Wednesday May 7top

Neil Masson Trio

  Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

DJ Robb

  C.C. Slaughters, 219 NW Davis St., 248-9135. Map

Northern State, The Trucks, Oh Darling

  Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. Map

DJs Atom 13, Soil

  East Chinatown Lounge, 322 NW Everett St., 226-1659. Map

Minus the Bear, Portugal The Man, The Big Sleep

[PROG ROCK] Seattle's blessed math-rockers, Minus the Bear, seem to move farther away from high-energy angular punk and closer to heady, layered pop with each new record. The results have made for mixed reactions among old-school fans. Still, when the group is at its peak, it’s capable of some truly incredible pieces worth a careful listen—even on last year's "more mature" Planet of Ice. Alaskan transplants Portugal The Man aren't as polished, but the band shows great promise. And don’t worry, kids, the Big Sleep will be in from Brooklyn to rock your face before the more experimental bands take the stage. AARON COLTER. 9 pm. Hawthorne Theatre, 3862 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 233-7100. $16.50 advance, $18 day of show. All ages. Map

Blue Cranes, Wow and Flutter

[ALT JAZZ] Blue Cranes is one of those rare combos that appeals to both serious jazz listeners and alt-rock fans. Tonight the Portland quintet celebrates its second album, Homing Patterns, which features a Sufjan Stevens cover and 10 new originals by virtuoso altoist Reed Wallsmith (including one recorded in the MAX tunnel beneath the zoo). With Decemberists tenorman Joe “Sly Pig” Cunningham now aboard, the band features thoughtful, Mingus-influenced excursions that often erupt into raucous, smeary, David Murray-style sax duets. And the Cranes’ rhythm section (keyboardist Rebecca Sanborn, acoustic bassist Keith Brush, drummer Ji Tanzer) cooks throughout. BRETT CAMPBELL. 8 pm. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639. $6. 21+. Map

B-52s, Eagle Seagull

[RAINBOW POP] That's right, the B-52s. Not sure at what point Athens' iconic dance-poppers decided to drop the apostrophe (a grammatical error in the first place), but rest assured, 16 years after their last album, nothing else has changed. Most anyone to ever attend a prom, wedding or, for all I know, funeral in the past two decades has likely grown a bit tired of jibberish-as-orgasmic agitprop shouted above frug-inferno deliria (without ever purchasing a record, I've heard "Love Shack" more times than I've talked with my father), but new release Funplex, absent deadening familiarity, seems thoroughly fresh. A bit more electro, perhaps, harmonies just barely dimmed, but that peculiar sound—the aural equivalent of small-town teen doldrums transcended through sex and music—never will grow old. JAY HORTON. 8 pm. Roseland, 8 NW 6th Ave., 219-9929 (Grill), 224-2038 (Theater). $32.50-$50. All ages. Map

Daniel Menche, Sudden Infant, Trees, The Tenses, Sisprum Vish

[INDUSTRIAL] Brace your head for impact. Berlin-based Sudden Infant, a.k.a. Joke Lanz—industrial-music vet most (in)famous for his work with Catholic Boys In Heavy Leather (oh yeah, you read that right)—is coming to Portland. And he's bringing his goth-spooky take on improvised noise, an Andre Breton-style mindfuck of contact mics, loops, word weirdness and truly scary stuffs, with him. Local sound-brutalist Daniel Menche is on the bill too, taking noise constructions to Matthew Barney-level physicality and keeping the wild equal to the woolly. This isn't one of those zone-out-and-think-about-what's-for-breakfast-tomorrow gigs: This shit will invade your headspace and replace it with something darker, stronger and, ultimately, more rewarding. ERIK BADER. 9:30 pm. Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave., 248-1030. $7. 21+. Map

Norman Sylvester Band

  Tillicum, 8585 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway., 292-1835. Map

Monahans, J. Tillman

[SAD TWANG AND SPACE ROCK] The plan for tonight is to get drunk. That'd be the best way to enjoy Austin- and San Francisco-based (how does that work?) Monahans. The spacey pop-country band's debut, Low Pining, is slightly less depressing than the title would suggest—plenty of big rock moments (the mathy, Neil Young-inspired "Along My Shores," the acoustic majesty of "Traveling Song") combat the album's more sullen numbers ("When You're Down" is twangy and minimal enough to be worthy of Portland's own downer kings, Dolorean). Seattle-based opener J. Tillman plays introspective solo acoustic numbers with similar—if not deeper—twang. Tillman's muddy voice and tendency toward lyrical darkness doesn't preclude a good time, as he likes to joke around between bouts of stark Americana. CASEY JARMAN. 9:30 pm. Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place., 241-8696. $7. 21+. Map

Thursday May 8top

UFO, Zero Down

[HARD ROCK] UFO has been around in one form or another since the early ’70s, and undoubtedly has contributed several fundamental building blocks to the DNA that grew heavy metal out of its hard boogie-rock origins (Metallica and Maiden are quick to cite UFO as an influence). The most revered version of the British hard-rock band featured its second guitarist, ex-Scorpion Michael Schenker. UFO’s latest album, The Monkey Puzzle, features veteran shredder Vinnie Moore; unfortunately, it could easily be the soundtrack to Roadhouse 2. Even worse, original bassist Pete Way was denied a visa—Rob De Luca from the Sebastian Bach Band will cover for him this evening, alongside original founding members singer Phil Mogg and drummer Andy Parker. NATHAN CARSON. 8 pm. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994. $30 advance, $32 day of show. All ages. Map

Jean Ronne, Lee Wuthenow

  Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

DJ Alex Hollywood

  C.C. Slaughters, 219 NW Davis St., 248-9135. Map

Ocelli (Video Release), Salvaged Romance, Y La Bamba, DJ Global Ruckus

  Crown Room, 205 NW 4th Ave., 222-6655. Map

Poi Dog Pondering, The Rainy States

[WORLDBEAT/FOLK ROCK] Hippies should take comfort that the hipster-centric Doug Fir will stink of grass and incense instead of crotch-rot and Pabst, at least for one night. Poi Dog Pondering, the Hawaii-to-Austin-to-Chicago outfit now touting 10-plus members, will be playing a set that's sure to include tracks off its most recent album, 7. But bongs alone won't be enough to comfort those searching for totally tripped-out jams, as 7 leans more Allman Bros than Phish. Although there's no smoking allowed, you can kick back with an organic IPA and relax to the inoffensive sounds of aptly named Portland low-key rockers the Rainy States. AARON COLTER. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $15. 21+. Map

Bill Beach (6 pm)

  London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert (7:30 pm)

[OLD NEW COUNTRY] Growing up, Alan Jackson always seemed to emblemize the redneck tackiness of new country, but, y'know, that was before New Country. After recording dalliances with gospel and Alison Krauss, Jackson's new album, Good Time, nudges closer to mainstream Nashville, but the 17 self-penned tracks spanning more than 70 minutes (for modern country, this compares to a Prince box set) illustrate quiet pleasures and list-happy reminiscences with a relaxed confidence that never panders. In retrospect, maybe Alan Jackson just represented everything foreign and unknowable about an uncomplicated red-state culture—ain't we lucky we got him? JAY HORTON. 7:30 pm. Rose Garden, 1401 N Wheeler Ave., 235-8771. $35-$65. All ages. Map

Tom Grant, Susannah Mars (7:30 pm)

  Wilf's Restaurant, 800 NW 6th Ave., 223-0070. Map

Friday May 9top

Marty Willson-Piper & The Electric Mood Maidens

[GUITAR MAN] One approaches solo releases from the guitarists of long-past-relevant bands with a certain trepidation—the Church, Martin Willson-Piper's redoubtable Australian troupe, always threatened prog excesses in the best of times—but, ill-fated poetry track aside, Willson-Piper seems reborn by new freedoms. Neatly disguising vocal limitations, his fifth solo album, Nightjar, offers a poppier take upon the late-New Wave mannered songcraft that, weirdly, seems far less dependent upon signature riffage. Much of the Church resembled one extended, enigmatic Rickenbacker line (Willson-Piper opened the company's 75th anniversary concert), but I'm no longer sure that was the guitarist's fault. JAY HORTON. 8 pm. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994. $20. All ages. Map

Whiskey Puppy (6:30 pm)

[OLD-TIMEY] Watching someone get lost in the music they are playing has to be one of the best things about going to see live shows, and, in this regard, Whiskey Puppy's Rachel Gold does not disappoint. Whether she's picking her way through a guitar solo or singing an old-time melody, Gold's face is a study in elation, caught up in the swirl of her trio's high-energy bluegrass. This makes for an occasionally uneven performance on the band's part, but I'll take brash enthusiasm and a few imperfections over the stoic purists that compose far too many old-time revivalist acts any day of the week. ROBERT HAM. 6:30 pm. Alberta Street Public House, 1036 NE Alberta St., 284-7665. Free. 21+. Map

IPRC 10-Year Anniversary: Hutch and Kathy, Iretsu, Ghost to Falco

[ECLECTIC] There’s not enough space here to describe all the cool things about the Independent Publishing Resource Center, so go check it out (at IPRC.org) and see why you should be supporting this homegrown project. As for the show, make sure to arrive early on the all-ages, vegan-friendly, high-tech side of this benefit (a.k.a. the Backspace side). Some Thermals are playing later on, but before they start, close your eyes and focus: The haunting and mannered members of Ghost to Falco take advantage of brushed drums, sedate synths, droning bass tones and Eric Crespo’s signatures—melodic experimental guitar and honed vocals that sound like Thurston Moore might if he sang with more confidence. NATHAN CARSON. 8 pm. Backspace, 115 NW 5th Ave., 248-2900. $10 for Backspace and Someday Lounge admission. All ages. Also see Someday Lounge's Friday listing. Map

Neil Masson Quartet w/ Lee Wuthenow

  Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Rogue Bluegrass, Paddy Casey

  Borders-Beaverton, 2605 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., 644-6164. Map

Paul Barkett

  Borders-Vancouver, 811 SE 160th St., (360) 891-2060. Map

Norman Sylvester Band

  Cascade Bar & Grill, 15000 SE Mill Plain Blvd., (360) 254-0749. Map

The NINE

  Crown Room, 205 NW 4th Ave., 222-6655. Map

KT Tunstall, Paddy Casey

[CRAZY-LADY TWEENER POP] KT Tunstall seems to be in a bit of denial. She feuds with Dido about inarguable similarities, changes her first name because "Katie" is not properly rawk, ridicules the excesses of American Idol after a contestant's cover of "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (from Tunstall’s first album) blows up...and then records a follow-up destined for tweener sing-alongs. Whatever the Lilithian vocal tics/tricks and shambling authenticities of her live performances, the equivocation-free confessionals of her soaring choruses demand overstated production and arena dynamics. JAY HORTON. 9 pm. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047. $30 advance, $35 day of show. All ages. Map

DJ Kenoy

  Devils Point, 5305 SE Foster Road., 774-4513. Map

Subtle, Efterklang, Slaraffenland

[WTF? POP?] Sometimes music is easy to label. When you hear Justin Timberlake’s “My Love,” you know it’s, well, a pop song. Classifying a group like Subtle, the Bay Area weirdos who release the final installment of their hero-inspired trilogy, ExitingARM, this month, takes more than a keen ear and a good dictionary. Born from the same scene that spawned experimental hip-hop crossovers like Why? and cLOUDDEAD, Subtle’s music hardly warrants its name; instead of understated melodies and simple beauty, Adam Druckner (also known as Doseone) opts for a clusterfuck of clanging percussion, dissonant notes, guitar-squawk bursts and almost-rap singsong verses. It shouldn’t all hold together, but it does—and if the new album is on par with 2006’s For Hero: For Fool, Subtle’s should be one of the best shows this spring. Just don’t expect a “My Love” cover. MICHAEL MANNHEIMER. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $12. 21+. Map

Sho Time! Sho Dozono Fundraiser: Curtis Salgado, Tom Grant, Devin Phillips

[BLUES/"JAZZ"/JAZZ] What can we deduce about Citizen Sho from the entertainers assembled for tonight's fundraiser? Will Dozono prove as resilient a candidate as headlining blues hero Salgado, who recently fought his way back to health from a bout with liver cancer? Or is he as tiresome a local institution as lite-jazz piano mainstay Tom Grant? As for celebrated saxophonist Devin Phillips, the classic spiritual that titles his latest album, Wade In the Water, may have been chosen with Katrina-drenched New Orleans in mind, but it's a sentiment any Portlander can get behind. JEFF ROSENBERG. 8 pm. Jimmy Mak's, 221 NW 10th Ave., 295-6542. $20-$100. 21+. Map

Big Red and the Juicy Fruits, The Ramjac, The Oblivion Seekers (10 pm); Southerly (7 pm)

  Kelly's Olympian, 426 SW Washington St., 228-3669. Map

'80s Video Dance Attack: VJ Kittyrox

  Lola's Room at the Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047. Map

Bill Beach (6 pm)

  London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

IPRC 10-Year Anniversary: Brandon Summers, Jeremy Wilson, Nann Allemann, Sam Coomes, Sarah Dougher, Jennifer Lynn, Leigh Marble, Carson McWhirter, Tara Jane O'Neil

[ALL-STARS] The other half of tonight's Independant Publishing Resource Center benefit features a ridiculous list of Portland's finest old- and new-school performers. Let's run it on down: There's the Helio Sequence's Brandon Summers, ex-Dharma Bums frontman Jeremy Wilson, Nann Allemann of the Flat Mountain Girls, Sam Coomes from Quasi, the great Sarah Dougher (ex-The Crabs, Cadallaca), country lady Jennifer Lynn, the poptastic Leigh Marble, Carson McWhirter (of Sacto Nintendo-core outfit the Advantage) and experimental pop great Tara Jane O'Neil. If one or more of those names don't ring a bell, you're either a brand-new Portland transplant (nice to meet you), or you need a serious lesson in the last decade or two of Portland's recent rock history. And look, how convenient, tonight is the perfect primer. CASEY JARMAN. 8 pm. Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave., 248-1030. $10 for Someday Lounge and Backspace shows. 21+. Also see Backspace's Friday listing. Map

The Way Downs

  Twilight Room, 5242 N Lombard St., 283-5091. Map

Saturday May 10top

Jerry Douglas

[ACOUSTIC] Fans of Jerry Douglas' virtuoso dobro playing should welcome the chance to appreciate his skills in the intimate Aladdin. When he opened for Paul Simon here in ’06, Douglas’ intricate picking was ill-served by the cavernous acoustics of the Rose Garden's Theater of the Clouds. Despite that, it should be noted, his slide-wielding prowess wowed the staid stadium crowd. Expect much more wowing tonight. JEFF ROSENBERG. 8 pm. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994. $25. All ages. Map

Luni Coleone & Cool Nutz, Kenny Mack, DJ Chill, Ray Ray of G-Ism, Certified, Pricy, Liquid Anthrax

[THAT BIRTHDAY RAP] See Friday Cool Nutz listing. 9:30 pm. Ash Street Saloon, 225 SW Ash St., 226-0430. $12 advance, $10 day of show. 21+. Map

Neil Masson Quartet w/ Lee Wuthenow

  Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Willamette Week's Best New Bands Showcase

[LOCAL AWESOMENESS] See cover story, coming soon. 9 pm. Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579. Free. 21+. Map

DJ Maxamillion

  Beulahland, 118 NE 28th Ave., 235-2794. Map

Acoustic Minds

  Borders-Gresham, 687 NW 12th St., 674-3917. Map

DJ Alex Hollywood

  C.C. Slaughters, 219 NW Davis St., 248-9135. Map

Norman Sylvester Band

  Candlelight Cafe & Bar, 2032 SW 5th Ave., 222-3378. Map

DJ Mello C

  Crown Room, 205 NW 4th Ave., 222-6655. Map

Cloud Cult, Kid Dakota, The Lonely Forest

[WEIRDNESS] Living, strumming, plucking proof that not everything from the Midwest is flat! Cloud Cult singer/guitarist Craig Minowa has played the noble roles of aquatic-exotic-species specialist and assistant to the hearing-impaired, but seems to be settling into the music trade full-time these days. His Minneapolis sextet is still steaming from the release of its enchanting, celebratory record, Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)—which must be the 15th album this year bearing that name. But rest assured, this musical sect is outlandish enough to turn listeners into members. Just don't break the oath and go telling the authorities. MARK STOCK. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $12. 21+. Map

Jazztronica

  East Burn, 1800 E Burnside St., 236-2876. Map

London and the Look, Minmae, Tea Cozies, Little Penguins

[INDIE POP] Seattle garage-pop pretties Tea Cozies bop to a darkly sexy, sauced-up Britpop that’s marinated in such transcendent ’90s girl rock as the Breeders and Elastica. Playful, catchy and smart as a whip, the three girls and one (lucky) guy prove Seattle's scene to be at least one indie band away from completely dead. Local rockers London and the Look take things a shade or two darker, switching up between garage-glam anthems about black leather jackets and stylishly melancholy acoustic dreamers. JAY HORTON. 9 pm. East End, 203 SE Grand Ave., 232-0056. Cover. 21+. Map

Saving Private Brian: Rapids, Sprinkles, Ferocious Eagle, Wax Edison

[FUZZY] Rocking out to the power chords and heavy distortion of Portland's Rapids, it's not hard to envision a simpler and more rocking time in Northwest music. Then you notice that it's Portland legend Sean Croghan (ex-Crackerbash, Jr. High) holding down the vocal duties, making the illusion that much more complete: The mid-'90s live! Sprinkles (hilariously pronounced "thprinkelth") treads similar ground, save for trading Rapids' downer tones for more victorious fuzz. Sprinkles would be one of the most intense bands in Portland if it weren't for its ridiculous lyrics, but a good sense of humor doesn't hurt, either. Despite the night's overall heaviness, Ferocious Eagle might be the loudest band on the bill. Tonight's show is a benefit for Wax Edison drummer Brian Netherton, who fucked up his leg in a freak skateboarding accident. What Wax Edison is doing for a drummer tonight I do not know. CASEY JARMAN. 9:30 pm. Kenton Club, 2025 N Kilpatrick St., 285-3718. Free. Donation suggested. 21+. Map

Bill Beach (6 pm)

  London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Shoeshine Blue, Justin Power, John Vecchiarelli (10 pm); Jamie Stillway w/ Courtney Von Drehle (7 pm)

[SOFT POP] Singer-songwriter John Vecchiarelli could run for mayor and top Dozono and Adams in some districts. The man just exudes a certain gravity, which tugs invisibly at his disciples. Like that bashful record-store track playing beneath the sounds of shuffling jewel cases and pacing feet, Vecchiarelli's sound is small, but only until properly examined. Give the Portlander a few tracks of your undivided attention, and he'll give you several days' worth of introspection in return. Sure, it's a lopsided deal, but you win every time—and you'll find out that being simultaneously big and small is anything but medium. MARK STOCK. 10 pm. Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave., 288-3895. $7 advance, $8 day of show. 21+. Map

Nuggets Night 2: Pink Snowflakes, Mike Coykendall, Blue Skies For Black Hearts, The Family Gun, The Sugarlumps, Giant Bug Village, Benjamin Starshine, The Strange Effects, The Brilliant Channel, Paper Cameras, The Dregs, The Wolfman Fairies, Paul Green School of Rock

[GARAGE ROCK] Last year, the High Violets' Luke Strahota conceived a tribute concert to the indispensable ’60s psych-punk comp, Nuggets, to benefit lead singer Question Mark of ? and the Mysterians. The "96 Tears" shouter, his home destroyed by fire, lived up to his name by asking WW's reporter, "What compilation, now?" This year's beneficiary, the Portland branch of Paul Greene’s School of Rock, will prove its Nuggets savvy by opening tonight's show with some fuzztoned classics—including early Nuge-get "Journey to the Center of the Mind" (the drug anthem made famous by Ted Nugent's old band, Amboy Dukes)—before a list of local luminaries wax lysergic. JEFF ROSENBERG. 9:30 pm. Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th Ave., 223-0099. $7. 21+. Map

Sunday May 11top

Tender Loving Empire's 1st Anniversary Bash: Finn Riggins, Jared Mees & The Grown Children, Super XX Man, Boy Eats Drum Machine, Nadine Mooney, Southern Belle, Newspapers

[BIRTHDAY PARTY POP] Talk about cause for celebration. Tender Loving Empire—the record label, gift shop and proprietor of all things cute owned by local musicians Jared Mees and his wife Brianne—is celebrating its first anniversary in grand style, with a massive party (complete with piñatas, prizes and cake, no doubt) and showcase featuring the label’s finest acts, including the awesome folk-pop stylings of new label signee Super XX Man. The first 50 people through the door will receive a free Friends and Friends of Friends compilation and a chance to see the simple yet haunting whisper-folk songs of Nadine Mooney, whose whimsical debut, MouseHouseWormHole, is among the year’s best so far. MICHAEL MANNHEIMER. 8 pm. Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579. $5. All ages. Map

NOFX, No Use for a Name, American Steel

[CALI POP-PUNK] Agitprop fun in the California sun sounds—to us, anyway—like San Francisco's NOFX, a ribald, pro-dissent pop-punk-pop outfit that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Led by bassist/lyricist/singer and Fat Wreck Chords founder "Fat Mike" Burkett, the foursome proffers a high-octane, ska-derived sound that rocks like hour five of a poli-sci beer-bash. NOFX's members have never sugarcoated their disgust for government and authoritative structures in general, but homicidal tendencies toward the present occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. have inspired an especially livid revolt—what some might term a vitriolic renaissance. Given the sorry state of what passes for punk these days (with its neverending litany of self-pity and insubstantial girl problems), NOFX's tireless polemic salvos in the face of mainstream irrelevance are downright inspiring. RAY CUMMINGS. 9 pm. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047. Sold out. All ages. Map

South, The Silver State, Ki:Theory, Johnny Lloyd Rollins

[INDIE ROCK] You'll have to get out early (as in weird start time 8:20 pm early) to catch all the indie rock action at the Doug Fir tonight. Opener Johnny Lloyd Rollins is just country enough to keep from sliding into contemporary sleepy tunes, and Ki:Theory's use of minimal electronics is just enough to set its sound apart from others in the same vein. Brooklyn's the Silver State doesn't have much new to offer, but the headliner, London's South, is sure to get those toes a-tappin' with emotionally loaded lyrics, beautiful chords and soft, catchy hooks. AARON COLTER. 8:20 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $10 advance, $12 day of show. 21+. Map

Scrap Benefit: Party Killer, Beta Crack, Sassparilla, DJ Yeah Yeah

  Liberty Hall, 311 N Ivy St., 249-8888. Map

Eli Reischman (5:30 pm); Jean Ronne (9:30 am)

  London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Kate Nash, The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players

[FAMILY MATTERS] The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players have a good schtick: Daddy Jason handles gitbox, piano and vocals; 14-year-old Rachel plays drums and sings backup (the band began in 2000; you do the math), and Mama Tia Piña projects slideshows of random-ass pictures purchased at garage sales while goofball yarns are sung about the people therein. But see it quick—the cute-kid novelty is destined to be lost to time, at least until Trachtenburg grandbabies are born and/or a middle-aged Rachel leads her elderly parents into the age of iPhoto slideshows. AP KRYZA. 8 pm. Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St., 284-8686. $17 advance, $18 day of show. All ages. Map

Monday May 12top

Chris Boone

  Crown Room, 205 NW 4th Ave., 222-6655. Map

Atmosphere, Abstract Rude, DJ Rare Groove

[NARRATIVE RAP] Minneapolis' Atmosphere has been doing the clever-rap thing for more than a decade, but with new release When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, the rapper-producer duo steps fully out from under Aesop Rock's long shadow and heads a completely new (and unique) direction. Somehow more of a rock or R&B record than rap, When Life Gives You Lemons finds beatsmith Ant working with slower, contemplative rhythms as well as guitars, while MC Slug channels the reluctantly abandoned hopes and disappointment of thirtysomethings everywhere with a narrative style akin to that of the Mountain Goats' John Darnielle. Live, Atmosphere has been performing with a full band, carving out a niche somewhere between rap and college rock. Highly recommended. JIM SANDBERG. 8 pm. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047. $20 advance, $23 day of show. All ages. Map

Kate Walsh, Brandi Shearer, Quincy Coleman

[SINGER-SONGWRITER] Anyone going to see a Kate Walsh show thinking they might get to see Addison, that slutty doc who porked McDreamy on Grey's Anatomy, will be in for a big surprise. The other Kate Walsh—the one that is not an actress and is a bit less familiar—is a vocalist/guitarist from Essex, England, whose homemade album Tim's House is damn near perfect. Scalawags in the U.K. press have labeled the unsigned singer-songwriter a “British Joni Mitchell.” And it's easy to see why: Her simply strummed, stripped-down melodies (especially on final track "Fireworks") have Mitchell's Both Sides Now vibe. She's one to watch. BYRON BECK. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $10. 21+. Also at Music Millennium. 5 pm. Free. All ages. Map

Pink Snowflakes (7 pm); Brandi Shearer, Kate Walsh, Quincy Coleman (5 pm)

[SINGER-SONGWRITER] See Monday Doug Fir listing. 5 pm. Music Millennium, 3158 E Burnside St., 231-8926. Free. All ages. Map

Au, Modernstate, Geoff Soule

[EXPERIMENTAL POP] See cover package, coming soon. 9 pm. Valentine's, 232 SW Ankeny St., 248-1600. Cover. 21+. Map

Tuesday May 13top

The Proclaimers, Jeremy Fisher

[NERD FOLK] Doomed to one-hit-wonderdom or disregarded as throwback ’90s kitsch, the Proclaimers’ talent is often overlooked as soon as they start talking about walking 500 miles and “havering.” But the fugly, identical Edinburgh nerdlingers have a wonderful knack for folk pop, and aven ef you doan anderstand wha’ the fock they’re sayin,’ there’s a playful whimsy to their aching yet upbeat songs, all laced with stark harmonic wordplay. “Havering” means mumbling, by the by, not vomiting after watching Benny & Joon. AP KRYZA. 8 pm. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994. $18 advance, $20 day of show. All ages. Map

Bill Beach & Brasil Beat

  Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. Map

The Little Ones, Ra Ra Riot, Pep Assembly

[INDIE POP] Gliding between semi-brooding and intense compositions, synth-pop playfulness and old-fashioned indie androgyny, Syracuse’s Ra Ra Riot’s songs are the kind that stick to the brain like a burr. It’s difficult to stop humming tunes like “Each Year”—they lodge in your frontal lobe and, pick and pick though you may, they’re not coming out. Tonight, Riot is joined by the high-fructose pop of the Little Ones and local post-punkers Pep Assembly. AP KRYZA. 9:30 pm. Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place., 241-8696. $8. 21+. Map