MOTÖRHEAD, CLUTCH, VALIENT THORR
SLABTOWN BENDER: NOBUNNY, PAT TODD AND THE RANKOUTSIDERS, LIQUORBALL, HANK IV, FLASH FLOOD AND THE DIKES, & MORE(Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th) It's likely that many people won't have the slightest clue who any of the bands are that're playing this year's Bender. But for those who fancy themselves connoisseurs of music of the weirdo/obscuro variety and can count the years spent record-bin diving on more than one hand, the Bender is garage rock's answer to Hajj. And tonight's show might be the most diverse of the lot, with the left-field country of Flash Flood and the Dikes and the unpredictable stomp of Bay Area punk rock harbingers Hank IV. But I have a sneaking suspicion that it's tonight's rare performance from La La Land's Liquorball that will have rock 'n' roll oldsters lining up in the cold. The band—fronted by former Monoshock member Grady Runyan—came out of hibernation in 2009 with the release of Evolutionary Squalor. It should be noted that Runyan also runs renowned Ventura, California, vinyl mecca Grady's Record Refuge. Notice a theme here? MARK LORE Also read our article on Nobunny.
FERNANDO, CASEY NEILL AND THE NORWAY RATS, THE WELFARE STATE(Dante's, 1 SW 3rd) Fernando Viciconte originally released True Instigator two years back as a free download on his website. Viciconte thought it would be his final album, but R.E.M.'s Peter Buck took him aside at a show and offered to play on his next record. Thusly compelled out of retirement, Viciconte is now giving True Instigator a proper release, and a proper release show to go along with it. The album's a wide-ranging, crimson-hued rock record that begins with a cover of Hank Williams' "Angel of Death" and moves through a pageant of Fernando's pop, country, and Latin-tinged songwriting. What's more, Fernando and Buck have plans to record some new material this coming year. NED LANNAMANN
A complete listing of this week's shows can be viewed here.