Entertainment's Different Sides: Jim Rose, Backstage Music Series

It's going to be a curious week. There are a lot of diverse things going on, a lot of different shows. Sometimes it just happens that way. Jim Rose sneak-previewed the newest addition of his Side Show Circus before an audience of local musicians, folks from TV's "Northern Exposure" and the like last Wednesday. The highlight, without a doubt, was the Chainsaw Football. The show goes out on the road later this month for a shakedown tour and returns to Seattle in May. They've been advertised as "The Live Side of the Mountain" nights, special shows at the Backstage hosted by radio station KMTT-FM. The idea is to feature earlier start times, lower volumes and less cigarette smoke. Shows for people that have few choices in where they can go for live music.

Well, they must not be doing too badly, because it's "The Live Side of the Weekend" featuring Texas guitarist Chris Duarte tonight and Oysterband tomorrow night.

Duarte is a high-powered, passionate musician who has been compared to a lot of other players including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn. He's in town recording at Bad Animals and it looks like he's going to use the Backstage as a place to keep himself warmed up. His performance at the club last December was one of the highlights of the year.

Opening will be local guitar man Dave Conant & the D-Rangers. 8:30 p.m., $6.

Tomorrow night, it's Oysterband, prime purveyors of "roots rock."

The band's instrumental arsenal includes fiddle, melodeon, accordion, guitar, drums, bass, cello and lots of vocals. They can be gritty, but they produce pearls. An exceptional band.

The Clumsy Lovers will open. 8:30, $13.50 advance, $15 at the door. You only have to say it once: Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine will be at the Off Ramp tomorrow night. Yes, Jim Bob and Fruitbat, the British bad boys of pop and politics, will bring their new release, "Post Historic Monsters," and more than likely a few older favorites for a night of music and merriment. Lotion will open. How appropriate. $9, 9:30. Those white punks The Tubes, and original frontman Fey Waybill, are at the Firehouse Sunday.

If you missed The Gits/Mia Zapata benefit party and record release at the Weathered Wall yesterday, well they're doing it again at the Crocodile Cafe tomorrow night. Along for the ride will be Gary Heffern, Carrie Akre, Hell Upside Down, Rag, Bully Pulpit and Job. Again, this is a benefit for a good cause. $6 donation.

And Wednesday The Deflowers will hold their CD-release party at the Croc-er.

The band known to set itself on fire for the greater edification of its audience, !Tchkung!, will play Moe's along with the indescribable Hitting Birth tomorrow night. Assurances have been made that this will be a nonflammable show, so leave the asbestos suit at home.

Incidentally, last Sunday's premier Acid Jazz Party with Spice at Moe's was a resounding success, bringing together people of all persuasions who simply came to dance! They'll be doing it again Sunday at 9 p.m.

Reality bites closer to home. Doc Martened comedian-actress Janeane Garofalo, who has been getting a lot of attention for her role in that Winona Ryder movie, will be appearing at the Comedy Underground tomorrow night. But because of scheduling conflicts with the taping of her role on "The Larry Sanders Show" it's the only night she can play. Garofalo is very in-your-face, but very funny.

On the bright side, Seattle's Jan Barrett, who recently got rave reviews opening for comedian Louie Anderson in Anchorage, will be headlining tonight and Sunday.

One of the finest harmonica players ever, Norton Buffalo, is at the Fenix Underground Sunday night. This guy is amazing and very entertaining.