THURSDAY, March 20

SHORTIES--Forget oppressive video stores that now require you submit to the American excess of credit cards! There is good still left in the world, often coming in the salve of film shorts (better than life, and quicker). Tonight, sample the wares of four filmmakers, including Larry Johnson's surreal trio, three possible scenes. MS
Hollywood Theater, 4122 NE Sandy, 493-1128, 8 pm, $4

OLD-SCHOOL--It's always a treat when a member of the true school of rap rolls into town. This week it's Big Daddy Kane, considered to be the grandpappy of lightning-fast rhyming. With the debut of his single Raw in 1987, Big Daddy started the hardcore ball rolling, and has kept it rolling with witty lyrics, deep vocals, and street flavor. Check it. WSH
w/Killah Priest, more; Berbati's, 231 SW Ankeny, 248-4579, 9:30 pm, $15

FRIDAY, March 21

BRITPOP--Oh, sure... they can be self-indulgent. But lovers of the Britpop will certainly forgive Supergrass of such a victimless crime. Following in the footsteps of the Kinks, the Buzzcocks, and Pulp, Supergrass means business when it comes down to giving the people what they want-- irresistible pop confections. Also on board for tonight's show: the psychedelic pop stylings of The Coral! WSH
Roseland Theater, 8 NW 6th Ave, 224-TIXX, 9 pm, all ages, $13

MUSIC--Sure, he gets too much press, and he wears weird glasses, but he's also the greatest. Steve Malkmus, frontman of Pavement and now Steve Malkmus and the Jicks, somehow manages to be entertaining, while seeming like he could give a rat's ass. The Jicks' new stuff is flavored with '70s rock, loaded with masterful guitar playing, and of course... wait, I'll stop before I say something really dorky. KS
w/Scene Creamers; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 224-4400, 9 pm, $12-14

SATURDAY, March 22

SQUARE DANCE--Calling all neo-hillbillies! It's time to have some good ol' fashioned hoe-down fun at the Saturday Night Square Dance at Conan's Pub. Providing the finger-pickin' will be the foot-stompin' sounds of Oldtime Backstep Monkeyface, while professional "caller" Bill Martin tells you which way to swing that gal. So go on... promenade! WSH
Conan's Pub, 39th & Hawthorne, 234-7474, 8 pm, $5

GIRL RAWK--Sweden has given society the Saab, socialized health care and saunas. But now the Nordic country really has something to boast about: Sahara Hotnights! Like Joey Ramone reincarnated into the bodies of four self-assured and snarling Swedish farm girls, the back-to-the-basics punkers turn out aggressive, finger-snapping ditties. PB
w/Ikara Colt, The Washdown; Dante's, 1 SW 3rd, 224-TIXX, 9:30 pm, $10

SUNDAY, March 23

MUSIC--Believe it or not, Sorry About Dresden (acronym SAD) don't warrant dismissal because of the dumb name. They tinker around on their instruments in interesting ways, and always get around to rocking the house--playing catchy pop hooks, singing from the gut, and tuning their guitars in such a way as to remind us of our old friends Pavement. KS
w/ The Velvet Teen, Crosstide, Asahi; Meow Meow, 527 SE Pine, 230-2111, 9 pm, $6

MUSIC--Kill Me Tomorrow's self-titled new album has been described as "danceable," and while the band does have peppy beats, the resulting booty-shaking will most likely be nothing your grandmother would approve of. Awash in an ominous ooze of distortion and spooky vocal reverberation, Kill Me wants you to put on the leather; it's time to grind slow and hard 'neath a blanket of vampiric love music. JWS
w/The Vanishing, The Starvations, The Chromatics; Blackbird, 3728 NE Sandy, 282-9949, 10 pm, $6

MONDAY, March 24

BAND--It looks like we've got a little ex-Need member festival going on this week. King Cobra's playing on Wednesday with bitchin' ex-Need drummer Rachel, and tonight The Circuit Side rocks out with bitchin' ex-Need guitarist Radio. This girl can thrash, dudes, and her relentless frettin' and muscular vocals will fit in nicely with billmates Half-Seas-Over's Devo-esque guitars and spunky drum cadence. JWS
w/Squab; Meow Meow, 527 SE Pine, 230-2111, 9 pm, $7

TUESDAY, March 25

PROG ROCK--Is it possible to be progressive in 1967 and still be considered progressive 35 years later? Bending time with their virtuoso guitar and plaintive riffs, King Crimson is still as relevant, talented and, yup, you got it, progressive as ever. PB
Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 224-TIXX, 8 pm, $30

WEDNESDAY, March 26

CINEMA--You're tired. Life is hard. You have dark circles under your eyes. You deserve to relax and enjoy a gorgeous, fascinating French film that is devoid of artificial tensions. Chris Marker's Sans Soleil will take you on soothing, time-defying adventures through Japan, Africa, and Hitchcock's San Francisco. You may not want to come back. MS
Four Wall Cinema, 425 SE 3rd #400, 231-6548, 7:30 pm, $6 donation

PROG CHICK DUO--Really, what's left to be said? Nothing, except their name is King Cobra and they come at you like their moniker suggests: like a hissing snake with venom on its breath and murder in its heart. Oh, and half the band is Rachel Carns, ex of The Need fame. She's an awesome drummer who pounds the kit as if every beat were bringing her another step closer to death. JWS
w/Half Seas Over, Squab; Blackbird, 3728 NE Sandy, 282-9949, 10 pm, $7