WED OCT 1

Conor Oberst w/Jonathan Wilson; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside
While the "next Bob Dylan" thing never really panned out, Conor Oberst has proven to be one of the most consistent and versatile songwriters of his era. In addition to recording and performing with Bright Eyes—a once-upon-a-time solo moniker that has since evolved into a more collaborative affair with producer Mike Mogis and multi-instrumentalist Nate Walcott—Oberst juggles between solo releases (which differ from Bright Eyes records only tenuously), Americana project Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, emo outfit Desaparecidos (who formally reunited in 2012 and intend to release a second LP next year), and Monsters of Folk, the inactive but not quite deceased, audaciously named supergroup with heart-on-sleeve, indie-folk countrymen M. Ward and Jim James. What a mouthful.

THURS OCT 2

Mope Grooves w/Therapists, Psychomagic, Fine Pets; Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton
With three works of terse, blistering pop-punk (in the Ramones, not Yellowcard, sense of the term) to their name, the snot-nosed Youthbitch had a good run. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and Youthbitch's demise sees bassist, co-songwriter, and "aesthetic director" Nico Esparrago's relocation to Illinois. The good news is that the other half of Youthbitch's creative crux, Stevie Pohlman, is now investing everything in his anglophile side project Mope Grooves, a band that released an indelible, if bizarre, EP last year, and tonight celebrates the release of their first full-length on cassette, Weird Girls. Watch them closely.

FRI OCT 3

Bi-Marks w/Final Conflict, Negative Standards, Pressing On, Terokal; Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th
Bi-Marks have long been one of the best punk bands in Portland. They're also frustratingly elusive (the extent of their internet presence is a long out-of-date Myspace page). Not that their complete disregard for the status quo is that surprising when you take into account songs like the alienating (and alienated) anthem "Fuck My Generation" off the group's stellar 2012 LP, The Golden Years. I wouldn't have it any other way.

SUN OCT 5

The Body, Sandworm w/Rabbits, Hang the Old Year, Mongoloid; Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th
Local sludge luminaries the Body and like-minded Providence duo Sandworm are playing a slew of dates together in support of a forthcoming split 12-inch, set to be released later in October. Tonight, they're joined by local greats Rabbits, Hang the Old Year, and Mongoloid for what looks to be one of the most formidable metal bills of the year.