THURSDAY 7/30

THE SECRET OF NIMH SCREENING: THE WOODLANDS

(Hotel deLuxe parking garage, SW 15th & Yamhill) See My, What a Busy Week!

ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, JESSE WINCHESTER

(Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie) See Destination Fun.

FIRST FEST: SWIM SWAM SWUM , CARCRASHLANDER, THEE HEADLINERS , PETRACOVICH, OCEAN AGE, WISHYUNU

(Berbati's Pan, 10 SW 3rd) Local production company Potlatch's three-night First Fest kicks off tonight. Familiar names like Carcrashlander and Swim Swam Swum headline on the first night, but don't overlook the marvelous piano pop of Santa Rosa, California's Petracovich. Led by the sparkling songwriting and voice of Jessica Peters, Crepusculo (which was recorded in Portland) is absolutely wonderful, each song a delicate delight. Peters infuses every song with both power and pulsating beauty; she was pregnant while she recorded Crepusculo, and the expectant joy is evident in every note. Tragically, her son Otto died eight days after he was born last August. Peters' loss is undeniable, but the record, finally released after a period of grieving, remains an uplifting testament to Otto's short life. The First Fest is a dirt-cheap $5 per day, or you can splurge and pay $10 for a three-day wristband. NED LANNAMANN

STARLIGHT MINTS, JP INC.

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Norman, Oklahoma's Starlight Mints have been referred to as "psych-pop pranksters," and while that's a very apt description, it shouldn't scare you off. Starlight Mints aren't a joke act, but a band that simply has taken to some of the more quirky and interesting artists of the past four decades—Bowie, Talking Heads, Pavement—and created their own thing (I won't say a word about the Flaming Lips connection). The band's latest, Change Remains, is a dark and fun dance party for all the cool kids with ADD. But there's also a laser-precision attention to detail, as illustrated in "Zoomba," a celestial disco number that's all fun and games until guitarist/vocalist Allan Vest drops the line "Gotta hide the body in the water." MARK LORE

STRANGE EFFECTS, THE BLACK HOLLIES, HOWLIES

(East End, 203 SE Grand) The haphazard realm of psychedelic music has seen its fair share of, how should I say, "bad trips." The genre mostly consists of acts like Ozric Tentacles, who fried their brains long before they ever began making music. Luckily for us, Jersey City band the Black Hollies channel the psych and energy of Sgt. Pepper along with the finer pop aspects of '60s soul, without the negative side-effects of our smoky, red-eyed ancestors. Vocals hover above fuzzy guitar riffs and trippy rhythms, while the band go-go dances around rock-tuned percussion. Unlike other bands that require some sort of illegal substance to warrant careful listening (I'm looking at you, Animal Collective), the Black Hollies are completely enjoyable while sober. But once the sitar starts, you'll be riding along a giant sunflower in your unicorn taxicab. PHILIP GAUDETTE

FRIDAY 7/31

PICKATHON

(Pendarvis Farm, 16581 SE Hagen, Happy Valley) See Feature.

NAS, DAMIAN "JR. GONG" MARLEY, CHALI 2NA

(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) See My, What a Busy Week!

HUSH BENEFIT: EXPLODE INTO COLORS, WHITE FANG , WAMPIRE

(The Artistery, 4315 SE Division) On the evening of February 28, a packed crowd at beloved all-aages showspace the Hush watched Meth Teeth and awaited sets from Explode into Colors, Panther, and more–until public safety officials from the fire marshal, along with the OLCC and the Portland Police Bureau, shuttered the venue once and for all, citing capacity issues. Tonight, you'll get that all-ages Explode into Colors show that you missed earlier this year, plus a chance to raise some funds for the Hush workers, who were fined by the city after being shut down. EZRA ACE CARAEFF

SUMMERFECTOR: ISKRA, CRIMINAL DAMAGE, DOGS HOLY LIFE, TRANSIENT & MORE

(Satyricon, 125 NW 6th) Ever wonder what you get when you put inspired punks and a sweltering summer evening together? In Portland, the answer is Summerfector. The Defector, a badass local DIY publication that promotes punk music and culture, has organized their third summertime festival under this year's brilliant slogan: "Punx Not Dead, Michael Jackson Is." Ouch. Tonight features Victoria, BC's noisy Iskra, Los Angeles' hardcore Dogs Holy Life (with members of the seminal Against Empire), this town's beloved four-piece Criminal Damage, and the excellent Transient, which includes two female musicians—a bit of a rarity when it comes to grindcore. MARANDA BISH

MATT SHEEHY & THE MENDERS, JUSTIN POWER, CLASSICAL REVOLUTION PDX

(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Matt Sheehy's solo debut, Tigerphobia, is quite simply one of the finest albums in recent memory. Maybe you already know this—we've been unable to keep from gushing since the splendid record was released last year. But here's something you may not know, audiophiles and vinyl fetishists: Tigerphobia has just been given a vinyl release by Spanish label American Typewriter Records, and it includes a bonus track and a solid remastering job. In short, this excellent album sounds better than ever. Tonight's show features a reunion with Sheehy's former drummer Drew Shoals (home from law school for the summer) and a collaboration with avant-garde string quartet Classical Revolution PDX, whose string arrangements will augment a handful of Sheehy's fantastic songs. NL

ZEKE, THE HUMPERS, 8-FOOT TENDER

(Dante's, 1 SW 3rd) At what point does Washington State's Zeke surpass Motörhead as the metal maniac's default punk band? If a cursory look around the black-metal ruins west of the rock 'n' roll capital of the world (Cleveland) is any gauge, the end is nigh for metal's terror reign, and punk's not dead. In the Pacific Northwest, see Toxic Holocaust's latest street-thrashing full-length, An Overdose of Death..., with Zeke drummer Donny Paycheck laying down thunderous session work. In the Midwest, see the Planet Metal distro, proudly carrying three old Zeke CDs alongside Xasthur and Leviathan. Just about all that's missing is a new Zeke record, but with over 13 discs in 16 years, one can't be too far away. For now, disillusioned imperial hordes, Dante's is the place for default speed and volume. MIKE MEYER

MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO., THE DONKEYS, THOUSAND ARROWS

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Jason Molina and his band of many names, Magnolia Electric Co. (AKA Songs: Ohia), put on one hell of a show. Want proof? Check out their (arguably) best album, the live, '70s-tastic Trials & Errors. Molina's melancholia and persuasive channeling of Neil Young make for driving, moody sets that inspire fantasies of road-tripping across the country, singing and brooding and knowing that something sad is following close behind. Their newest album, the recently released Josephine, maps the same poignant route Molina's been following for years, with the late Magnolia Electric Co. bassist Evan Farrell as its guiding star. It's a beautiful, slow record that is decidedly countrified, with the organ-grinding "Little Sad Eyes" standing out on the Steve Albini-recorded LP. Good thing the show's on Friday—that leaves two whole days for an impromptu summer drive on your favorite lost lonesome highway. COURTNEY FERGUSON

SATURDAY 8/1

PICKATHON

(Pendarvis Farm, 16581 SE Hagen, Happy Valley) See Feature.

BOWERBIRDS, MEGAFAUN, RUN ON SENTENCE

(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) See Music.

THE HENRY CLAY PEOPLE, MORNING TELEPORTATION, FINAL SPINS

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) See Music.

FIRST FEST: PURPLE RHINESTONE EAGLE, THE MORALS , HAWKEYE, YEAH GREAT FINE, NO KIND OF RIDER, SKIP ROXY

(Berbati's Pan, 10 SW 3rd) See Music.

SEAWEED, BITCHIN' SUMMER, SHARPENING MARKERS

(Dante's, 1 SW 3rd) It wasn't exactly a deafening call, but Seaweed still came running, reuniting last year for their first series of shows in about a decade. Their performance during MFNW wasn't necessarily as good as it was fun, the band beaming with that sort of ear-to-ear grin that could only come with finding yourself back onstage with your longtime friends, recapturing both your youth and that of the crowd. Few things are worse than growing old in punk, but frontman Aaron Stauffer's heartfelt delivery feels just as urgent and important now as it did that first time you heard Despised, or when you wrote that angry letter to the Rocket complaining about the band signing to Hollywood Records. EAC

ABE VIGODA, TALBOT TAGORA, MUTATING MELTDOWN, LITTLE CLAW, SUMMER BLONDES

(Worksound, 820 SE Alder) I first became aware of Abe Vigoda—the band, not the actor, whom I adored for his contributions to The Godfather—when a band I like was derided as nothing but an Abe Vigoda knockoff. That band was Ponytail, whom I liked enough to make proceeding directly to Abe Vigoda a no-brainer. Skeleton soon made me a fan. A spazzy Ponytail-ish racket is indeed present, but so is something Ponytail never comes near: lyrics, which are laced throughout the melodic, mathy clamor, with virtually every track sounding like three great songs having a harmonious fight. DAVID SCHMADER

ATOLE , JEFFREY JERUSALEM, PAN DE SAL, KID MEETS COUGAR, E*ROCK

(Backspace, 115 NW 5th) Behind the unassumingly sweet and modest demeanor of Atole frontman Manny Reyes is a remarkable amount of talent. On their brand- new Brainwaves EP, out tonight, Reyes & Co. pump out something for the kids, an excuse to break free from the predictable tired electro pop routine. Their music harkens back to a time of love, ecstasy, and pacifiers, exhibiting a heavy influence of '90s rave culture. At the same time, there is a level of sophistication and honesty that cannot be ignored in their live shows, as Reyes has a knack for creating a friendly and loving atmosphere, and will stop at nothing to get everyone on the floor moving along with him. THEODORA KARATZAS

SUMMERFECTOR: MASS GRAVE, WARTORN, AUTISTIC YOUTH, NUX VOMICA & MORE

(Satyricon, 125 NW 6th) Night two of Summerfector stacks up another roster of acts from across the punk spectrum, bringing to the stage a sampling of the thrash and metal that's been exploding out of basements in our hometown as well as locales around the continent. Mass Grave (Vancouver, BC) will deliver blistering grindcore, and there's the rowdy, harmonic locals Autistic Youth, plus Wisconsin's thrashy Wartorn as well. If you survive this night, you'll be able to ride out the fest with a Sunday picnic at Overlook Park (with PDX favorites Here Comes a Big Black Cloud, Drunken Boat, and more) and an after-party at the Know. It only happens once a year, but Summerfector packs more than enough punch to get this whole town off our asses and back to work on creative destruction. MB

NICK JAINA, GRAVES

(The Woods, 6637 SE Milwaukie) The schedule of new Sellwood venue the Woods is in full swing, and writer/troubadour Nick Jaina is a perfect fit for the space's ambience. Jaina is in the midst of rolling tape on a new record, and reportedly recorded 20 songs in 20 hours recently, so expect to hear some new songs tonight, as well as Jaina's trademark lost-in-time balladry. The Nick Jaina Band is renowned for guerilla busking gigs throughout the various towns they visit, and Jaina's prolific prose writing includes remarkable travelogues. But despite all his journeying, Jaina remains a Portland fixture, and his music is an embodiment of the city's literate temperament and fondness for simpler—and perhaps older—pleasures. NL

SUNDAY 8/2

PICKATHON

(Pendarvis Farm, 16581 SE Hagen, Happy Valley) See Feature.

THE WARLOCKS, THE MORNING AFTER GIRLS, GLISS

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) See My, What a Busy Week!

CHURCH , OCEAN AGE, ORCA TEAM, THE FALL COLORS

(Rontoms, 600 E Burnside) See Music/a>.

NO GO KNOW , PORCHES

(Kelly's Olympian, 426 SW Washington) Midway through "Yours Is a Small, Still Voice," one of many highlights from No Go Know's latest record, the jumping-bean disco beat gives way to a stratospheric post-rock bridge. The contrast is indicative of the rest of Time Has Nothing to Do with It, a sprawling double album that covers a huge stylistic swath, touching on chilly Modest Mouse isolation-rock, well-coiffed Spoon dapperness, and time-shifting proggish grooving. It doesn't all hang together—some of vocalist Scott Taylor's melodies get muddled, and like almost every double album ever made, a few songs should have been trimmed—but the band's ambition is undeniable and their rate of success more than excuses their indulgences. NL

MONDAY 8/3

STELLASTARR, WILD LIGHT, MASON PROPER

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) The '80s revival that has been promised since 1991 has come in dribs and drabs ever since; bands that take it too literally, with the skinny ties and synthesizers, still look like morons. But Stellastarr have managed to—I can't believe I'm writing this—find what was right about the '80s and transform it into something worthwhile. They pepper their songs with enough "Oh! Oh! Oh!" choruses to bring the Cars to mind, but there's also a wonky, Pixies-style tunefulness, and enough ragged edge on the smooth pop stylings to make them sound new at the same time. PAUL CONSTANT

TUESDAY 8/4

DEAR & YONDER SCREENING: TARA JANE O'NEIL, MARISA ANDERSON, DJ ZACH RENO

(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) See My, What a Busy Week!

BLACK FRANCIS

(Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie) See My, What a Busy Week!

PANTHER, 123 KNIFE

(Valentine's, 232 SW Ankeny) See Destination Fun.

HØST, GUMBI

(Satyricon, 125 NW 6th) The rise of Midwest black metal this decade has not been without growing pains, from the media frenzy surrounding a $25,000 donation from Judas Iscariot's Andrew Harris to the 2002 campaign of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (her campaign manager reportedly said afterward that Harris stood for "bigotry" and Madigan would donate the money to anti-hate groups), to lingering controversies over Nachtmystium's apparent early National Socialist Black Metal ties. It's enough to make a fan of the region's best music look for a band that wanders away from it. Fargo, North Dakota's HØST (formerly Hennes Siste Høst) doesn't shatter black metal; it simply considers the classification an equal to grunge. New song "Nights like These" is grounded by the swampy power-chord chops of a Sub Pop Nirvana or a TAD, while the textural neoclassicism of Burzum rears its pretty/ugly head along with a psychedelic appropriation of Krieg's screamy end-of-time lunacy. For HØST, the end is the beginning. MM

WEDNESDAY 8/5

BEAT OFF: BLUE CRANES, ERIK BEATS

(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) See My, What a Busy Week!

THE WAILERS

(Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon) See Destination Fun.

PURPLE RHINESTONE EAGLE, LOZEN, CANON CANYON (LATE SHOW)

(East End, 203 SE Grand) See Music.

PSYCHED TO DIE, DEEP SLEEP, COLDBRINGER (EARLY SHOW)

(East End, 203 SE Grand) Bratty as all get out—and popping their collar with an impeccable punk rock pedigree (members of the Ergs, Hunchback, For Science)—Psyched to Die will be ricocheting their punk anthems off the cavernous East End walls tonight. Signed to Dirtnap (the ex-Ergs part was a dead giveaway), their old school sound utilizes less pop-punk handclaps and more clenched-fist DC hardcore knuckle swinging, making them an out-of-step black sheep on the local label. EAC