THURSDAY NOVEMBER 08

SPIRITUALIZED

(3 pm, Music Millennium; Roseland, 7 pm) See Music pg 15

THE FASCINATION, ELIZABETH ELMORE, ANDI CAMP

(Blackbird) See Music pg 15

YO LA TENGO & THE FILMS OF JEAN PAINLEVÉ

(Guild Theatre) One can only guess what Yo La Tengo has in store for the early, surrealist nature films of Jean Painlevé, but it will probably be beautiful. This show, when compared to the scale of their popularity, is so small it might as well be held in my bathroom. See My What a Busy Week pg 13

31KNOTS, MADE FOR TV MOVIE, THE LIARS

(Meow Meow) Last chance to see NYC's crazily moustached, impassioned dance-punk band, The Liars, before they go back East. Also, last chance to check out the grumbling, distorted outbursts of Made for TV Movie before they hole up in their underground practice space/recording studio, to emerge months from now with sunless skin and an undoubtedly amazing new record. JULIANNE SHEPHERD

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 09

HUDSON FALCONS, THE AMAZOMBIES, STINK & LINGER

(Meow Meow) New Jersey's Hudson Falcons play self-righteous hardcore with lots of melody, buckets of sentiment, and a strong sense of musicianship. The guitars are solid, the band's four players all sing, and the lyrics--while brash and at times political in that idealistic 10th-grader way that makes hardcore so sweetly unsophisticated--are earnest and self-assured. JEFF DeROCHE

ETHOS QUARTET DOES SHOSTAKOVICH

(Old Church, 7:30 pm) Shostakovich was a genius who spent much of his career dodging the smearing/artistic rule of Stalin, who had many of Shostakovich's friends murdered but, for some reason, spared the composer. I'm not sure why, possibly because I'm only halfway through Shostakovich's memoirs, or maybe because no one could understand what Stalin's motives were for anything. I mean, the man committed genocide. So anyway, Shostakovich is one of the best composers for stringed instruments, because he always made them sound frenzied and bony. JS

PINBACK, BOILERMAKER, SWORDS PROJECT

(Berbati's) For years, San Diego's Boilermaker has been writing great, punky pop songs, albeit slightly too "Touched by an Emo" for my tastes. It's because, though they influenced Jimmy Eat World, it is bands like J.E.W. that sold out and spoiled emo for anyone grossed out by the corporate saturation of a genre nearly a decade after that genre died--which is why Boilermaker should kick J.E.W.'s ass, like right now. (Also, maybe the entirety of the Vagrant Records roster, too, please.) JS See CD Review pg 15

HELIO SEQUENCE, MENOMENA

(Ohm) Menomena, part of the metro area's artful but unfortunately obscure Cut and Paste Collective, writes extraordinarily dreamy songs with broken vocals, patient piano lines, excellent drumming, and magnetic bass. Interestingly, when they play live, they end up sounding more like a remix album of themselves, rather than the pared down, organic version of their record. The band is really talented; their live performance certainly needs a little time to fill out and congeal (and hopefully drop the reverb/flange), but they glimmer with originality and true musical vision. In the studio, however, they're an altogether different story--they clip loose elements of drum 'n' bass with static-plaited vocals, and their whole record sounds like it was recorded in a hot water bottle. If they're selling their CDs at this show, do yourself a favor and buy one. JS

GREENHORNES, BURNING BRIDES, HUNCHES

(Satyricon) The members of Burning Brides, the metallic, punk-fortified trio from Philly, wrap their fists around typically tasty influences (Bleach-era Nirvana, the ever-reliable Sabbath) and sucker punch you with a surprisingly smart sense of dynamic melody and almost-innovative, guttural guitar lines. The Brides come off so well because they don't let their adolescent influences overshadow their current ambitions. The Southern-fried '70s swagger of headliner Stagger Lee will be the perfect side dish for a stick-to-yer-ribs night of relishable rock. HANNAH LEVIN

CUSPIDOR, WEIGH BROWN, STEVE KRAMP

(Joy, 32nd & NE Killingsworth) It's like this. In Guatemala, there's a drought. Many people are in danger of starving to death. But we Americans and the rest of the world are so caught up in this whole terrorism/Sept. 11 thing, that we haven't really noticed. Not that we shouldn't be caught up in it, or that I'm trying to guilt you into being concerned about Guatemala, because it's not like I'm on the next plane there or anything. But here's a little thing you can do: Steve Kramp, Portland's original heartache, will sing some chilling melodies, and Cuspidor and Weigh Brown will also be doing some acoustic or experimental stuff, to benefit people there. It'll be fun, guilt-free, and progressive. KATIA DUNN

GAZA STRIPPERS, FIREBALLS OF FREEDOM, PARTY TIME

(Cobalt) Party Time is pretty much that--music for parties with kegs and chicks in bikinis--but don't worry, it still manages to have some class. It's sloppy rock, with the insane drumming of John Sherman and the crazy vocals of the Owners' Mike Heiges. The Gaza Strippers are typical jammy rock with a Queen-esque singer, but lacking the necessary bravado and ending up sounding kinda whiny. KATIE SHIMER

LACHRYMATOR, SWARMING HORDES, THE BONOBO PROJECT

(Blackbird) See Music pg 15

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10

ALL-GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND, FAUNA POLLY, THE S.C.U.M. BAND

(Joy) Been there yet? It's the new art/music venue on Killingsworth, until now one of the most musically lacking streets in Portland. They're showcasing the joyful pop of the All Girl Summer Fun Band--unless you're Satan, you can't help but love them. Also check out the rough around the edges--but cute--plucked vs. distorted guitar and young-kid-style punk rock vocals of Fauna Polly. KS

BLARG, THE PIRATES, IVAN KLIPSTEIN

(The Pond) Ivan Klipstein's voice can sound like he's verging on laryngitis, and he makes some great harmonies, blending hiphop beats with major chord pop music. For some reason, that makes him seem like he's slightly more sincere, or that you want to hug him because he's so little and cute, like a furry baby chicken! He also does some nasally spoken word to a backdrop of highly annoying blues riffs, but what are you gonna do, the guy's from Madison. JS

SUPERCHUNK, THE GOOD LIFE, RILO KILEY

(B Complex) The Good Life is the refined and quietly beautiful pop project of Cursive frontman Tim Kasher. Cursive fans will note that Kasher's primal stage energy and raw emotionalism make for an awesome live spectacle, but those who haven't seen the Good Life yet may be as surprised as when I first saw them. The Good Life is superior to Cursive. Kasher's investment feels equally raw and real in the Good Life, and the songs are more sophisticated, with less bombast and more excellent melody. He sings mostly in his rich, buttery mid-range, and the love songs are terribly moving and sad. JDR

SARAH DOUGHER, TAMI HART, THE DIMES

(Meow Meow) Ms. Sarah Dougher is like a fragrant tea bag steeped in a milky cup of cred. There's her Cadallaca-and-the-Crabs pedigree, and the subsequent connections/comparisons to Sleater-Kinney. There's her whole Olympia/ Portland/Ladyfest/grrrl rock-punk-folk background. And there are her recent releases on K and Mr. Lady (the thoughtful Day One; the rich and melodic The Walls Ablaze; and her new album, Bluff), which showcase Dougher's intelligent songwriting and quirkily beautiful alto. Her live shows are bare and lovely, and they bring a sense of calm and clarity to those in the crowd. MIN LIAO

TONY MANGINI SHOW, DJ SOL

(Fez) For all y'all who miss the kink of funk and the hump of '70s lounge, camp, and free love sans crabs, Tony Mangini is back to sing, dance, and seduce you into doing things you don't really want to do. Leave your morals (and panties) at the door, whether you're a soul-kissed lady or a hang-loose kinda man, because the spirit of Tony is going to get in your pants... and make your ass shake! For the full effect, watch the Ugly Parade at the NW Film and Video Fest (See Film pg 29). DJ Sol will lighten up the festivities before they get too hot, with a fun blend of exotic dance pop that is, most certainly, all imports. JS

ADULT RODEO, AVENUE OF THE STRONGEST, STELLA MARIE

(Blackbird) Holy crap! Last time I saw incredible local band Avenue of the Strongest, they were playing very good music, very well, that sounded very much like June of '44/Rodan. But they brought me a recording of their new stuff, and it seems more melodic, and is a bit of a success story of a band's ability to transgress its influences and forge its own identity. Balancing muscular guitars that grind with the simplicity of machines, with the gritty vocals of a man nearly busted from social paradigms, Avenue of the Strongest's music is tough and spacious. The band has got some power, and their aching is never obscured, but also never whiny or boring. It's just pure turmoil. There's still the Rodan-like entry every once and awhile, but it seems like the band knows its direction is forked away from that influence, into a promising future all their own. JS

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11

AZALIA SNAIL, NATE ASHLEY, GUESTS

(Meow Meow) See My What a Busy Week pg 13

DR. THEOPOLIS, JUANITA FAMILY, ...THEN POLAND, NERVOUS KNEES

(Fez) See My What a Busy Week pg 13

JUCIFER, THE OWNERS, DIESTO, BASTINADO

(Berbati's) The music that Jucifer's Amber Valentine and Edgar Livengood create is horrific and beautiful. The Atlanta duo's latest release, The Lambs EP, features seven songs of deep artistic terror, throughout which Valentine vacillates between droning baby-girl vocals and gorgeous, low-register primal screaming. Valentine's guitar-playing is strange and emotionally wrought. Livenwood is a powerful, innovative drummer, and together they're as effective as any four-piece. JDR

MONDAY NOVEMBER 12

THE LOUNGE: DJ FAMLEE FAM, REV. SHINES

(Seges) Reverend Shines is not a real reverend, but he's just as passionate as any reverend I've met, and probably a lot more talented than most. He's also part of local hiphop group Lifesavas, and will be playing alongside his Jusfamily records label mate, DJ Famlee Fam. In addition, if you're an MC, it's an open mic in which you may partake! KD

SPARKLEHORSE, ACTUAL TIGERS

(Berbati's) The music of Sparklehorse is a life-affirming affair. Of course, Virginia-based singer/songwriter Mark Linkous, and the musicians who gather under the tent of the band's moniker, come to that conclusion through sideways elliptical songs that brush their coats against the darker aspects of life, finding transcendence in the struggle. Linkous has a cracked voice that can be pushed into a tenor as haunted as Ralph Stanley's lonesome songs from Clinch Mountain, or can bottom out into a hushed, elegiac murmur that seems to twist in anguish. NATE LIPPENS

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 13

RYAN ADAMS, PAUL BURCH

(Roseland) See My What a Busy Week pg 13

WEEZER, TENACIOUS D, JIMMY EAT WORLD

(Rose Garden) Tenacious D is a band of two fat guys who get naked and sing ironic songs about DIO, and yet they're still more musically credible than either J.E.W. or Weezer (even taking Pinkerton into account). Doesn't that seem sort of fucked up? JS

THRONES, THE LOWDOWN, BUNKBED, MONITOR BATTSSSS

(Fast Forward) The Lowdown, from Santa Cruz, are mad collage artists armed with guitars, drums, keyboards, trumpet, and vocals that can do more damage than a nail gun. Their utter disregard for song structure is either an affront to the audience or punk as fuck. Actually, they are a really good time--it's astonishing and dangerous to be in the same room as people who throw themselves so wholeheartedly into their music, and watching their energy is exhausting. Monitor Bats recently moved here from Miami Beach, Florida, and they've finally got a bit of color in their cheeks. Really, you can't even tell about the goiter at all! JS

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 14

SHANNONWRIGHT, SONGS: OHIA, HOLY SONS

(Blackbird) I am serious when I say Shannon Wright's Dyed in the Wool is the best record I've heard this year. Don't condescend and call her a singer-songwriter--she's a fucking entity and will stomp all over your heart with her honesty and brilliant, passionate songwriting. Songs: Ohia is essentially Jason Molina, whose calm and lovely voice conveys a fortitude and wisdom that only accompanies pain. Portland's Holy Sons have a record in the pipe, and it's wonderful, a long-wrought document of ghosts and a past, all committed to tape, like a bloodletting on a quiet night, with the firey turbulence of humanness underneath. JS

GRIFFIN, BURNS, DIONYSO TRIO, HOCHENKEIT, TAKEOFF & LANDING

(Jasmine Tree) Michael Griffin, the 67-year-old violinist for Noggin/Behead the Prophet NLSL, Old Time Relijun's Arrington de Dionyso on clarinet, and Gust Burns! Plus the long-overdue-for-a-show Hochenkeit and the about-to-release-a-record Takeoff & Landing. JS

BUILT TO SPILL

(Crystal) To my knowledge, Built to Spill has never had a song on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and yet they've managed to attain fame nonetheless... But I missed last Tuesday's episode, so. JS

THE ANNIVERSARY, MARS VOLTA, LONGSHOT

(Meow Meow) Wait--the Anniversary (the least annoying band on emo's first major label Vagrant Records--or, as some like to say, "Vagri-taph") used to be called The Broadcast, but there was already another band named that. So they became the Anniversary, but the Anniversary then had to become Vue. Whatever. They play radio pop music whose awesome harmonies are unfortunately diluted by their proclivity for stereotypical emo guitars. JS

GOING TO SEATTLE?

Fri 11/9: Tori Amos (Paramount)

Tues 11/3: Shannon Wright (Paradox); Solex (Graceland)

Wed 11/14: Midnight Oil (Showbox)

For more info, visit www.thestranger.com

New Releases Nov. 13:

All Girl Summer Fun Band*, Belle & Sebastian, Bevel, Busta Rhymes, Goodheart-Allen-Powell Trio*, Green Pajamas, Nad Navillus, Radiohead

*=may actually turn out okay