THURSDAY 10/25

HOLIDAY FLYER, HONEYBUNCH, PARAMORE

(Blackbird) Three years ago, when Holiday Flyer released a series of polite and demure songs like "Three Times Might Be Nice" and "Can I Steal Your Heart Away," they seemed to have mastered minor-key musical shyness. With a nucleus of Katie Conley on drums and her brother, John, on guitar, the band has matured since then, adding pianos, cellos, flutes and a certain amount of confidence. Even though such growing up has inevitably shed some of their quiet and timid approach to music, they have held onto the careful and quirky crafting of love songs. PHIL BUSSE

PRESTON SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY, THE SHINS, THE STANDARD

(Berbati's) Pavement has aged well to some, not so well to others, and it's the former group who will no doubt find much to love in Preston School of Industry (the Preston School was the juvenile detention located 40 miles outside Pavement's hometown of Stockton, CA). Led by Pavement founder Scott Kannberg, aka. Spiral Stairs, Preston School of Industry's debut CD, All This Sounds Gas, features the '90s alternarock sensibilities that Pavement employed, probably because a good third of the album was written concurrently with Pavement's last disc, Terror Twilight. Though they got nearly as much hype, the Shins have not worn themselves out; Oh, Inverted World is an album that's too fucking good to get sick of. Live, the band is so sweet you just want to squeeze them. KATHLEEN WILSON

MIRAH, DEAR NORA

(PSU, Smith Center, noon) There was never a better time to hear the soft, lovely pop croonings of Olympia's Mirah and the Bay Area's Dear Nora than in the sweet daylight. JS

FRIDAY 10/26

INNER

(Tonic Lounge) Inner's Jennifer Turner has had her share of false starts in the music game. From being Natalie Merchant's guitarist (a job up there with emptying portable toilets on the awful scale) to the dissolution of her band, Furslide, it's been a case of one bad step leading to another. That is, until now. Inner is her new outfit, and they have an album coming out in mid-November. It's an intriguing debut, housing Turner's growling voice (something akin to a wiser, more mature Chan Marshall) in all sorts of musical styles--simple folk, tin-toy techno, high-tech lo-fi. They're doing a big West Coast tour to gear up for the full blitz later this year--consider this the sneak attack. JAMIE S. RICH

KEITH SCHREINER, MIKE CRENSHAW, JUMBO, JEFF TROTT

(Ohm) Mike Crenshaw is one of those guys who you could just hug at any moment, or maybe take home to your parents. Not only does is he just a super-nice guy, but he also does all kinds of amazing community service that involves youth and hiphop. He's also a very talented MC for Portland's Hungry Mob, and we've all been waiting like first graders for their new record, which, rumor has it, should be out soon. Jumbo is a member of the Lifesavas, Portland's latest and greatest hiphop group. See them. KATIA DUNN

THE DRAGONS, SK & THE PUNKASS BITCHES, LOPEZ

(Blackbird) Even though their album is titled Rock N Roll Kamikaze, I am still forced to say that the Dragons are pretty goddamn good. They have the driving beat of a punk band, and the throaty nonchalant vocalist, but they layer over some insanely skillful heavy rock guitar. They're a concoction that, for the most part, works. KATIE SHIMER

THIRD ANGLE NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE

(First Christian Church) Sometimes musicians get shit for calling themselves "New Music Ensembles," because they'll perform avant compositions from the 1960s, and that's too early to be called "new." Well, purists, Third Angle is not only performing works written in the past 30 years, but the composers are actually still living, including works by the Detroit Symphony's Michael Daugherty, the Colorado Symphony's Jon Deak, and Portland's own Bryan Johanson. In addition, the players are going to be dressed up in weird costumes. That not only puts them in the "new music" category but, in the context of classical music, also puts them in the "punk rock" category. Defy and deconstruct! Woo! JS

CARISSA'S WIERD, THE DOWNERS

(Meow Meow) Just because of the nature of their music, it's rare for extremely mellow, indie bands to hold one's attention for an hour just by mildly eking out some lyrics and woefully plucking a guitar. But if anyone can do it, it's Carissa's Wierd, who are down from Seattle tonight. Their music is definitely in the above-mentioned category, but its solemness and quiet frankness is pregnant and rich, which makes up for the I'm-a-quiet-indierocker mentality. Bravo. KD

SATURDAY 10/27

NOSFERATU

(Klub Z) What if Nosferatu was gay, and the triumphant character in the story? Find out in Danny Diess' modern theatrical production of the world's creepiest vampire story, all on the goth's favorite holiday! Danny and the players (aka Freaks of Nature) will be interpreting the film through lyrical dance to the music of Coil and Skinny Puppy. Expect elaborate set design, and a cache of ornate creepiness. JS

FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER SCORED BY MISS MURGATROID

(Beall Concert Hall, U of O, Eugene) Portland's Miss Murgatroid sings in a low, lush keen, and plays cryptic melodies on her accordion. Her instrument sounds modern and artistic as it crackles through her amplifier, but also channels magical mystery and musty witchery, as if the instrument itself has an historic memory. Bella Neurox, her 1999 record with immensely talented violinist Petra Haden, is still one of my favorite albums of all time. Tonight, Miss Murgatroid performs in Eugene, scoring Epstein and Bunuel's classic silent film, Fall of the House of Usher, with a violin/viola player and a vocalist. It's absolutely worth the drive, especially since only she performs about once a year. JS

BIG AL, ILL OMEN, GUESTS

(Jolly Inn) This is a benefit show for Sam, a friend of Big Al's, who was hit by a car while leaving one of their shows on a skateboard. He won't be able to walk until December, so they're trying to raise money to cover his medical bills. In this time of charity, it seems important to keep money in the community. While it goes without saying that NYC needs all the help they can get, the fact that Sam doesn't have insurance seems like it ties into this whole big mess of Western expansion/imperialist greed, anyway. Plus, if you go, you can hear rock music and get drunk and shit. JS

OPEN TURNTABLES

(Heaven) At Portland's newest all-ages venue, they have OPEN TURNTABLES all day (until 8 pm) on Saturday and Sunday! I think that is so cool. So aspiring DJs and veteran mixers and scratchers, get your assez out there and make my booty shake before the sun goes down. JS

31KNOTS EP RELEASE, THE INTIMA, IBOBUKI

(Blackbird) The following is excerpted from a secret document obtained by the Mercury, consisting of items demanded of the Blackbird by the "rock band" 31Knots, to be provided for their upcoming show: "31Knots Contractual Provisions Agreement for Appearance at Blackbird in Portland, Ore., Oct. 27th, 2001. Itemized provisions are as follows: 1 crate of raw organic Boc Choy; 8 bottles of 'Travi's' Chianti; 1 acoustic curtain at rear of stage; 1 box of towels with Corinthians, Chapter 13, embroidered on each; 1 Central American exchange student for Joe Haege; 1 Loatian exchange student for Jay Winebrenner; 1 Merril Womack box set; 1 female Native American (mid 30s) for Joe Faustin Kelly; 1 dog, similar to 'Lassie,' capable of crying; 1 sterile medical grade plastic container; 1 can mixed nuts (with ratio 3-to-1 cashews); 1 framed picture of Gary Busey giving Nick Nolte the Heimlich; 5 grams pure uncut Colombian cocaine; 10 dental dams; 1 'Today' [sic] brand sponge; 4 lacrosse racquets; 3 costumes (2 Renaissance with wigs, one wolf-man); 1 lock of Alan Alda's hair."

HELLA FRESH FEST

(KBOO, 90.7 FM, noon-midnight) It's Saturday and you love hiphop, and it's cold outside, so what are you going to do? Clear out your furniture and have an all-day house party, because Dena Barnwell is playing the best of Northwest hiphop, all day long. You will hear The Chosen, Lifesavas, Cool Nutz, Proz N Conz, Ol Dominion featuring the tight as shit (and best part of the five trillion-person crew) female MC Syndel, Clan of the Cave Mack, LSJ and Fremont Slim, Wone1, Rising Sun, D.B. Womack, and a shitload more that will keep your warm home hiphopping all day long. JS

GITANE DEMONE, ANTIWORLD, PHANTOM LIMBS, DEEP EYNDE, GRAVEYARD SHIFT

(Paris) On 1999's Love for Sale, Gitane Demone, the ex-keyboardist for Christian Death, sings like she's doing gothic standards, with piano-bar vibrato. However, more recent recordings of her live shows document her invoking a powerful morosity, with a gritty voice as damaged and beautiful as M. Gira or Marianne Faithfull. JS

SUNDAY 10/28

WE LOVE CHEZ WHAT?: THE REAL PILLS, THE HUNCHES, THE TRIGGERS, PINKY SWEAR

(Blackbird) How the hell can you not love Chez What? I mean, Chez Sauce is the most brilliant invention in the world, managing to be simultaneously disgusting and delicious. The Real Pills (tight garage), The Hunches (more tight garage-like rock, with some topped-out rock solos and a very enthralling live performance), and The Triggers (punk rock in the call-and-response sense) love them, too, cause this is a benefit for the restaurant. JS

THE BREEDERS, PEDRO THE LION

(Berbati's) My co-worker, Ezra, is calling this the "Fire and Ice" show: The Breeders, with their rough history with rehab, fights with Black Francis, and side projects with Sebastian Bach, are the FIRE. Pedro the Lion, who are Christian, married, and live a generally clean lifestyle, are the ICE. Ezra thinks they are going to play together, and something cataclysmic will happen, like the floor will open and swallow them up. But what will probably happen is that both bands will play selections from their new records, (Pedro's, out last week; The Breeders', apparently pushed back to 2002!), Breeders fans will continue to love their fantastic pop music, and people will get drunk and reminisce about the '90s. JS

ABRASIVE FOLK: CARMAIG DEFOREST, ADAM BRODSKY, GEOFF BERNER, LUTHER RUSSELL

(Meow Meow) For three years, I dated a man who actually owned CDs by Raffi. I broke up with him. I will not be attending this show. But if he lived here, he might. (If he ever actually left the house.) JS

MONDAY 10/29

THE PERNICE BROTHERS, THE LONG WINTERS, THE FORTY-FIRST

(Berbati's) "They found her car still running in the garage/She'd come so far to the end of her life by the rusty motor and chicken wire," sings Joe Pernice on Pernice Brothers' "Chicken Wire" (1998). It's a characteristically sad song on a beautiful pop record, Overcome by Happiness. The World Won't End, Pernice Brothers' most recent release, is no slouch either. Pernice is a consistent, excellent songwriter. With a fine, breathy tenor and the help of his band (which features members of Lilys and the Sadies), Pernice's genius lies in a time-bomb effect: planting emotional barbs and genuine moments of heartbreak in a classic, orchestral, and deceptively pretty pop sound that feels like lazy listening until the rusty motors and chicken wire pop out of nowhere and fuck your heart up. JEFF DeROCHE

TUESDAY 10/30

DAVID GROSS/TUCKER DULIN/MIKE BULLOCK

(It's a Beautiful Pizza) This Boston trio of saxophone/clarinet, trombone, and contrabass will be performing some partially-improvised works that range from modern classical to "off the hook." Separately, they've collaborated with a long list of the world's most prestigious improvisers, but really what got me is that the trombonist (Dulin) recently performed Xenakis. If you don't know about Xenakis, he was this Greek composer who did all this crazy shit with rhythm, deconstructing classical music, and everything he wrote was really difficult and sounded extremely evil/jarring/fucked-up and mind-blowing. So if that's their sensibility, this show will probably be something special. JS

LENOLA, FIVER, SHIELBOUND

(Blackbird) Lenola is a neat band, with guitars that are more muted than restrained, pretty riffs, a bass that appeals to the autumn in your heart, and a quirky vocalist that sounds like he's coming off helium, but not in the Wayne Flaming Lips way--his voice is really rather calming. They make rock lullabies for the indie kids, and float between dreams and waking life. JS

WEDNESDAY 10/31

NIGHT OF THE LIVING FUNK: AQUAMAN, CHEF B, MR. FUNKY

(Berbati's) The Soul Stew DJs kick it Monster Mash style, so wear a costume that allows you shake your tail feather--please, no purple balloon grapes! For the love of god! JS

LOCAL BANDS COVER: THE MISFITS, THE CURE, NEW ORDER, THE CARS, GANG OF FOUR

(Blackbird) In 1984, Madonna single-handedly spawned a million-dollar cottage industry for black rubber arm bracelets. In New Jersey alone, thousands of 13-year-old girls died their hair, cropped their t-shirts, and ringed their arms in those bracelets. It was Halloween, everyday! But have you ever wondered who the rock stars dress up as then? Well, other rock stars, of course! Five local bands ape five of the greatest bands ever--Rally Boy as New Order, Vespertines as The Cars, Psycho 78s as The Misfits, and Captain vs. Crew as The Cure. And The (Dave Allen We Love You) Band--a collection of some of the Mercury's own musically talented staff, with Unwound's Sara Lund on drums--even covers Gang of Four. PHIL BUSSE

EPOXIES, TRIGGERS, LEGACY OF MORTALITY

(Red & Black) The Epoxies are a superstar rock experience, with lights, energy, and mischief infusing their rocking new wave. Melanie, their vocalist, must be as exciting as Josie Cotton or Toni Basil ever were. It's just like Nick Cage in Valley Girl, so dress up like you're going to the mall! JS

NYARLATHOTEP, POPEWYRM, BROOKLYN SOLIPSIST SOCIETY, MORE

(Satyricon) A very black metal Halloween to you. See My What a Busy Week pg XX

GOING TO SEATTLE?

Thurs 10/25: Styles of Beyond (Paradox)

Sat 10/27: Slumber Party (Local 46); The Breeders (Crocodile)

Mon 10/29: Takagi Masakatsu, Nudge (I-Spy)

Tues 10/30: Murder City Devils last show ever (Showbox); And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead (Crocodile)

For more info, visit www.thestranger.com

New Releases Oct. 30: Aceyalone*, Anniversary, Aphex Twin*, Avalanches, Richard Devine, Dntel, Einsturzende Neubauten*, Michael Jackson*, Karp*, King Kong*, Kittie, Les Savy Fav*, the Liars*, New End Original, Rah Bras, Rumah Sakit*, Seconds*, Silver Jews, Sybarite, Tomahawk*, William Topley, Hector Zazou & Sandy Dillon*

* = may actually turn out okay