's deep voice and Debbie Harry-looking face get them on a Pepsi commercial or something. They're a corporate wet dream. KATIE SHIMER

PHARCYDE, SOULS OF MISCHIEF, PLANET ASIA, RASCO, KUTMASTA KURT, PEP LOVE

(B Complex) See Music pg 15

BASTINADO, ELECTRO GROUP, BLUE STAR CREEPER

(Blackbird) Bastinado is one of those bands that just thinks too much. They're really technically good--skilled, progressive rock--but tend to play so precisely that they become almost sterile. Hey Bastinado, have a few beers before you play next time, okay? KD

WOKE UP FALLING, SPYGLASS, JOE DAVIS BAND, STARTER KIT

(Ash Street) Spyglass is a neat band from Seattle with luxurious, throaty vocals at its forefront. They've been compared to Mazzy Star, but honestly, there's too much energy in their music to warrant that comparison--rather than drowning in the quagmire of lethargy, as the Star often did, Spyglass relies on strong melodies to sweep the listener along. The band's guitars are full of flange-y atmosphere, but it's done really tastefully--the flangers create texture, instead of trying to drown you in psychedelics. It's mellow, icy music, and aims for something higher than straight-up prettiness. The melodic tension in Spyglass' songs is what transforms it from "music my mom would listen to" to "music I currently enjoy hearing on a semi-regular basis." The Joe Davis Band is the new band led by Joe Davis, who also plays in the local band Pinehurst Kids. JS

SATURDAY 11/17

THE REMOVES

(Beulahland) See Music pg 15

FERNANDO, SAUVIE ISLAND MOON ROCKET FACTORY, RICHMOND FONTAINE

(Satyricon) Do I seem like a scary guy to you? Fernando is having a CD release party, but I haven't heard Dreams of the Sun and Sky because, apparently, Fernando doesn't want the big bad Mercury to have the opportunity to slag him off. But why would we do that? Who doesn't like Fernando? His grizzly-bear voice and use of Latin American sounds take what is otherwise passable barroom rock and makes it something altogether special. Backed by some of the most adept hands in town, Fernando makes for a damn good time, be it on stage or on disc. It's like music for an old fashioned block party, totally unafraid to get a little worked up and sweaty, while at the same time housing a bit of a weathered soul. So go to the show, buy the album, and quit looking for me under the bed, okay? JAMIE S. RICH

MIDNIGHT OIL, WILL HOGE

(Roseland) Many of you may be asking the question: Do I really want to pay $21.50 to see Midnight Oil, an Aussie band that had one real hit back in 1987 called "Beds Are Burning"? Well, I have a question for you: "How can you dance when our earth is turning? How do we sleep while our beds are burning?" See? That's what's called a freaking metaphor! You can bitch and whine all you want to about not having a job, yet you DO have enough money to ignore the fact that you're napping on a metaphorical futon that's engulfed in flames! Well, let me tell you something, friend. Midnight Oil has been touring FOR YOU going on 25 years! So if you ask ME, the time has come, to say fair's fair, to pay the rent, to pay our share! The time has come--a fact's a fact! It belongs to them, so let's give it bah-ah-ah-ack! WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY

THE HAUNTED, WITCHERY, CATASTROPHIC, MARTYR AD

(Meow Meow) During the late '90s, we had to suffer through the first wave of Viking Death Metal, a chaotic and angry noise emanating from Norway. But in the past couple of years, the Swedes have thankfully taken the upper hand in producing the second wave of Viking Death Metal. Like their Saabs and Volvos, the new Swedish Death Metal bands have maintained an aggressive spirit to the music, but have engineered a much more--dare I say--beautiful body to the music. And you thought Ace of Base were the only decent artists to emerge from the winters of Sweden? Try The Haunted. PHIL BUSSE

JOE HILL NIGHT: CASEY NEILL, THE CITIZENS BAND, GENERAL STRIKE, THE JOE HILLBILLIES

(SEIU Local 49 Union Hall, 3536 SE 26th) More legend than documented visionary, what is known for certain about Joe Hill are the two forces that most defined his life--his self-taught and self-inspired love for music, and his virtuous hatred for "bosses" and "scabs." Sort of like the Forest Gump of the Wobblies during the '10s, Hill was everywhere--if not in person, then in the rabble-rousing spirit of the songs that he scripted. In this benefit for Sisters of The Road Cafe (the proceeds will help pay for holiday meals for the homeless), Joe Hill Night celebrates its 11th anniversary with folky and thigh-slapping music from Casey Neill and General Strike; The Joe Hillbillies will play some of Hill's classic, call-to-arms ditties. Leave your Lexus at home. PB

MR. SCRUFF

(Naked Sushi) See My What a Busy Week pg 13

SPIGOT CD RELEASE

(White Eagle) It is estimated that only 10 percent of adult males over 35 years of age in Appalachia still have at least one of their original teeth. It is a telling statistic about their gritty lifestyle. Even so, there's something charming about Appalachia¨at least in the cleaned-up, abstract of foot stomping, grinning, and soulful sounds that have been mined from America's back hills. This is exactly from where Spigot, ahem, flows. They're a self-acclaimed urban junkyard country band: a twangy female lead, mournful lyrics, banjos, spoons all accompanied by a double-timed guitar. Local singer and songwriter Nann Alleman had fronted Mad Hattie¨a dreamy and harmonizing band. Joined by members from "I Can Lick Any Son of A Bitch in The House," her style has matured into a more quirky and assertive twang. She just sounds like she's having so much more fun. PB

SUNDAY 11/18

JEFF LONDON HOT COCOA NIGHT STARRING LARRY YES, ADAM SELZER, YOU

(Meow Meow) Hot Cocoa Nights consist of a lot of sensitivity and warmth in the Glitter Box (pink candy lounge) of Meow Meow. Acoustic music will be provided by Jeff London, Larry Yes, and Adam Selzer (the dreamy voiced leader of Norfolk & Western, who's been even dreamier lately since he's been wearing a beard and a weird, tall, green hat that makes him look like a really smart Russian Anarchist). Later, you might be asked to join in and sing a song, yourself. So if you do something lo-fi and mellow, cart in your keyboards/cello/trumpet (with a mute!), and everyone can snuggle. P.S. Hot chocolate is free with price of admission, and they can make it vegan! JS

NAPPYTIME JUNCTION

(Ash) What kind of a band might you expect "Nappytime Junction" to be? I was guessing hippie, and then I thought maybe 18-year-old hardcore. Wrong. It's metal, and it's pretty simple metal--lots of fuzzy, climactic riffs separated with the standard yelling vocals. Pretty much what you'd expect from a metal band named Nappytime Junction with a song called, "Dinosaur Codpiece." Yep. KATIA DUNN

MONDAY 11/19

UGLY CASANOVA, DEFACTO, LES SAVY FAV

(Blackbird) Curves are good. And while Brooklyn's Les Savy Fav remains a strictly all-male band, it's still one that features many zipping curves--in the musical and structural sense. The band's just-released Go Forth is a vivacious, constantly percolating jumble of tempos and styles. Singer Tim Harrington rallies between wail and whimper as guitars barrel, twist, and chime with frantic energy, and the mood jerkily skips from bemused observation to giggly resolution. Producer Phil Ek's artistic handstamp is all over the disc; the same grade of audible sparkle he lent to albums by Built To Spill and Modest Mouse is readily heard on this gleaming collection of songs. KATHLEEN WILSON

TUESDAY 11/20

BEACHWOOD SPARKS, THE GLANDS, LOVE AS LAUGHTER

(Blackbird) This is a strong bill, so let's not waste a lot of time extolling the finer points of Beachwood Sparks, whose new record trumps the nostalgic echoes of their last with a whole new language that transcends the band's retro trappings, or Love as Laughter, whose new record rocks every bit as hard as their previous two. No. Let's testify to the greatness of the Glands. Arrive early and bear witness to this Athens, GA band's low-slung, harmony-dripping pop. Their record sounds like outtakes from the Beatles' Anthology 2. It's that good. SEAN NELSON

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL, MIDTOWN, ROCKY VOTOLATO, SEVILLE

(B Complex) Rocky Votolato and Dashboard Confessional remind me of a Goo Goo Dolls video. The vocalists both seem like the kind of guys that would ask a woman they were dating if they wanted to "make love" instead of have sex. Having little respect for false emotion, I am not into these bands too much. Rocky occasionally gets away with his brand of "my girlfriend dumped me, I'm writing in my journal at a coffee shop," crap because his voice comes off as somewhat sincere, and the flowing guitar and drums fill up the background. Worse, however, is Dashboard, with songs like "This Ruined Puzzle," and "Again, I Go Unnoticed." They rely completely on their overly emphatic singer and toss in a few sappy guitar strums. KS

WEDNESDAY 11/21

OXES, THE BONOBO PROJECT, PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES

(Satyricon) The Bonobo Project hails from beautiful, nearby Reed College, and they play a mostly instrumental, rock-metal hybrid that's made up of chunky chords more than riffs. They play well, although their songwriting skills could be honed a little--some of their changes are sort of predictable. Pretty Girls Make Graves, besides being an example of a good band name, includes Derek Fudesco (ex-Murder City Devils) and Jason Clark from Sharks Keep Moving. They are a pastiche of punk and '80s radio anthems, with the occasional staccato, proggy guitar lines and drums (a la Sharks Keep Moving) and monotone vocals pushed out by screams (a la Murder City Devils, except executed a little more melodically). I can't figure out if it works or not because I haven't yet seen them live, but on record, their sound seems a little played out. Let's just say I'm totally stoked about Oxes, whose artistic symphony of ear-busting guitars can be read about on page 17. JS

HOOCHIE COOCH DOWN AND DIRTY JUKE JOINT BLUES

(Dante's) If you're lovin' you some ass-nasty Delta jump blues, then shake that tail-feather on down to Dante's for a little Hoochie Cooch--the new nizzity-nasty trio fronted by Nate from the Natrons. You may also know Nate as the one and only member of Frank Furter and the Hot Dogs, so that can only mean one thing: Hoochie Cooch is gonna start sexualizin', and when they start sexualizin' you can either high-tail out of there, or let that boogie out of your pants. And if that ain't nasty enough, DJ Dairy will be on hand to spin some of your juke joint faves, including the Stones, Bo Diddley, Tina Turner, and more! Hot diggity-damn! WSH

GOING TO SEATTLE?

Sat 11/17: Ugly Casanova (Graceland); Disco D (Nation)

Mon 11/19: Planet Asia, Pep Love (Showbox)

Tues 11/20: Taj Mahal (Jazz Alley); Oxes (Paradox)

Wed 11/21: DJ Krush, DJ Suspence & K.O. (I-Spy)

For more info, visit www.thestranger.com

New Releases Nov. 20: Ativin*, Extra Glenns, Guided by Voices, hollAnd Borthwick*, KRS-ONE*, Music for a Bedridden Manic Depressive, N.E.R.D.*, Jim O'Rourke, Papa M, Pinkie, Silver Jews, Wu-Tang

*=Hark! There is a slight glimmer of hope