CMJ Musicfest 2003

Much brand new material is being unleashed from the Bloodshot Records gang—from both the twang-tradition bending side (ace indy rocker Bare, retro-pomo master Burch, party-time honky tonker Hancock) and the tradition busting end. Bluegrass busters Split Lip Rayfield return after a couple of years worth of hiatus. Also: Waco Brothers, Trailer Bride, Th' Legendary Shack *Shakers, Dollar Store. At 1 p.m. Also, Fri, Tonic. MAZOR

ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN+THE STILLS
Webster Hall, 125 E 11th, 212.353.1600

For all the new wave leftovers (like my brother) and their younger sisters who shoulda been born in the early-'70s (like me), Ian McCullough (the Echo) and his Bunnymen play a 25th Anniversary Tour. Their neo-psychedelic gloom has more to do with '90s alt-rock than they get credited for. Listen up for "The Killing Moon" and other Ocean Rain classics to see what I mean. Opening are their likeminded progeny, the Stills, four good-looking lads from Montreal, who are better than Schminterpol. At 8. The Stills also play Wed at Hilton Hotel. KIM

'KILL ROCK STARS PRESENTS': SLUMBER PARTY+THE DECEMBERISTS
Luxx, 256 Grand St, Bklyn, 718.599.1000

On 3, the Detroit chicks of Slumber Party wear their love of Brill Building girl-group-isms and the Velvet Underground on their faded flannel PJs' sleeves. Beneath their grand orchestrations and English accents, the Decemberists' lyrics include "you're escorted through the foyer" and "I can see your undies." Also: Jeff Hanson and the experimentally inclined Indiana garage band John Wilkes Booze. At 9. WOLK

PHAROAHE MONCH+MASTA ACE
Makor, 25 W 67th, 212.601.1000

Two icons of the early new school, or late old school, who've been kept afloat by the hip-hop underground. Monch is as deadly as ever, and along with Talib Kweli, gives the struggling Rawkus reason to hope. Ace has been reliably churning out hits for 15 years, from the Cold Chillin' era to recent self-doubting backpack numbers. Also: Wordsworth (see Fri in Music listings), Hezekiah, Lone Catalyst, Asheru, Family Tree, Doujah Raze, Kice of Course, Binkis, 00 Agents. At 8. CARAMANICA

PLASTIKMAN+JOSH WINK
Avalon, 47 W 20th, 212.807.7780
See the Club Crawl. At 9.

PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES+DANCE DISASTER MOVEMENT
Knitting Factory Main Space, 74 Leonard, 212.219.3006

Seattle's Pretty Girls Make Graves, fronted by fireball singer Andrea Zollo play sinewy energetic post-punk. Their most recent album has been criticized for being too glossy, but live they're all raw volatility. The strangely fetching Dance Disaster Movement are two guys with disco last names and stylized stage getups who played damaged, jittery, pulsing electronic music. Also: the Gossip, Young People, Cobra High, Panthers. At 9. ROSEN

THE SHINS+THE THERMALS+THE CONSTANTINES+MICHAEL YONKERS BAND
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey, 212.533.2111
See the Short List. Also: Arlo, All Night Radio. At 8. WOLK

SHONEN KNIFE+THE GORE GORE GIRLS+THE PAYBACKS
Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave, Bklyn, 718.230.0236

A bill of estrogen ecstatics. You might remember the headliners' early-'90s song, "Catnip Dream" ("Catnip is a kitty cat drug"/"Meow Meow"). Last year, the Japanese power-pop duo released Heavy Songs, which ran a gamut of styles like Cibo Matto's Stereotype A. Like CM, Shonen Knife are derivative but that doesn't mean they aren't fun. Meanwhile, the Gore Gore Girls and the Paybacks are garage rock from Detroit fronted by women. Hear them roar. With the Hentchmen and Newborn Naturals. At 8. Shonen Knife also play Sun and Mon at Knitting Factory. KIM

THE WEAKERTHANS+MICO
CBGB, 315 Bowery, 212.982.4052

The Weakerthans are four Canadian boys who recently ditched politico-punk in favor of tuneful, laid-back character sketches and twentysomething philosophizing, with a fine helping of pedal steel on the side and indie boy drawl. Mico's handful of good tunes and instrumentals are weighed down by drab art-rock touches and meandering instrumentals. With Bad Wizard, Don Caballero, Maritime, Copperpot, and Pitty Sing. At 7. Also, Tue, Knitting Factory. HOARD