WED MARCH 28
Skelevision w/Breaker Breaker, Friskies, Fire Nuns, Fantastic Plastic, Gardener; American Legion Local 134, 2104 NE Alberta
The American Legion hall has low-key been one of the best all-ages venues in town for a while now, and this jam-packed bill proves it: The psychedelic surf-punks of Wave Action and Skelevision will celebrate the release of their new split EP, with support from up-and-coming local bands like Fantastic Plastic and Friskies.
SAT MARCH 31
Doll Party w/Dead Lee; The Fixin’ To, 8218 N Lombard
If you are (A) the guardian of small children or (B) afraid of the dark, I highly recommend checking out the Fixin’ To’s “Dinosaur Juniors” afternoon concert series. For its seventh installment they’re hosting Doll Party, the city’s best (and only) Dolly Parton cover band, featuring members of Wampire, Mini Blinds, and Melt. They sold out the St. Johns venue’s blowout birthday party for Parton in January (I know this because I couldn’t get in and am still livid), and now they’re coming back to serenade youths with songs about the perils of capitalism (“9 to 5”), adultery (“Jolene”), and contemplating the almighty (“Early Morning Breeze”)—you know, regular kid stuff. There’ll be platinum blonde wigs! There’ll be babies! And there’s no cover for kids 12 and under—just be sure to bring protection for those tiny earholes.
TUES APRIL 3
Kevin Morby w/Hand Habits; Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie
After selling out Monday’s Mississippi Studios show at lightning speed, Los Angeles singer/songwriter Kevin Morby benevolently added an all-ages date at the Aladdin (which has also sold out). Morby’s 2017 LP City Music is the latest in a constellation of spectacular releases, but the true highlight of this bill is Hand Habits, AKA Meg Duffy. Though she spent years playing guitar with Mega Bog, Weyes Blood, and Morby’s band, Duffy didn’t release her solo debut, Wildly Idle (Humble Before the Void), until February of 2017. It’s a gorgeous collection of daydream pop that possesses the understated power of vines overtaking manmade structures or the ocean eroding the coast.