Thursday, Apr. 6
Built To Spill Listening Party
Ringler’s Annex, 5 p.m.
Remember Built To Spill? You used to listen to their records on repeat, memorizing all the hooks and harmonies and worshiping the long instrumental passages. You went to their shows and realized sometimes jamming can be a good thing. Then Doug Martsch released a solo acoustic album and you thought about buying it, but just couldn’t muster up the motivation. Now they’re back with a new album and you’re wondering: do they still have it? Here’s your chance to find out.
Friday, Apr. 7
Clem Snide, Richmond Fontaine, Luca
Doug Fir, 9 p.m. $8 advance, $10 DOS, 21+
Time to put my hater-hat on. Clem Snide is weaksauce. First off, one of their songs was featured as the theme song to “Ed,” one of the lamest, most precious shows since “Gilmore Girls.” Secondly, their lead singer Eef Barzelay is clever, but more in an annoying David Sedaris way than a cool Elvis Costello way. Thirdly, the dude had the nerve to write a song about how wonderful his new wife and child are. Even John Mayer probably thinks that’s lame.
Saturday, Apr. 8
John Vanderslice, Crystal Skulls, Kelley Stoltz
Doug Fir, 9 p.m. $10, 21+
I have the shameful habit of referring to John Vanderslice as “John V-Slice.” For example, I might say “John V-Slice’s latest album Pixel Revolt totally won me over. Its got hooks, gorgeous but spare arrangements, and amazing lyrics. I used to think he was crazy overrated, but now I’m convinced the V-Slice is for real.” If for some reason this nickname caught on (hint hint), well, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so ashamed.
Monday, Apr. 9
Subtle, Fog, Jel
Doug Fir, 9 p.m. $8, 21+
Anticon represent! The avant-garde rap group Subtle is fronted by Doseone (cloudDead and Themselves) and is a hip-hop group only in the sense that some of the members rap. Besides that, Subtle has more in common with ambient techno or experimental indie rock than rap music.
Tuesday, April 10
Queen with Paul Rodgers (of Bad Company)
Rose Garden, 8 p.m. $50-$200+, All Ages
Can you still be a band when your singer is dead? If you’re AC/DC, you just find a singer who sounds exactly like your old one. If you’re The Doors, you get the guy from The Cult to sing like Jim Morrison. Now comes Queen fronted by Paul Rodgers from Bad Company, and I’m guessing that you’ve got to really, really love Queen to want to witness such a pathetic spectacle. But people still go on cruises to see Journey, so I suppose for true believers great bands never die.