WORM IS GREEN, ON! AIR! LIBRARY!, OVIAN, WROOM
(Berbati's, 231 SW Ankeny) There are certain songs you should just never cover, and one of them is definitely Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart." But maybe way out in Akranes, Iceland, Worm Is Green never got that memo. Their cover of the song is simply stunning. It's true enough to the original to prevent Ian Curtis from spinning in his grave, but still is performed with enough style and sexiness to make your heart stop dead in its tracks. Plus, unlike most covers of songs that are close to your heart, this one doesn't feel wrong. Like pretty much everyone on that island country of theirs, Worm Is Green is totally hot, and their music is a twitchy, drug friendly mix of subtle beats and soothing vocals. Sigur Ros fans who moan of only being able to see the band every couple years should not miss this show. EZRA ACE CARAEFF

DAVID FRIESEN
(Blue Monk, 3341 SE Belmont) Like wide receivers in football, bassists play a dependent position. These string pluckers seldom rate solo shows; few could conjure sufficiently spellbinding programs. Portland's David Friesen is a rare exception. In 1977, his event-opening set in Monterey earned him the Jazz Festival's most valuable musician award; in contrast, no NFL pass catcher owns a MVP trophy. In his four decades on the instrument, Friesen has gigged in every conceivable combination, collaborating with vocalists, flutists, pianists, and horn sections, but he excels alone, sitting on a stool like a virtuoso violinist as he ranges from delicate melodies to robust rhythms. ANDREW MILLER

DEEP PURPLE, JOE SATRIANI, THIN LIZZY
(Clark County Amphitheater, 17200 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield, WA) Deep Purple? Yeah, they STILL sling some HEAVY SHIT, man. I saw 'em on the recent "Bananas/Machine Head" tour… I was VERY pleased. Their complete rendering of the Machine Head LP was fucking brilliant and, in bits otherwise, they even got psychedelic… like really OUT THERE. Alas, tho', Steve Morse's guitar "pyrotechnics" were the only bummer. Sorry in advance to y'all still proudly sporting ye ole' poodle "metal" hair, but his cliché metal licks were just that. I KNOW he has his "identity" as an axe man… HOWEVER, when playing "Hush" Ritchie FUCKING Blackmore's guitar fills oughta be followed! Them fills ain't broke, so, Mr. Morse, DO NOT TRY TO FIX THE SHIT with your WHAMMY BAR! M'kay? Luckily, we were saved by Don Airey, who is sitting in for my favorite Artwood, Jon Lord, on the Hammond. I coulda watched his Leslie cabinet spinning all night LONG… when the call came to make it SOUND like '71, he tore the shit up. MIKE NIPPER

HAIR FORCE 1, COURAGE, CRAZY TRAIN, ARROYO
(Dante's, 1 SW 3rd) See My! What a Busy Week! Pg. 21

NUMBERS, OSC, NIGHT WOUNDS
(Disjecta, 116 NE Russell) What do you want from music anymore? This is what I think an ideal show should do: acknowledge the stupid monotony of life and then promise to make it worth it by offering something better. It's not escape, it's more like some complicated trade-off where you recognize that eight and a half hours a day of moving useless boxes or three summers of heartache are a reasonable exchange for laughing with your friends and dancing until you can't breathe. Numbers know about all of that and aren't afraid to examine the smallest details of service industry jobs and motorcycle crashes. But they're convinced that as long as you keep moving, none of that can ruin you forever. And fortunately the stabbing, pulsing restlessness of their music guarantees that you will keep dancing. Give in. ETHAN SWAN

LLOYD JONES
(Tillicum, 8585 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy.) Lloyd Jones hasn't released a record since 1999's Love Gotcha, but he hasn't been stalling in the studio, looking for just the right song topic (it's hard to top "Trouble Monkey.") Instead, he has been living the lyrics of his last recorded tune, the album ending "Highway Rider." Jones thrives on the festival circuit, where his boisterous funk makes him one of the most energetic acts on the all-day bills. The longtime Portland resident earned his first spoonful of stage time with the R&B ensemble Brown Sugar, and later teamed with the city's reigning blues brother Curtis Salgado as part of In Yo' Face. But for the past 19 years he's fronted The Lloyd Jones Struggle, a spirited brass-accented outlet for his sharp songwriting and gargantuan grooves. AM

LADIES NIGHT, BONOBO PROJECT, STONECREEP
(Twilight, 1420 SE Powell) Bonobo Project brings down the house with growly demonic vocals, math rock construction, and epic guitar riffs. In fact, they make me nostalgic for my old favorite band Lachrymator, who ruled Portland in 2001, and actually played a few shows with the Bonobo Project when they were just tykes. Well, it's the new Portland school now, and Bonobo Project is one of the bullies. KATIE SHIMER

FRIDAY 9/10

DIAMANDA GALAS
(Newmark Theater, 1111 SW Broadway, 9pm) See Feature Pg. 17

THE KINGDOM, BLITZEN TRAPPER, TALKDEMONIC, LOCH LOMOND, PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRO
(Berbati's, 231 SW Ankeny) The Kingdom are one of the more rapidly upwardly mobile local acts around town (Playing with friggin' Mike Watt later this month!), so if you haven't checked out their boisterous, dancey pop flava yet, they're worth a gander. Equal parts sweet and spazzy, their sound is pretty contagious. Also don't miss Talkdemonic, a one man operation of live drums, atmospheric projections, and gadget-driven embellishments. Not only is the music slightly spooky and gorgeous, but it's delivered by innovative means. MARJORIE SKINNER

CALEB AND FRIENDS, THE HIGH STRUNG, JACKIE, BLUE COLLAR SCOUTS, SOPHE LUX
(Bossanova, 722 E Burnside) Do not linger over that pre-show cocktail for too long tonight, or you may miss Sophe Lux! Their country-tinged soft rock can get a little flaccid when they "rock out" (softly, now!), but when they swim in their native waters of exquisite, glum lullaby, they're priceless. When you actually pay attention to the words, you might realize that they're singing from the reading list of some liberal arts college seminar (a fucking love song about Nietzsche? Wigger, please!), but just ignore it. 'Cuz there are also gems of self-indulgence buried in the lyrics. I mean, a line like "I'm drinkin' alone/ And I like hangin' out with me" is just the sort of thing I'd write in a journal before passing out and spilling the wine all over its tear-stained pages. Yum. MS

NW METAL FEST: METAL CHURCH, HYPERTHERMIA, LERKER, SWIL
(Conan's, 3862 SE Hawthorne) Give the middle digit to the high priced rock shows, and show some metal pride. Old school faves Metal Church impress with their overall tight metal-ability, while locals Lerker will most definitely pique your interest with their vaguely pop, yet overall pissed off sensibilities. They're an angry metal band that's having fun. KS

HELIO SEQUENCE, THE THERMALS, CATHETERS, KINSKI
(Dante's) Here's a fun ol' evening of post-punk, high-octane throwdowns. I am continually amazed by Helio Sequence's ability to create a massive amount of noise and chaos with only two members, a guitarist and a percussionist. The Thermals are pretty loud and crazy, too, but they have three members in the band. Cheaters. JUSTIN WESCOAT SANDERS

JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE NIGHT: JOSHUA JAMES, JAMES SASSER, SCOTT BARR, STEVI MARIE, JENNIFER LYNN
(Duff's Garage, 1635 SE 7th) See My! What a Busy Week! Pg. 21

YEAH! FEST!
(Eagles Hall, 805 E. 4th Ave., Olympia, WA) The mighty powers of indierock from Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle converge on the sleepy town of Olympia, Washington for a huge battle of get down and shake your junk trunk: Deerhoof, Glass Candy, the Gossip, Hint Hint, The Decemberists, The Hunches, Wet Confetti, Xiu Xiu, and many other reasons make it worth it to drive two hours and pay $50. And the proceeds go to charity. And the party doesn't stop all weekend long. (Through Sunday.) MANU BERELLI

JAKE FAIRLEY, TUSSLE, EATS TAPES, YELLOW SWANS, MERCIR, SOYLENT GRINGO
(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) This Canadian producer's new album, Touch Not the Cat (Paper Bag/Dumb-Unit), stomps down the runway like a 21st-Century Gary Glitter (sans pedophiliac tendencies). Fairley's tracks aren't quite as gnarly and malodorous as T. Raumschmiere's but they do pack a similarly crunchy, warped-bass wallop that effectively functions as sonic Ex-Lax. Fairley sings with an understated rock 'n' roll arrogance that works smashingly with the music's high-torqued swagger (especially on the "Sister Ray" homage "Mosquito"). I keep thinking this sort of muscular schaffel (shuffle) techno will catch on with trucker-hatted rockers, but so far, no, even though it's perfect for breaking speed limits behind the wheel and making you feel invincible. Maybe the cheeky, pipe-smoking Fairley will be the dude to send this music beyond the laptopperati. DAVE SEGAL

K RECORDS SHOWCASE: MIRAH W/THE BLACK CAT ORCHESTRA, OLD TIME RELIJUN, THE BLOW, CALVIN JOHNSON
(Nocturnal, 1800 E Burnside) See Music Pg. 23

KILL ROCK STARS SHOWCASE: THE DECEMBERISTS, THE GOSSIP, DEERHOOF, XIU XIU, THE PLANET THE
(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) See My! What a Busy Week! Pg. 21

THE GET ME DOWNS, TOPSIDER, AMERICAN EYES, JETLINER, SITTSER
(Roseland Grill, 8 NW 6th) The Get Me Downs rely heavily on their glammy, pay-attention-to-me girl vocals backed up by sweet, steady, and almost bluesy guitar. Local newcomers Topsider have a hard-edged rock sound with vocals that demand as much attention as their guitar riffs. Fun, I tell you, all fun. KS

SATURDAY 9/11

WRENS, SWORDS PROJECT, CROOKED FINGERS, AUDIO LEARNING CENTER, DOLOREAN
(Berbati's, 10 SW 3rd) This show will be filled to capacity, and that's just from the members of all the bands. It should be worth squeezing in anyway, because my prediction is they will all come onto stage and transform into a giant robot with a huge electric guitar/sword. The robot's mission will be to protect Earth with its sublime, slow odes to indierock. MB

NW METAL FEST: STABITHA, DEBRIS, INFLIKT, GARUDA'S MISSION
(Conan's, 3862 SE Hawthorne) Curiously combining women rockers with the word "stab," the Stabitha girls play eerie, goth metal, replete with the requisite keyboards and dark intensity. While Stabitha's name might seem like a gimmick, their music certainly does not. KS

I CAN LICK ANY SOB IN THE HOUSE, PAT MCDONALD, JEREMY WILSON, FREDDY TRUJILLO, CHRIS TSEFALAS
(Dante's, 1 SW 3rd) On their new album, Menace, every I Can Lick song's a really rad anthem and the harmonica playing is totally sweet throughout. Of course, PDX's best-named band is no Blues Traveler; this is surging, smart, unabashedly lefty country rock that's sort of like Molly Hatchet meets Social Distortion, and all I want to know is why they're not on tour with Steve Earle. MIKE MCGONIGAL

SHOPLIFTING, DAVIES VS. DRESCH, TAR + FEATHERS, JOEY CASIO
(Disjecta, 116 NE Russell) See Music Pg. 24

VANCOUGAR, THE GELDING, cootie platoon
(Twilight, 1420 SE Powell) Just when your hope in girlie rock had completely deteriorated due to Le Tigre's latest record release, Vancougar arrive to replenish some faith with their breezily honest Go-Gos-esque pop rock. They exude ultra-femme adorability but don't depend on kitschy outfits or uniform vision-inhibiting bangs in lieu of tight guitar solos, raw drums, and perfectly hovering reverb. JENNA ROADMAN

DREAMCATCHER FESTIVAL: WORLD, ALARMIST, POINT LINE PLANE, BEHALF, & more
(Wahkiacus, WA,

http://yumanora.gq.nu for directions) Normally I'll bitch if I have to ride my bike for more than 10 minutes to get to a show. So believe me when I say that the Dreamcatcher Festival is totally, 100% worth the hour-long drive (some of it on dirt roads). A sort of "Tropix 2," Dreamcatcher features the US debut of Japanese noise monsters Mutants of Gnar; Jackie O Motherfucker side projects World and Steele Street Jass Ensemble; and Behalf, which is actually a dude named Lenny who sings songs about (to quote the press release) "condoms in the butts of dead dogs." Less intense moments will include sets by singer-songwriter Daphna Kohn, low-key art noise by Assassins, and a solo acoustic set by Celesteville. Yuma Nora, Hustler White, and Alarmist will be on hand to blow your eardrums out, flatten the forest, and probably kill a few cougars with their noise. Celebrate freedom (or something) by communing with nature and noise. It's free, but donations will be accepted for road improvements. CORTNEY HARDING

SUNDAY 9/12

DIAMANDA GALAS
(Newmark Theater, 1111 SW Broadway, 9pm) See Feature Pg. 17

THE WATERY GRAVES
(Meow Meow, 320 SE 2nd) The Watery Graves sum up their music as having "mercurial deliberation," "old school instrumental improvisation," and verging on "barroom ragtime" and "inspirational elevator music." I have no idea what any of that means, but I do know that a) the Watery Graves have a great name; and b) they also hand out free stamped envelopes, paper, and writing utensils during shows, encouraging the audience to write to friends, family, ex-lovers, future lovers, Icelandic pen pals, and whomever else, as they listen. EH

MONDAY 9/13

THE PUBES, KUDZU WISH
(Twilight, 1420 SE Powell) Incredibly fast, heart-shaking punk is one of the Twilight's specialties. Tonight get a nice, hot serving of it courtesy of The Pubes, who are not--as their name might suggest--a curly collection of genital follicles, but a four-piece of screaming, thrashing, hard-rocking humanoids. And just like every event at the Twilight, this show is free, free, free as a bird. JWS

TUESDAY, 9/14

LEON RUSSELL, COMMANDER CODY
(Aladdin, 3017 SE Milwaukie) Grandpas are pretty cool. They're grizzled and grumpy and fulla history. At 63, Leon Russell is some lucky kid(s) granddad. Climb up on Grampy Leelee's knee and he'll bring it: tales of being a session dude for folks like the Stones, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, and working in Phil Spector's '60s pop hit session team. He'll tell you about his '79 outlaw country album with Willie Nelson, Willie & Leon, and about doing the record with your grandma, The Wedding Album. And like all professional musicians, he'll probably try and get you to buy 765 copies of his latest release, Moonlight and Love Songs, a collection of standards. Gramps Leon--always the careerist. ADAM GNADE

NW FRIENDSHIP ALLIANCE: ANNA OXYGEN, THE BLOW, YACHT, AL LARSEN, MIRAH, LE TON MITE, PASH, CALVIN JOHNSON, WATERY GRAVES, SQUEEZE ME I SQUEAK, GARRISON ROCKS
(Disjecta, 116 NE Russell) See Music Pg. 23

PULSEPROGRAMMING DJS
(MachineWorks, 1115 NW 14th) See Music Pg. 23

VIVA VOCE
(Music Millennium NW, 801 NW 23rd) See Music Pg. 24

CIRCLE JERKS, GBH
(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) The Circle Jerks are back, touring, and hopefully overcoming the "reunions can be goofy" bullshit, but as they'reÉ uh, "classic" hardcore. Sorry, I HATE saying "classic." I'd reckon they're gonna be GREAT! I reckon such as CJ is PRIMO Southern California HCÉ their frantic short-loud-n-fast SOUNDS, biting wit, and sharp political awareness all helped set the standard. And their social importance and influence is unfathomable, as it was bands like this that helped encourage, rather independently, a swathe of working/middle class kids into SOMETHING besides TV-pacified prickdom with an awareness, political and (ahem) otherwise. CJ didn't have to sing BLOODY anarchy footie chants either, they spoke in terms of street reality and the kids related! MN

WEDNESDAY, 9/15

ETHEL AND CLOGS
(MachineWorks, 1115 NW 14th) See Music Pg. 23

BLINDSIDE, ME WITHOUT YOU, THE KICK, NAMURE
(Meow Meow, 320 SE 2nd) In the hard rock realm, it's hard to think of a less threatening description than Swedish Christian metal. But even though Blindside attends churches instead of burning them, their songs crackle with snapped-elastic tension, each verse a lit fuse that builds anticipation for the chorus detonations. Like their philosophical peers P.O.D., Blindside is a polite bully, lining the floor with pillows before kicking their fans' collective ass. 2004's About a Burning Fire feels like an antiseptic Deftones record, with all mystical menace and tortured brooding replaced with palpable positivity. AM

ROY, SICK SICK SISTER
(Twilight Cafe, 1420 SE Powell) Roy's new CD, Big City Sin and Small Town Redemption, is not what you'd expect from members of hardcore super crushers These Arms Are Snakes, Botch, and Harkonen. It's country rock (I say that because I haaate the word "alt-country.") Big City is mournful tone poems of love and loss and things way too Midwestern for a band from the Pac Northwest. Pop-folk, country, Americana--whatever you wanna call it--it's evocative, moody, and damn haunting. AG