Catch O' The Week: Presidents Do Their Part For Ocean Aid

We in the Northwest are probably more aware of the importance of the ocean then our landlocked neighbors. And probably no area is more brutally aware of how those resources have, and are, being depleted and poisoned.

On Sunday, Ocean Aid, the world's first alliance of international environmental organizations (the Tides Foundation, American Ocean Campaign, National Fish and Wildlife Association and others), kicks off a series of concerts to aid and promote awareness of the world's oceans, and how to better manage those resources. There will be 30 shows across three continents through '95.

Seattle's participation will be Wednesday at the Backstage. Featured will be the Presidents of the United States, whose many songs about amphibious creatures, plus the fact that they're one of the most entertaining bands slogging the Seattle circuit, make them a perfect catch. Also on the bill is the excellent Sister Psychic, whose last album included the tracks "Blue River" and "I Can't Breathe," and the fine band Pilot (any further fish references are unnecessary). Show time is 8:30 p.m.; tickets are $6. Good show, good price, good cause.

The Backstage has some other noteworthy shows pending. Tonight, virtuoso bassist Rob Wasserman, who canceled his last gig here because he broke his arm at Woodstock '94, will team up with English songwriter John Wesley Harding. Both are exceptional composers and musicians, alone and together.

Tomorrow the Dave Matthews Band hits the 'stage. Matthews comes from South Africa by way of Virginia, and his band is a highly musical melange of folk, blues and rock with an other-worldly turn.

Thursday, the incredibly soulful street veteran Ted Hawkins returns. If you missed his last performance here, don't make the same mistake again. -- Is there some edict that says any piece written about Grant Lee Buffalo must include the word "dustbowl"? It certainly appears so. But this L.A. trio is decidedly more Southern (California) Gothic than Midwest wasteland. Leader Grant Lee Phillips credits a childhood listening to the Beatles, Ray Price and the Partridge Family, a stint with Shiva Burlesque and touring with Cracker as the means to realizing the GLB sound. The band is currently charting with the beautifully mournful "Mockingbird" - that's the video where everyone wears bad bird suits - but the new CD, "Mighty Joe Moon," can also be mighty joe mean. The Buffalo plays the Moe tonight with Giant Sand. American Music Club plays tomorrow. Also: The big secret Sunday show is Sunny Day Real Estate, Shudder to Think and Citizen's Utility, and Monday introduces Moe Funk night. Guaranteed funkodaciousness. -- So many good shows, so little space. RKCNDY and The End welcome Beastie Boys discovery Luscious Jackson and Ben Harper to the house of RK tonight. Tomorrow it's Pop Will Eat Itself, Compulsion and Dink all trying to outdo one another on the "In Your Face" meter. Thursday it's Jesus Lizard, Pegboy and Kepone.

The nationally known Sunny Day Real Estate - the group was on "The Jon Stewart Show" - appears tomorrow at DV8 with Shudder To Think and Soul Coughing, whose "Screenwriter's Blues" is getting a lot of late-night radio play.

Gifted singer/songwriter and acclaimed live performer Katell Keineg graces the Tractor Tavern Monday. Thursday it's the JML Songwriter Circle with Orville Johnson, Rudy Yuly, Babe Gurr, Reggie Garrett and Barbara Kessler. These are always loose and fun.

Tonight the Best Kissers in The World hold their "Firing Our Manager" party. Tomorrow Zapp & Roger - or Roger & Zapp - and the Dazz Band do Under The Rail. Also tomorrow, Faith & Disease holds its CD release party at the O.K. Hotel.