Friday, October 21
Symmetry/Symmetry, Violet Isle
Boon’s Treasury, 888 Liberty St. NE
9 p.m., free, 21+
For those not invited to Doug Hoffman’s “Heaven and Hell” private Halloween party – which features Symmetry/Symmetry (Heaven) and Los Angeles band The Peculiar Pretzelmen (Hell) later this month – this concert at Boon’s Treasury will be the only chance to check out Salem favorite Symmetry/Symmetry around town this Fall. The experimental alt-pop combo is teaming up with Portland buddies Violet Isle, which features Salem resident Alva Valencia on bass. Violet Isle has been making waves in the super-competitive indie pop scene in Portland lately, landing a spot on the MusicFestNW bill and performing at the Crystal Ballroom last spring. If you’re interested in modern alternative and like McMenamins, I highly suggest this show.
Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22
First Annual Boots and Spurs Event
Roxxy Northwest, 1230 State St.
9 p.m., free on Friday, $5 on Saturday, 21+
Roxxy Northwest is holding true to its promise to feature an eclectic array of live entertainment – recently installing a weekly dance night (hosted by Einstein the producer) on Thursdays to complement the various rock concerts the venue kicked off with the past few weeks. During the weekend of October 21-22 the new venue will expand its scope even further, hosting the “First Annual Boots and Spurs” event, which features two country acts: Salem’s “Showdown” on Friday, and Portland’s “Coyote Creek” on Saturday. Both bands are solid, but Friday’s show features a local favorite and a free cover charge – hard to beat that. To purchase tickets, call Roxxy Northwest at (503) 990-8142 or visit the venue during its hours of operation.
Saturday, October 29
Tentacle Burn, Monster Addict, Indecisive Hooligans, Erik Anarchy
Papa G’s Blacklight Bar, 610 Marion St.
7 p.m., $3, 21+
Opener Erik Anarchy has been touring around the Northwest for at least half a decade with his thick cockney accent, noisy distorted guitar and raw and straight-forward subject matter. Anarchy has mentioned in various interviews that he suffers from “mild autism,” and, after listening to his music, it makes sense. Any fans of punk need to check him out at least once to witness un-distilled, uber-enthusiastic punk at its purest. The event is a costume party, so come prepared!
Saturday, October 29
“It’s A Dark and Stormy Night”
Roxxy Northwest, 1230 State St.
9 p.m., $5, 21+
Roxxy Northwest’s Halloween party features Corvallis’ “Sonic Storm” – a synth-heavy arena rock cover band that pays tribute to classic pop rock mainstays like Styx, Journey, and Boston, and (smaller?) arena rock acts like Europe, Aldo Nova and Head East. As far as cover bands go, Sonic Storm has a difficult task – attempting to replicate elaborate arrangements, harmonies and guitarmonies of the most polished musicians in top 40 rock history – but they do a pretty solid job. Check out Sonic Storm’s Facebook for proof. One question, though: is spandex involved? Roxxy Northwest is also having an ’80s costume contest with prizes for the winners.
Monday, October 31
Typhoon, Wild Ones, Youth
Ike Box, 299 Cottage St.
7 p.m., all-ages, $10
Hometown heroes Typhoon return on Halloween with Portland friends “Wild Ones” and “Youth” for a concert at Salem mainstay IKE Box. How far have they come? Well, if you’ve been living in a cave you may not have known that they performed on David Letterman in early August, and that they finished second on the Willamette Week’s prestigious “Best New Band” list last spring. The IKE Box gig is the first stop on a tour for the three bands. The 14-day trip includes several stops in California, and a show each in Colorado, Montana and Washington. Of note: opener “Youth” is a pretty fantastic band that is fronted by former Salem resident Elec Morin. Tickets can be purchased for $10 (plus minimal fees) at BrownPaperTickets.com.
