Japanese doom metal foursome Church of Misery prefers that the adjectival form of “stoner” not be used to describe their sound. Personally, I’m a huge fan of sticky stoner riffs. But I respect these comely gentlemen and the fact they consider their gigs temples of doom. Whatever your preferred parsing, thrill to low-end guru Church of Misery at Sister (407 Central NW) on Thursday, Nov. 21. This 21-and-over gig cranks up to 11 at 9pm. Bring some earplugs and a $15 cover. … and some smelling salts. Against the Grain and Shoggoth open.
Four Up Bay Of Psych
Standard Poodle
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When it comes to band names, I’m hopelessly jaded. My inbox is perpetually jam-packed with alternately pretentious and sophomoric musical monikers. Yet San Francisco-based post-punk group Standard Poodle’s name immediately called forth a genuine grin. Their newest EP, The Salt Mine, was released on Monday, Nov. 18, and it’s psych, power-pop and rawk-licious. Live, they’re gonna be loud. Commune with Standard Poodle, Pumpin’ For Jill and Terri Schiavo Dance Party at Low Spirits (2823 Fourth Street NW) on Thursday, Nov. 21. The 21-plus show’s cover is $5, and the party starts at 9pm.
Four Up Flight Tenor
Annie Lewandowski
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Annie Lewandowski, powerdove’s prime mover, has performed for grateful audiences for over seven years. Lewandowski has also toured with The Curtains and Xiu Xiu and embraced the powerdove moniker in 2011. Originally a solo project, she enlisted John Dieterich (Deerhoof) and Thomas Bonvalet (L’Ocelle Mare) on the latest, Do You Burn? It’s difficult to concisely describe, incorporating so many disparate elements, but you need to hear it. This time around, powerdove’s solo. On Tuesday, Nov. 26, see powerdove, Park Detail’s Band and Tapered at Spirit Abuse (1103 Fourth Street NW). The party starts at 9pm, and it’s free.
Four Up Spectral Honey
Moon Honey
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The self-described “psychedelic bees” of Moon Honey hail from Baton Rouge, La. If you’ve ever traveled through “red stick,” you know it’s not exactly a hotbed of rock shenanigans. But Louisiana does have a storied history of musical innovation. From cajun croonin’ to bounce—especially sissy bounce—and big band or street-walkin’ jazz, there’s something in the filé, cher. Also on the bill, New Jersey punk crew Screaming Females could just as easily be the headliner. Local folk/acoustic “hipster family” Cactus Tractor opens this triad spectacle at Sister (407 Central NW) on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The 21-and-over show kicks off at 8pm, and admission is only five clams.
