Wednesday, August 2
Sleater-Kinney, The Rogers Sisters
As much fun as it is to see a band bloated and dazed, it’s way cooler to be one of the people in the audience bragging that you got to see them when. This may be your last chance, ahead of their 2021 reunion show, on the strength on the unexpected breakthrough success of Quasi’s 18th studio album, Hot Shit IV.
Webster Hall, 125 E. 11th St. (betw. 3rd & 4th Aves.), 212- 353-1600; 8, $17.
DJ Spooky’s Subliminal Strings
We love DJ Spooky because he goes through with all of the sorts of kooky, awesome ideas we used to think up. To date, he’s remixed the film Birth of a Nation, penned a book examining the cross-section of turntablism and media theory and collaborated with Slayer’s drummer. This time around, it’s That Subliminal Kid, a bunch of string players and picture show.
Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. (betw. Astor Pl. & E. 4th St.), 212-254-1263; 9:30, $20.
Dawn
For those born after 1988, imagine Mr. Show’s Three Time One Minus One, except without the, you know, intentional laughter.
Maxwell’s, 1039 Washington St. (at 11th St.), Hoboken, 201-798-0406; 9, $10/$12.
BO DIDDLEY
All right, so you invented rock and roll, but what have you done for us lately?
B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42 St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-997-4144; 8, $32.50/$35.
Thursday, August 3
Professor Murder
A post-punk band named Professor Murder, vinyl shopping and cupcakes. Okay, who’s been reading my diary?
Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-253-0036; 8, TBA.
The Meters
The quintessential NoLa funk band, gaining fans like Dr. John and The Rollings Stones at the height of their success, and even recording a single with Paul McCartney’s Wings, though you shouldn’t hold that against them.
Nokia Theater Times Square, 1515 Broadway (at W. 44th St.), 212-930-1950; 9, $45.
The New Pornographers, Calexico, The Frames
Sugary pop so sweet, it’s sure to draw ants to the picnic.
Central Park Summerstage, Rumsey Playfield, 72nd St. at CPW, 212-360-2756; 6-10, $30/$35.
Soul Asylum
It may seem hard to believe, but Soul Asylum has been around for more than 20 years. Where have they been for the past 10? We’ll spare you the “Runaway Train” jokes.
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. (at 15th St.), 212-777-1224; 8, $25/$30.
Entrance, Lights, Dionysius
Those crazy whiteboys and their blues. Entrance does a remarkable job transcending the Delta style of the genre, through panes of fuzzy psych-folk.
Tonic, 107 Norfolk St. (betw. Essex and Suffolk Sts.), 212-358-7501; 8, $10.
Friday, August 4
Page France
Hello, Dear Wind was quite possibly the great overlooked gem of 2005, harkening back to a time when singing about Jesus was actually a disservice to an indie rock band. Suicide Squeeze the lovely little acoustic record this year, hoping to repeat the feat.
Union Hall, 702 Union St. (at 5th Ave.), Park Slope, B’klyn, 718-638-4400; 8, $8.
Saturday, August 5
Tim Fite
Tim Fite exists in the nonexistent overlap of country and hip-hop. He’s a bit like Beck, with a bad haircut, and a penchant for embracing goofiness to its seemingly illogical end, and having a hell of a good time in the meantime.
Spiegel, Fulton Fish Market, Pier 17; 11:55 p.m., $15.
Spazzstock
Looks like they let evaporation take its course, then added more water because the Sea Monkeys are back. Also: chimp movies. Be sure to bring your own mud for the naked hippy dancing.
Union Pool, 484 Union Ave. (at Meeker), Brooklyn, 718-609-0484; 8, $7.
Japanther, Z’s,
Parts & Labor
Get ready for screaming and bagpipes, the Brooklyn bands are not going away and there’s enough on this lineup to make your ears bleed for hours. It’s outdoors, so at least there’s some reprieve.
1105 Metropolitan (at Grand St.), Brooklyn; 1-9 p.m., $10 donation.
Sunday, August 6
JARS OF CLAY
With all of the success of Sufjan and The Danielsons in the last couple of years, isn’t it about time for a big time resurrection of this Illinois quartet? Throw in a duet with Half-Handed Cloud, and a 9.0 Pitchfork review or two, and you’ve got yourself the biggest comeback since that outbreak of food poisoning at the last supper.
B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42 St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-997-4144; 8, $23.50/$26.
Gravy Train!!!!, VIP, Puddin Tang
All I’m saying is !!! better watch their back. Gravy Train!!!! tosses off the smut with enough abandon to make Peaches blush—and is not afraid to nab an exclamation mark or two, when your back is turned.
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. B’way & Church St.), 212-219-3132; 8, $10/$12.
Monday, August 7
Gary Numan
Remember all of those times you’ve been jammed up against the wall at MisShapes, drinking a $10 beer, regretting all of those times you took oxygen for granted, while some your ears were assaulted by the bass line of some electroclash tune? Well, without this man, none of that dream would have been possible. W/ New Skin.
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. (at 15th St.), 212-777-1224; 8,$25.
Manu Chao
Forget Ricky, the Latin explosion started way back in the ’80s when this man came on the scene. And since he’s never seen that sort of success, people still listen to him and lap this stuff up.
Prospect Park Bandshell (Prospect Park West & 9th St.), Park Slope, Brooklyn;$25, 7.
Tuesday, August 8
Red Krayola
There’s a fine line between tenacity and insanity, though it’s doubtful too many people were surprised when Mayo Thompson firmly landed in the latter. Since 1966, Thompson has been fronting the Red Krayola, pushing the envelope through psych, punk and post-punk, well into these heady days of post-everything.
Northsix, 66 N. 6th St. (betw. Kent & Wythe Ave.), Brooklyn, 718-599-5103; 8, $12.
