Quick Hits

by INLANDER & r & & r & & lt;span class= & quot;dropcap & quot; & C & lt;/span & apitalizing on grunge by inventing the genre called post-grunge, CANDLEBOX signed to Madonna's Maverick label and made a bunch of money. It was a move prophesied by Kurt Cobain himself, who, knowing his ideas would be cheapened and sold wholesale, tried to pre-empt the inevitable by cheapening himself and selling that wholesale with Nirvana's big-time, blockbuster Nevermind. Well done, but it also quickened things by providing a blueprint. Candlebox took Nevermind's steroidal focus and slicked it up, adding a Hollywood sheen still apparent in their new (!) songs.





Now, with the resurgence of grunge and post-grunge stylings, they sound like everything else and look like yoga. Call it rock-by-numbers riffing for the Guitar Center set.


-- ANDREW MATSON





Candlebox at the Big Easy on Saturday, June 9 at 7:30 pm. $23. Visit ticketswest.com or call 325-SEAT.








& lt;span class= & quot;dropcap & quot; & I & lt;/span & t's a sad reality of nonprofit arts organizations that they're (usually always) cash-strapped. It's a general sign of impact and longevity when such a nonprofit is supported in its money-raising endeavors by more than just the artists it routinely props up. Judging by the crush of performers that'll be packing the CenterStage complex Sunday for CENTERFEST 2, Tim Behrens' baby has clearly touched some people.





We'd have liked to have seen a bit more diversity (pop, rock, hip-hop, the symphony -- something other than just jazz) to reflect the range of events hosted there lately (the Thermals, Impact Exploder, etc.), but the joint is playing to its backers, and that's all right, so long as it stays open to host the occasional politically dissident prog group.


-- LUKE BAUMGARTEN





Centerfest 2 featuring Hot Club of Spokane, 6' Swing, Triangularity, Tom Molter Big Band, Night Bloomin' Jazz Men and Fugu Apprentice in the CenterStage space; Secondary Sense, Sidhe, Julia Keefe with the Danny McCollim Group, Viva Jazz, the Brent Edstrom Trio, and the Danny McCollim Group in ella's; and some Tango lessons on Sunday, June 10 from 3-10 pm. $15 advance. Call 747-8243.








& lt;span class= & quot;dropcap & quot; & D & lt;/span & oug Clark's STREET MUSIC WEEK is back. For the fifth year running, The Spokesman-Review columnist, accomplished at many things, none more than patting his own back, will lead a team of intrepid troubadours to the streets of downtown Spokane to serenade people and collect money for charity.





Like all Clark's endeavors, the irascible boomer can't help but incorporate the week into his staggeringly self-important view of himself. In his May 15 column -- ostensibly dedicated to the event but really saying little about it -- Clark first compared himself to Don Kardong (!), railed against cop Taserings, then worried that his continual criticism of mayor Hession might make any congratulatory handshaking a bit akward. At least It's comforting to know that, despite decades of self-service, Clark's cult of personality has a charitable arm.


-- LUKE BAUMGARTEN





Spokane Street Music Week happens at lunchtime and into the early afternoon on June 11-15. It's free. Contact ol' Clark at 459-5432 or e-mail him at [email protected] to participate.