THURSDAY 8/28

THE PRIDS BENEFIT: THE REVISIONS, THE ESTRANGED, FEWD

(The Know, 2026 NE Alberta) With the intensely taut musical interplay of their breakneck Static Thoughts album, the Estranged have quickly become one of Portland's leanest 'n' meanest punk machines. Tonight's show is a benefit for the Prids, who as you know by now are recovering from a devastating van accident—so show up, throw down, and get wired. NED LANNAMANN

THE CROSSWALKS, SEA CAVES, ROLLERBALL

(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) By the end of the night, we have typically turned into wrecked shells of human beings, soiled by alcohol, smoke, dirty looks, and both wanted and unwanted flirtation. Tonight's the chance to reverse that inevitable nightly trend, through a triple bill that shows the diversity and creativity of the local music scene. Openers Rollerball make ominous, unpredictable rock with hints of jazz and prog, leaping assuredly between styles and moods with a sense of menace. Meanwhile, Sea Caves have a hint of post-rock in the wide vistas of their affirming pop songs, with intersecting guitar lines and slow-building crescendos. And finally, the Crosswalks' happy guitar pop is as guileless and fun as your favorite brand of '60s nostalgia. So, if you work it correctly, listening to all three bands over the course of the evening should take you from a tarnished state of sin (Rollerball), to gentle redemption (Sea Caves), to joyous, unblemished innocence (Crosswalks). What other night out can offer such degeneration-in-reverse? NL

THE WOMBATS, IMMIGRANT

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) It's easy to see how someone could hate on the Wombats, with their American Apparel outfits, extra-polished dance rock, and hipster-baiting songs like "Let's Dance to Joy Division." Sometimes, though, you just want to tune out and listen to something catchy, something instantly enjoyable that doesn't require much effort, and—much like the Arctic Monkeys before them—the Wombats fill that void rather well. It's only a matter of time before the major backlash rolls along (the British press can only call a group "Best Band Ever" for so long), so enjoy them now before they become entirely inescapable. Also, enjoy the fact that this early matinee show marks the first all-ages event inside the Doug Fir's timbered basement. Thank the OLCC for coming to its senses. ROB SIMONSEN

OH DARLING, THE PARSON RED HEADS, EVEREST

(The Artistery, 4315 SE Division) There is something about that name—the Parson Red Heads—that brings to mind a family band. Perhaps it's the suggestion of the dangling red locks of a young, freckle-faced Danny Bonaduce from the pre-'roid-rage Partridge Family days, but it's mostly the fact that this Los Angeles- via-Eugene band feels as close as kin. They all share a Parson last name—right down to someone named Graham Cracker Parson on pedal steel guitar—and I assume they tour this great land in a brightly painted school bus while laughtracks punctuate every cute little punchline they deliver. The Red Heads' Owl and Timber EP displays a homespun brand of bouncy indie pop that thrives in a warm embrace of sincere sentiment, gorgeous vocals, and thick harmonies. Here's hoping their futures are less traumatic than those of the Partridge folks. EZRA ACE CARAEFF

WRECKLESS ERIC, AMY RIGBY, THE CAPS

(East End, 203 SE Grand) It seems like Wreckless Eric has been breezing through Portland about every six months lately. The pop-punk legend, best known for his almost-hit "Whole Wild World," is one of the odder musicians to ever sign to Stiff Records, with his shaky guitar and off-key vocals sounding nearly juvenile next to more polished pros like Nick Lowe. No matter, because underneath it all Eric knows how to write a damn fine pop song. This time around he'll be joined by his wife, musician Amy Rigby, for what is sure to be a night of pop goodness, with some heartfelt love songs (to each other) thrown in for good measure. RS

FRIDAY 8/29

OREGON STATE FAIR: WILLIE NELSON

(2330 17th NE, Salem) Commonly known by his official title, "The Coolest Motherfucker on the Planet," the one and only Willie Nelson plays tonight at the Oregon State Fair, making the drive down to Salem well worth it. And there's much more: On Saturday, Poison takes the stage, or there's the duck racing, or the "Mutton Bustin'" (in which "children have fun holding onto a sheep and trying to last six seconds"), or the rodeo—which concludes with something known as a "pig riot." Don't ask. Just go. ERIK HENRIKSEN

BON IVER, A.A. BONDY

(Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie) When a heartbroken Justin Vernon headed to a remote hunting cabin deep in the woods of rural Wisconsin, he emerged with For Emma, Forever Ago, a collection of painstakingly beautiful songs released under the moniker Bon Iver. Its hushed vocals and raw emotional undercurrent prove there's more to the woods than the Blair Witch and man-eating bears. EAC

!!!, PARENTHETICAL GIRLS, STRENGTH

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) See Forbidden Beat.

GUNS N BOMBS, DJ JOEEIRWIN, DJ BEYONDA

(Rotture, 315 SE 3rd) See Once More with Feeling.

SUMMERFECTOR 2: CRIMINAL DAMAGE, DEFECT DEFECT, THE ESTRANGED & MORE

(Backspace, 115 NW 5th) If it weren't for the Defector, Portland would be less connected to its own inspiring anarchist/punk community. The nearly four-year-old free zine is an essential DIY resource, from its sprawling two-page monthly calendar (which can be easily removed and put on your damn refrigerator) to its evolving list of local contacts (hey, where's the Mercury?). Better still are the big, glorious, black-and-white local band photos covering so many of the pages. And sometimes, we even get a free CD. This week's Summerfector festival is set to highlight the riveting music the Defector champions, including area and international acts. Spread out over six shows, the festival is perhaps best embodied by Portland's own Tragedy, a globally beloved D-beat hailstorm which plays at Satyricon on Sunday. MIKE MEYER

SLIM CESSNA'S AUTO CLUB, CICADA OMEGA, JUAN PROPHET ORGANIZATION

(Dante's, 1 SW 3rd) Sandwiched between the expanses of the Rocky Mountains and the desolation of the eastern plains, Denver exists in isolation. Coupled with the city's communal drinking problem, this makes for an esoteric music scene, as styles and genres coalesce into singular bands. No one exemplifies this better than Slim Cessna's Auto Club, whose brand of gothic-country is as harmonious as it is bizarre. Imagine Porter Wagoner's "The Cold Hard Facts of Life" with Nick Cave singing backup alongside clanging percussion. Unlike the college-rock jocks and indie songbirds who have ruined the term, it's alt-country in the truest sense, coupling slick, soaring vocals, steel guitars, and three-four time signatures with a menace and insanity only hinted at in traditional country music. ZACH BROOKS

WEEDEATER, BLACK COBRA, FLYING FORTRESS, COWER

(Satyricon, 125 NW 6th) San Francisco's Black Cobra goes from playing empty rooms to jamming for thousands, depending on where in the world the stoner sludge act is touring. This isn't unique for bands working both tiny clubs like Satyricon and huge destination festivals like Roadburn in Sweden. What's special is the mathy, riff-heavy metal band's preference for Spinal Tap volume no matter the venue. Being a duo, the benefit of cranking their lone ax is a bit of a necessity. But when monstrous amplification collides with violent tempo uncommon to stoner rock, there is another necessity: earplugs. Bring 'em or be pulverized. MM

SATURDAY 8/30

BLIND PILOT, THE VILLAGE GREEN, TEAM EVIL, THE SKINNYZ

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) We've spilled a lot of ink on local act Blind Pilot lately, but they deserve it. In addition to a stellar debut, 3 Rounds and a Sound, and a triumphant set at PDX Pop Now!, the hard-working band tours by bicycle, with upright bass and all. Their yearning, laidback folk-pop sound perfectly suits a late summer evening—so pedal down to the Doug Fir and hear for yourself. ALISON HALLETT

OLD GROWTH, FEROCIOUS EAGLE

(Kelly's Olympian, 426 SW Washington) See Work it Out.

SUMMERFECTOR 2: RESIST, HELLSHOCK, DEAD BY DAWN, SQUALORA & MORE

(Satyricon, 125 NW 6th) If it weren't for the Defector, Portland would be less connected to its own inspiring anarchist/punk community. The nearly four-year-old free zine is an essential DIY resource, from its sprawling two-page monthly calendar (which can be easily removed and put on your damn refrigerator) to its evolving list of local contacts (hey, where's the Mercury?). Better still are the big, glorious, black-and-white local band photos covering so many of the pages. And sometimes, we even get a free CD. This week's Summerfector festival is set to highlight the riveting music the Defector champions, including area and international acts. Spread out over six shows, the festival is perhaps best embodied by Portland's own Tragedy, a globally beloved D-beat hailstorm which plays at Satyricon on Sunday. MM

HOUSE OF BADGER, MACCABEE, ROYAL HOUSER & MORE

(AudioCinema, 226 SE Madison) For this evening of "multimedia art," there will be badgers (as in local band House of Badgers), birds (as in Death Birds, the textural new EP from the aforementioned band), and a bevy of artistic expression resonating off the cavernous walls of under-the-bridge locale AudioCinema. Fifty-plus artists are involved in the performance, so it's an ideal spot for House of Badger to host an EP release, where they introduce their art-pop stylings punctuated by enigmatic singer Amanda Kelly. Her raw howl is straight-up early PJ Harvey, but those introspective confessions of loss and confusion are all her own. EAC

JUCIFER, DIESTO, PALO VERDE, ONLY ZUUL

(Dante's, 1 SW 3rd) It continues to surprise me how an attractive, seemingly loving couple like Jucifer (guitarist/vocalist Amber Valentine and drummer Edgar Livengood) have created such antagonistic noise together over the last 15 years. While Jucifer's six albums and EPs all carry moments of dense, throbbing rock action (and, admittedly, passages of tender beauty), it's in the live arena where the duo prove that wedded bliss can indeed produce seething, Sabbath-dwarfing sound. One can only imagine how hot their sex life must be. DAVE SEGAL

INTRONAUT, BEHOLD... THE ARCTOPUS, MOUTH OF THE ARCHITECT

(Rotture, 315 SE 3rd) Dayton, Ohio's Mouth of the Architect play a dense, furious style of metal characterized best by rumbling guitars that interlock with singer Jason Watkins' screamed vocals, plus the occasional melodic stretch that lends a hint of optimism to the proceedings. Brooklyn's Behold... the Arctopus borrow heavy metal's propulsive drumming and arching guitar lines as they set out for points that defy easy classification. The end result is sometimes breathtaking and sometimes exhausting, a furious instrumental workout that shifts through time signatures and moods ranging from focused anger to triumphant bliss. TOBIAS CAROLL

SUNDAY 8/31

SWALLOWS, SLUTTY HEARTS, KARMA BOMB, GAYCONDO VJ

(East End, 203 SE Grand) I first saw Swallows perform in a basement at PSU. Boy, have things changed! Celebrate the amazing duo's fifth year band-iversary party at East End, where they're releasing their Loud Machines remix collection and VJing their favorite music videos. CN

SOUTHERN BELLE

(Exit Only, 1121 N Loring) See Our Town Could Be Your Life.

SUMMERFECTOR 2: COP ON FIRE, WARTORN & MORE

(Burnside Skate Park, 17 SE 3rd) If it weren't for the Defector, Portland would be less connected to its own inspiring anarchist/punk community. The nearly four-year-old free zine is an essential DIY resource, from its sprawling two-page monthly calendar (which can be easily removed and put on your damn refrigerator) to its evolving list of local contacts (hey, where's the Mercury?). Better still are the big, glorious, black-and-white local band photos covering so many of the pages. And sometimes, we even get a free CD. This week's Summerfector festival is set to highlight the riveting music the Defector champions, including area and international acts. Spread out over six shows, the festival is perhaps best embodied by Portland's own Tragedy, a globally beloved D-beat hailstorm which plays at Satyricon on Sunday. MM

SUMMERFECTOR 2: TRAGEDY, DEATHRAID, BLACKOUT, AGAINST EMPIRE & MORE

(Satyricon, 125 NW 6th) If it weren't for the Defector, Portland would be less connected to its own inspiring anarchist/punk community. The nearly four-year-old free zine is an essential DIY resource, from its sprawling two-page monthly calendar (which can be easily removed and put on your damn refrigerator) to its evolving list of local contacts (hey, where's the Mercury?). Better still are the big, glorious, black-and-white local band photos covering so many of the pages. And sometimes, we even get a free CD. This week's Summerfector festival is set to highlight the riveting music the Defector champions, including area and international acts. Spread out over six shows, the festival is perhaps best embodied by Portland's own Tragedy, a globally beloved D-beat hailstorm which plays at Satyricon on Sunday. MM

COLT VISTA, DOUBLEDUTCH

(Rontoms, 600 E Burnside) At Doubledutch's record release show last week, the duo of Jordan Bagnall and Dhani Rosa translated the studio craft of the brand-new Gungle Dungn to a live setting, with some extra players and a few snafus. Playing to pre-recorded loops usually presents some difficulty, and in this case the sloping, graceful patterns of the record were rendered slightly choppy, as the band moved backward and forward from the beat like a dogsled team struggling to settle into pace. But then Bagnall played a song on her own, with glissando electric piano and achingly beautiful vocals. Without any distractions to bind it down, that one breathtaking song was proof that—technological trickery be damned—Doubledutch makes exquisite music. The rest of their live show, meanwhile, is a chance to watch a very new, very good band get their feet under them. NL

NEW CENTURY SCHOOLBOOK, HOT TODDIES, PONY VILLAGE

(Kelly's Olympian, 426 SW Washington) While Nigel Tufnel wanted you to Smell the Glove, the ladies of Hot Toddies want you to Smell the Mitten, which, when you think about it, is a much more welcome demand. This Oakland band of gals expands on the mid-'90s Lookout! Records shuffle (Cub, Go Sailor) throughout Mitten, with endearing lyrics about the thrill of a wind-in-your-hair ride ("Motorscooter"), the importance of plant life ("Photosynthesis"), and their LOL online love saga, "HTML" ("You don't love me/I went and asked Jeeves/He told me it's true"). If you can't help but be a little wary of quirky lyrics and off-the-charts cuteness—both of which the Toddies have in spades—take comfort in knowing that this quartet is charming enough to have you eating out of their hands (or perhaps smelling their mittens) in no time. EAC

MONDAY 9/1

SUMMERFECTOR 2: DRUNKEN BOAT, SNUGGLE!, AUTISTIC YOUTH, NECKTIES MAKE ME NERVOUS & MORE

(Overlook Park, 1301 N Fremont) If it weren't for the Defector, Portland would be less connected to its own inspiring anarchist/punk community. The nearly four-year-old free zine is an essential DIY resource, from its sprawling two-page monthly calendar (which can be easily removed and put on your damn refrigerator) to its evolving list of local contacts (hey, where's the Mercury?). Better still are the big, glorious, black-and-white local band photos covering so many of the pages. And sometimes, we even get a free CD. This week's Summerfector festival is set to highlight the riveting music the Defector champions, including area and international acts. Spread out over six shows, the festival is perhaps best embodied by Portland's own Tragedy, a globally beloved D-beat hailstorm which plays at Satyricon on Sunday. MM

SUMMERFECTOR 2: WARCORPSE, BURNING LEATHER, MACHINE GUN CONGRESS & MORE

(Plan B, 1305 SE 8th) If it weren't for the Defector, Portland would be less connected to its own inspiring anarchist/punk community. The nearly four-year-old free zine is an essential DIY resource, from its sprawling two-page monthly calendar (which can be easily removed and put on your damn refrigerator) to its evolving list of local contacts (hey, where's the Mercury?). Better still are the big, glorious, black-and-white local band photos covering so many of the pages. And sometimes, we even get a free CD. This week's Summerfector festival is set to highlight the riveting music the Defector champions, including area and international acts. Spread out over six shows, the festival is perhaps best embodied by Portland's own Tragedy, a globally beloved D-beat hailstorm which plays at Satyricon on Sunday. MM

DARKER MY LOVE, THE UPSIDEDOWN

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Los Angeles-based indie-psychedelic band Darker My Love turns up a trippy collection of tunes on their newest album, 2. The band's stellar collection of musicians (ranging from ex-members of the Nerve Agents to a former trooper from the Distillers) takes you from old to new visions. Some bits of Darker My Love sound very '70s retro, replete with a powerful rock spirit, but there's also a soft new-millennium indie component to the group that puts them right in this generation's musical mix. KAITLIN JOHNSON

TUESDAY 9/2

TIM FINN

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Tim Finn is the older brother, the one who founded Split Enz in the '70s and wasn't in Crowded House. (Well, not originally—he temporarily joined for the third record.) Meanwhile, he's played on and off with younger brother Neil as the Finn Brothers—who are light years better than the Bacon Brothers—and has released a bunch of solo records over the years. Charting the course of the New Zealander's career isn't really necessary at this point, since he's consistently made music for all sizes of audiences and in all kinds of genres, from folk and singer/songwriter to new wave and mainstream pop. His latest release is a limited edition, fans-only collection of demos, and perhaps tonight's show is a fans-only affair as well, but with Finn being in the game as long as he has, there should be plenty of those by this point. NL

JANA HUNTER, LESSER GONZALEZ ALVAREZ, GROUPER

(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) Jana Hunter's haunting voice and sparse musical sensibility makes for a memorably intense collection of songs, whether live or on record. Since 2005, she has released a pair of albums (Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom and There's No Home) and an EP (Carrion) on Devendra Banhart's Gnomonsong label. Across her songs, subdued guitar lines flow in tandem with precisely delivered, sharply focused vocal melodies. Besides her own work, she has also toured with or contributed to albums by the likes of Castanets, Phosphorescent, and Marissa Nadler—putting herself at the center of an aesthetic that's both stripped-down and harrowingly expressionistic. TC

WEDNESDAY 9/3

TAG TEAM: TENDER FOREVER, BANGSANDBLURRY, EXPLODE INTO COLORS, JANET PANTS & MORE

(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) Headliner Tender Forever is a former Frenchie whose smart lyrics and catchy beats won her "extraordinary alien" status here in the States. Thank Uncle Sam she can now reside in Portland and play low-key, dance-friendly shows as often as possible. Opener Explode into Colors is three girls with two drum sets, a guitar, and lots of energy. SARAH MIRK

WITCH, EARTHLESS, THE ASSEMBLE HEAD IN SUNBURST SOUND

(East End, 203 SE Grand) See Surrealistic Billow.

MUSICFESTNW: OLD 97S, LANGHORNE SLIM, NORFOLK & WESTERN, THE 1900S

(Berbati's Pan, 10 SW 3rd) MusicfestNW kicks off with a bang, or in this case, with a series of expertly written, occasionally twangy pop songs. Old 97s, despite label switches, solo albums, and breakup threats, are still alive and shit-kicking, with glossy country-pop songs that manage to be just a little too thoughtful for mainstream consumption, despite the ready-for-the-masses glamour of pretty-boy frontman Rhett Miller. Langhorne Slim, on the other hand, has no room for glamour in his earthy, howling bluegrass soul; he's one of the best live performers around, delivering the goods at every show. Portland's own Norfolk & Western are in the final stages of prepping a long-gestating new record, which they'll likely be showing off tonight, and Chicago's the 1900s are riding high on a triumphant album of their own: Last year's Cold & Kind is string-laden AM pop, as pretty as a sunny day and comfy as your favorite sweater. NL

MUSICFESTNW: MOGWAI, FUCK BUTTONS

(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) With a name like Fuck Buttons you wouldn't expect the band to be too keen on subtlety, yet the UK-based duo manages to make smart, unassuming noise music that's never too overpowering. Tribal drumming backs up shimmering keyboards as the songs are left to build on their own, stretching out and flexing until a slight shift in the pattern results in a sudden blast of blissful euphoria. Sure, the vocals which are sung through a child's toy recorder can come off as a bit harsh, but don't let that dissuade you. Street Horrrsing, their latest, is a ridiculously rewarding listen, one that only gets better the more you're able to wrap your throbbing head around it. RS