Calendar

September Picks (for Seattle)

By Mark Baumgarten, Zach Carstensen, Michael Connelly, Kevin Diers, Jessica Harbert, Clint Goulden, Erin Resso, Paige Richmond and Katie Sauro.

5 Friday

Love as Laughter
With the demise of early ‘90s indie-punk band Lync, leadman Sam Jayne decided to make a go of a solo project, recording his lo-fi, rough-hewn tunes under the moniker Love As Laughter. Understandably, Jayne’s been around the block a time or two—starting out on Olympia’s K Records, moving up the ranks to Sub Pop and finally landing on Isaac Brock’s label, Glacial Pace. For the first time in his long, and not-too-illustrious career, Jayne has released his first proper studio album, Holy. (KS) Sunset Tavern
Sept. 4 at Berbati’s in Portland; Sept. 6 at Media Club in Vancouver, B.C.

6 Saturday

Rock the Bells
Yes, the people behind the annual Godzilla-like hip-hop tour—the same one that last year featured not only Wu-Tang Clan, but the one and only Rage Against The Machine—have finally noticed that little state above Oregon and just a little below Vancouver, BC. Well, it’s about time. This year, Rock The Bells features a solid mix of new and old, combining to show that hip-hop, while getting on in years, has the potential to cross generational barriers. A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and the Pharcyde will undoubtedly be laying down some of that classic old school positivity that has gotten them through the high and lows that have been visited upon them since the members first took the stage decades back. Adding a little grime to the mix will be one of New York’s finest, Nas, and, of course, Mos Def himself. Let’s not forget about the fine plethora of supporting artists gracing the stage throughout the afternoon either. Make sure to check out MF Doom, the Cool Kids, Wale and Seattle’s very own Blue Scholars. (KD) Gorge Amphitheatre

TV on the Radio
With the upcoming release of its fourth full-length, Dear Science, New York’s TV on the Radio is heading out on a little tour, to show how the avant garde of pop is faring. In the past, TVOTR has melded ambient a capella vocals, haunting melodies and a stage show that swings from bombastic to lullaby on a moments notice, captivating audiences around the world. As of this writing, Sound has heard little of Dear Science, but if it’s only half as good as 2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain, this show will be worth the ticket price. (JH) Showbox SoDo
Sept. 5 at Roseland in Portland; Sept. 7 at Commodore in Vancouver, B.C.

7 Sunday

G. Love
It’s hard to believe that G. Love is from chilly Boston; his happily casual, loping songs sound like they come straight from the beaches of Hawaii or California. If indeed G. Love & Special Sauce’s catalog can be called “hip-hop,” it’s stoner surfer hiphop with plenty of cheesy humor, and it’s the perfect choice for a sunny Marymoor Park concert. The band’s summer ‘08 release, Superhero Brother, features tracks with titles like “Who’s Got The Weed” and “Wiggle Worm;” don’t say we didn’t warn you! (KH) Marymoor Park
Sept. 6 at Edgefield in Portland

8 Monday

Hanson
The MMMbop trio is back with its fourth album, The Walk, but the Hanson boys have come a long way since the first album, Middle of Nowhere, released in 1997. The brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma survived the initial pop craze, which all happened while the guys were under 16 years old, and went on to release three more albums and start their own record label, 3CG Records. Now the trio brings a more mature perspective to its music while continuing to produce up-beat good-natured tunes. (JH) Moore Theatre
Sept. 7 at Aladdin in Portland; Sept. 10 at Commodore in Vancouver, B.C.

9 Tuesday

Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Buckingham, he of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks/”Big Love” fame, is one of the great finger-pickin’ guitar players of the ‘80s. After he split up with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham went on to have a solid solo career; he’s touring now to promote Gift of Screws, a collaborative effort with Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. Gift of Screws, though lacking Buckingham’s signature sexy grunts, remains centered around the satisfyingly soothing, nimble guitarwork that America has admired for twenty-odd years and counting. (KH) Moore Theatre
Sept. 10 at Newmark in Portland

10 Wednesday

Sam Sparro
“Twenty-first century life, well what can I say, the new world got me feeling so dirty, think I need to get down and play.” And so it goes with Sam Sparro, who is scheduled to host to what should be neon-clad revelry tonight at Neumos. Sparro’s self-titled debut is a light-hearted and bouncy throwback to ‘80s disco-dusted R&B with an updated arsenal of Daft Punk-inspired filtered synths that should prove substantial enough for an engaging live performance. (ER) Neumos

11-14 Thursday-Sunday

Robben Ford
Robben Ford’s grungy, reverb-drenched blues guitar playing is as versatile as it is rockin’. Not only has it earned him four Grammy nominations, it has also given him the chance to play with performers as diverse as Miles Davis and George Harrison. His latest project: songwriting for albums recorded with indie record label Concord. “I feel this is the best work I’ve done,” he has said. This, the performer’s only Northwest stop, comes at the end of a long tour, so expect Ford to be in fine form. (RD) Jazz Alley

12 Friday

Michael Franti & Spearhead
Michael Franti and Spearhead’s latest record, All Rebel Rockers, is being sold as “the grooviest, most danceable protest record ever.” Since stepping into music in 1986, Franti has never strayed far from his most basic principles, and his determination to promote peace through music is strong. Together with his band Spearhead, he puts on shows that can feel like giant hours-long peace rallies, channeling his soul and revolutionary spirit. Originally formed as a backup band of studio players in support of Franti’s solo work, Spearhead has been making fans twirl and bounce for almost 15 years now. The band has more than earned its place in the hearts of Franti’s fans, and Marymoor Park is the perfect venue for it. The group will be sure to pull from the soul and spirituality of nature around it for a show that could convince doubters of the exquisite power of song in bringing people together. (KR) Marymoor Park
Sept. 13 at Roseland in Portland

Rancid
Still going strong since 1991, the now-middle-aged punk rockers that make up Rancid have more incentive to keep going—they know nothing else. Generally seen by the mainstream world as a two- or three-hit-wonder, Rancid has kept its music relatively underground, by releasing its music on L.A. punk label Epitaph, along with its imprint Hellcat records, run by the band’s vocalist/guitarist Tim Armstrong. The band will release its first album since 2003 later this month. Spike up that mohawk and throw on your leather jacket. (KD) Showbox SoDo
Sept. 13 at the Big Easy in Spokane

13 Saturday

Balkan Beat Box
Echoing the sounds of its world music brethren (Gogol Bordello, Firewater), Balkan Beat Box begs, borrows and steals from a number of far-reaching influences, blending them into a gypsy-punk mish-mash. The duo’s latest album, Nu-Med, reaches even further, stretching beyond the borders of Eastern Europe and into the Middle East, North Africa and even Spain to capture new sounds. The result is not only a geography lesson, but a seamless fusion of dancehall, electronica and hip-hop with a cultural twist. (KS) Neumos
Sept. 12 at Dante’s in Portland

14 Sunday

Spiritualized
The drowsy, slow-burning, gospel-tinged compositions of U.K. rock band Spiritualized are the brainchildren of Jason Pierce, the band’s founding member, lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. You may know the band from their very successful 1997 release, Ladies And Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space, the title track of which was a spacy, sad take on Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Spiritualized’s most recent album, Songs in A&E, is equally ambitious and orchestral; listen for the strong gospel influence. (KH) Neumos
Sept. 13 at Commodore in Vancouver, B.C.; Sept. 15 at Berbati’s in Portland

16 Tuesday

Squeeze
Reunited, reformed, resurrected—however you look at it, the kings of New Wave have triumphantly returned to the spotlight. With two decades’ worth of solid albums and hit pop singles under its belt, Squeeze has launched its latest endeavor—a U.S. and U.K. tour, as well as a live album released last year—under the guidance of founding members and co-songwriters Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. Thus far, the tour has found the duo and their backing band performing early classics like “Up the Junction” and “Cool Cats.” (KS) Showbox at the Market
Sept. 15 at Wonder Ballroom in Portland

17 Wednesday

Goldfrapp
Side-stepping the dance-oriented (and commercially successful) approach that she took on past albums, First Lady of Electronica Alison Goldfrapp and collaborator Will Gregory chose a decidedly less pop-leaning path when creating 2008’s Seventh Tree. The duo’s fourth studio album aims for subtlety, with warm acoustic guitars, layers of synths and hazy beats providing the ambience. Expect to hear both sides of Goldfrapp tonight—equal parts glitzy electro-pop queen and folktronic chanteuse. (KS) Showbox Sodo
Sept. 16 at Commodore in Vancouver, B.C.

18 Thursday

CSS
CSS frontwoman Lovefoxxx is as wild and playful as her name might imply. This lycra-clad ball-of-fire has gained a reputation for her outlandish costumes—sequins, spandex and face paint are part of her usual bag of tricks—as well as her stage antics: crowd-surfing and unrestrained dancing, on stage and in the crowd. And she’s only one member of this Brazilian electro-pop quintet, which burst onto the international scene in 2006, releasing its debut album Cansei de Ser Sexy on Sub Pop and embarking on a seemingly endless world tour. Somehow the band found time to put together a new batch of feel-good party jams, between remixing just about everyone, it seems, from Bonde do Role to the B-52’s. CSS’ new full-length, Donkey, reflects the more rock-based sound of the band’s live show and the group’s shared enthusiasm for ‘90s alt-rock. The Brazilians have even added a new cover to their repertoire, a take of the Breeders classic hit “Cannonball.” (MC) Showbox
Sept. 17 at Commodore in Vancouver, B.C.; Sept. 19 at Roseland in Portland

Po’ Girl
There’s something trampy about Po’ Girl. Not trampy in the sense of the word that your mother used to warn you about, but in the rail-riding, jungle camp-inhabiting sense. Imagine an old timey theatrical troupe trampsing through a jungle camp with their washtub bass and their killer-voiced lead singer. Add tight harmonies, some stomping and clapping, and you’ve pretty much got what this B.C.-based troupe will be throwing down. (KR) Tractor Tavern
Sept. 14-15 at Railway in Vancouver, B.C.; Sept. 20 at Aladdin in Portland

19 Friday

Carrie Underwood
2005 American Idol winner Carrie Underwood is no flash-in-the-pan, like some of her fellow Idol contestants. The young country singer from Oklahoma is a certifiable country star. Her debut full-length Some Hearts was the best-selling female country album not only of 2005, when it was released, but also of 2006 and 2007. That’s staying power. For her sophomore album Carnival Ride she’s tapped Nashville, teaming up with the likes of Brett James, Stever McEwan, Kelly Lovelace and others to help write songs drawing on the city’s rich musical legacy. (MC) Puyallup Fair

20 Saturday

Ra Ra Riot
Undeterred by tragedy, recent Barsuk signees Ra Ra Riot released their stunning debut, The Rhumb Line, last month to an overwhelmingly positive reception. Put out a year after the drowning death of drummer John Pike (who wrote about half of the songs), the album is both an orchestral, string-laden pop gem and a tribute to a friend and bandmate. Ranging from mournful ballads to chamber-pop akin to that of Arcade Fire, the Syracuse-based six-piece has crafted a true masterpiece. (KS) King Cobra
Sept. 21 at Media Club in Vancouver, B.C.; Sept. 22 at Doug Fir in Portland

21 Sunday

Stereophonics
In possession of five releases that have hit #1 on it’s native UK charts, British pop trio Stereophonics definitely made a name for itself while playing together for more than a decade. The band only charted in the U.S. once, but enjoys a healthy fanbase of anglophilic pop fans who come out regularly for the band’s booze-soaked Brit rock. Those fans will be pleased to hear that the band is releasing a greatest hits album in November and will likely be playing some of those hits on this tour. (JH) Showbox at the Market
Sept. 19 at Wonder in Portland; Sept. 20 at Commodore in Vancouver, B.C.

22 Monday

Laibach
Now more than 28 years after its inception, Laibach is finally touring the U.S., bringing its unconventional adaptions of pop tunes including covers of Queen and the Rolling Stones. The 10-plus-member band, which, along with the usual musicians, includes lighting technicians, projectionists and several who use electronics, works as the music wing of the Neue Slowenische Kunst art collective. Tonight, the Slovenian masters will cover everything from dark, industrial electronic music to beautifully textured classical. (KD) Showbox at the Market
Sept. 23 at Crystal in Portland

23-24 Tuesday-Wednesday

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
After 14 albums, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds operates more as a constantly evolving musical institution than just a band. Fueled by the critical acclaim of his solo project, the Australian vocalist brought his main focus back to the Bad Seeds this past year, releasing Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, an album based on the biblical story of the resurrection of Lazarus. Thanks to their always devoted fan-base, the two Seattle shows sold out almost instantly, forcing anyone who slept on the pre-sale to stand outside with their ears to the door. (KD) Showbox SoDo
Sept. 22 at Crystal in Portland

24 Wednesday

The Wedding Present
Formed in Leeds, England, in 1985, the Wedding Present has not had a harmonious existence, reconfiguring itself in numerous ways throughout a tumultuous, sometimes nonexistent existence. The music has largely held up, though, thanks to leadman David Gedge’s insistence, both in his business and in his rock music, born, as it is, from punk roots. The current lineup, borne out of the Gedge project Cinerama, recorded ealier this year with Steve Albini, adding that album to the band’s catalog, which includes eight studio albums. (JH) Neumos
Sept. 25 at Doug Fir in Portland; Sept. 26 at Media Club in Vancouver, B.C.

25-28 Thursday-Sunday

Decibel Festival
Beat heads rejoice! For the fifth year running, Decibel Festival puts Seattle right smack in the middle of the world’s electronic music industry for four days at the end of September. In regards to Seattle’s electronica scene, the city poses itself as an American version of Berlin, with a steady and unique sound bubbling up from the subwoofers of our nightclubs. Decibel is, no doubt, a testament to that, showcasing some of our finest locals alongside a wide variety of some of the best producers from around the world. This year should be no different, bringing in as headliner techno legend Carl Craig. Known for incorporating influences from world rhythms, jazz and soul into his music, Craig has played no small role in solidifying the sound that would become “Detroit Techno,” and whose song “Bug in the Bassbin” is a name that readers of a certain Seattle newsweekly will surely recognize. Also on the bill is the Bug featuring Warrior Queen, who’s dubstep is what M.I.A. might have sounded like had she spent a little more time in the back-alley basements of London. Noted Ann Arbor label Ghostly International will fire off a small portion of its vast musical arsenal in a showcase featuring the lo-fi down-tempo of Tycho; the chilly, spacey beats of Deru; the ambient IDM of Lusine; and the Seattle debut of the Sight Below. Jacob London, Truckasauras, novaTRON and ndCV will be appearing on behalf of Seattle, while Eluvium’s Ambient Showcase at the Triple Door and Let’s Go Outside will both represent the Portland sound. This is merely scratching the surface of the extensive and far-reaching bill of artists to play Decibel, not to mention the visual artists set to host their own showcase at the Northwest Film Forum. To some, Decibel may be just an electronic music festival. However, the truth is that it is quickly becoming a cultural institution in this city, representing an immensely wide range of musical styles that fall under the vague term “electronica” (the term “indie rock” currently suffers a similar plight). To the die-hards, Decibel provides enough depth with its roster to fully immerse the active listener, lending a sensation that only this weekend yields. To the uninitiated, consider Decibel your crash course. Who knows; you might just find something you like. (ER) Various Seattle Locations
For more information on the festival, including a full schedule, go to dbfestival.com. After the festival, go to soundnw.com for Resso’s wrap.

25 Thursday

Lila Downs
Lila Downs has always embraced her heritage. With two different backgrounds in her family—Downs’ father an American professor and mother a Mixteca Indian from Mexico—the songwriter explores two diverse traditions through music while continuing to intertwine various other influences, mixing in jazz and folk to create her own unique sound. With six albums released, along with working on a handful of compilations, she has kept busy recording her music, most recently on Songs of the Siren, a Starbucks compilation. (JH) Moore Theatre
Sept. 24 at Wonder in Portland

26 Friday

Calexico
Tuscon, Arizona-based Calexico makes music as diverse as the border state it hails from. the band’s music spans from mellow, country-folk ballads to free-wheeling mariachi rock. Core members Joey Burns and John Convertino have teamed up with a variety of collaborators over the years, from Nancy Sinatra to Neko Case, even joining with Iron & Wine in 2005 for the joint album In the Reins and a subsequent tour. For the soundtrack to the 2007 Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There they joined forces with Jim James to cover “Going to Acapulco.” Its new full-length Carried to Dust finds Calexico capturing some of the sweeping dynamics and power of its live performances. The band also reaches into its past, to team up with Sam Beam of Iron & Wine and the band that helped create its 2003 release Feast of Wire. (MC) Moore Theater
Sept. 27 at Crystal in Portland

26-27 Friday-Saturday

Hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics is to West Coast underground hip-hop as Wu-Tang Clan is to grimy New York hip hop. Both crews are internationally known, pushing the boundaries of hip hop through both their artists solo albums and their occasional collaborative crew efforts. Working as a collective, the Oakland based Hieroglyphics crew was formed in the 90’s by Del the Funky Homosapien, and has released two official studio albums as a unit. (KD) Showbox at the Market
Sept. 24 at Roseland in Portland; Sept. 28 at Richard’s in Vancouver, B.C.

28 Sunday

My Morning Jacket
Within the span of 10 years, Southern-bred five-piece My Morning Jacket has earned the reputation of being an incredible live band, jamming together freely and expanding their already beautiful and intricate recorded material. The band’s latest album, Evil Urges, earned them a peak Billboard position of #9, a considerable feat for a band that generally allows the music to speak for itself. Just like any other jam-band oriented show, don’t go expecting to hear the song you know from the album. Expect something better. (KD) McCaw Hall
Sept. 27 at Edgefield in Portland

29 Monday

Cold War Kids
Sure, they just played at Sasquatch. But really, the Gorge mainstage is a less-than-ideal showcase for Cold War Kids’ piano-pounding, tambourine-shaking soulful pop. This indie rock outfit is about to find out if it can sustain the digital hype it stirred up in the blogosphere with debut Robbers and Cowards when its sophomore album Loyalty to Loyalty hits this month. If the single “Something Is Not Right With Me” is any indication, expect the new material to be more Rolling Stones swagger, less Jeff Buckley emoting. (MC) Showbox at the Market
Sept. 27 at Wonder in Portland; Sept. 28 at Richard’s in Vancouver, B.C.

30 Tuesday

Imperative Reaction
While it may not receive much media attention, underground industrial music is still going strong. And if you don’t believe that, just show up to this concert and see for yourself as industrial and electronic show-goers gather to see Los Angeles-based dance anthem kings Imperative Reaction. Formed from the ashes of the band D.N.A, Imperative Reaction hit the scene in 1996, and released its latest album, As We Fall, 10 years later. (KD) El Corazon
Sept. 24 at Bossanova in Portland; Sept. 25 at Red Room in Vancouver, B.C.