The Club Scene: Look to Neko Case and Sonic Youth for weekend kicks

But then again, that is coming from the person who is working with several local computer mavens and research physicians to see if it is possible to have an audio track of "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood," Case's latest record on ANTI, implanted directly in one's brain. So perhaps I am not the best judge.

Actually, to be fair, it is a fairly slow week for club shows. Most of the really big shows happen in the theaters: In addition to Neko Case, Sonic Youth is at The Moore tonight (8; $25 at Ticketmaster), and Thursday brings a two-night stand from Social Distortion (7; $25.50 at Ticketmaster).

Then, that pesky blowing-stuff-up holiday disrupts next week. Clubs close, as bands take the week off and audiences head out of town. If you don't want to watch skyrockets in flight, there are only a couple of offerings on the holiday itself.

The Crocodile brings you The Quiet Ones -- an ironic choice, given what will be happening several blocks away in the air over Elliott Bay (9 p.m.; $6).

The Funhouse, which probably would continue partying even in the midst of a volcanic explosion, offers Rain City Shwillers and FallenSleepless (9:30 p.m.; $5).

Festival wrap-ups

Not everyone is hibernating this weekend, though. The Suicide Squeeze 10th anniversary party kicked off its three-day run at Neumo's Thursday night with an enthusiastic crowd.

Tonight, the festival continues with Black Heart Procession, Chin Up Chin Up, Crystal Skulls and the Magic Magicians (whose main songwriter, John Atkins, played in the label's flagship band, 764-4376), as well as a set by comedian Eugene Mirman (8; $14 at TicketsWest).

Saturday, the festival concludes at Neumo's with Minus the Bear, Earlimart, Metal Hearts and Headphones, the electronic side project of Pedro the Lion's David Bazan (8 p.m.; $12 at TicketsWest). And, of course, more Mirman. This will test the cosmic theory that it is not possible to get enough Mirman.

The other big event concluding this week is A Drink for the Kids, the weeklong, alcohol-fueled fundraiser that benefits Vera Project. The wrap-up happens tonight at The Showbox with a special version of the madcap game show "Iron Composer" pitting Fred Armisen against Marty Crandall and Dave Hernandez of The Shins.

Tickets were sold at ADFK events earlier in the week, but there is a possibility that tickets are still available at The Showbox box office tonight for $30. The extra $5 is your shame cost for not knocking back a few for the Vera crew earlier in the week.

Local a go-go

Get a taste of our neighbors to the south at PDXplore!, a new monthly showcase of bands from Portland that kicks off tonight at The Sunset with The High Violets and Point Juncture, WA (7; $5). The series is curated by the ubiquitous John Richards of KEXP, Portland resident and Gang of Four bassist Dave Allen and Portland Tribune music writer Barbara Mitchell, and will happen on the last Friday of every month at The Sunset.

Speaking of local music, last week saw the reunion of seminal Seattle band Love Battery. The band played its first show in more than five years. If you happened to miss it, Love battery will be playing an early show at the High Dive on Saturday (6 p.m.; $6 at Brownpapertickets.com).

And for those who prefer something with slightly less melody and a little more chaos, experimental and ambient-noise band Na releases its new CD, "Naisnice" (Pax), on Sunday at Chop Suey (9 p.m.; $6). Na performances can vary wildly in tone and overall theme (the band improvises many of its pieces), but always feature fascinating interactions between the players.

Tizzy Asher welcomes your feedback, comments and juicy gossip. Reach her at tizzyasher@gmail.com.

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