THEY AIN'T WUSSY-FOOTIN' AROUND: WUSSY'S CLASSIC CHOPS

(El Corazon) Wussy is the amazing band out of Cincinnati that's so old-school normal—consisting of guitars/drums/vocals and trafficking in concrete songs about life—that these days they seem almost exotic. Wussy are so good at what they do (think Richard & Linda Thompson fronting Crazy Horse) that they routinely send music critics into blissful raptures. (Forget Robert Christgau's years of praising Wussy as "the best band in America"—Wussy's latest record Attica! received a longform thinkpiece in the freaking Los Angeles Review of Books.) If you appreciate a good old-fashioned rock band whose only innovation is the density of its brilliance (music, lyrics, vocals, chemistry, noise), do not miss Wussy. Opening the show: Seattle pop-rockers the Jake Marsh Trio and the self-described "subdued thrasher bluegrass artist" Poiena & the Lucid Dreamers. DAVID SCHMADER
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THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE KING BUZZO

(Neumos) Over his storied musical career, there are three defining characteristics that distinguish the almighty Buzz Osbourne from the rest of the flock—the howl, the hair, and, of course, the heaviness (of the music, that is). But with his newest side project, King Buzzo, the afro-puffed front man of Aberdeen’s second-biggest-band ever, Melvins, has turned off the ear-crushing amps for the time being and opted for an acoustic guitar, showing the true range of his awesomeness/weirdness. What can we expect? Surprisingly heavy acoustic riffage, unique and strange ballads, and undoubtedly some hilarious between-song banter. All hail King Buzzo! KEVIN DIERS
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TOUGH TO HATE ON A BAND CALLED BEACHDICK

(Barboza) At which point does Seattle hit market saturation on bands making crunchy, blown-out garage rock? Has it happened already? Certainly, there is an audience for it: How else would Beachdick, purveyors of dirt-caked instrumental surf punk, be headlining Barboza? To be fair to Beachdick, two things must be said. First thing's first: if "dirt-caked instrumental surf punk" is your thing—I'm looking at you, with your arms crossed and PBR in hand—these dudes do it well. "Christian Tingle" is a particularly lovely piece of cacophony, all trebly guitar solos and wordless moan-shouts. Second thing is, it's difficult to hate on a band called Beachdick. Plus, if greasy-haired garage isn't your thing, you've got the double whammy of electro-pop acts Clutch Douglass and Dearly Departed opening, in a delightful bit of eclectic curation. KYLE FLECK
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FREMONT FAIR: IT'S MORE THAN JUST SOME NAKED BICYCLISTS, Y'ALL

(Redhook Main Stage) The 43rd Annual Fremont Fair celebrates “delibertas quirkas” (uh, that’s the “freedom to be peculiar”), but it isn’t JUST a bunch of art cars or ballsy naked bicyclists—nor is it JUST a super colorful parade celebrating the summer Solstice. This year the Fair adds a live music stage, introducing the “Solstice Concert Series.” And a big body-painted high five to the booker! Friday brings the excellent local rock, plus Built to Spill and more, and Saturday is an A+ hiphop and funk showcase with Cascadia ’10, the Flavr Blue, the Physics, and the Blue Scholars. THE BLUE SCHOLARS! It’s been a bunch of summers since you’ve seen those boys. Full schedule at fremontfair.com. KELLY O
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And here's all our recommended music events—tonight, tomorrow, and beyond!