THE GHOST EASE, MÁSCARAS, TINY KNIVES
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Since the quietly explosive release of their 2012 self-titled debut, the Ghost Ease have been a staple of Portland's live circuit, performing eye-opening sets at Lose Yr Mind Fest, PDX Pop Now!, and elsewhere. Their second release, the Quit Yer Job EP, is a compact piece of aural dynamite, marking the first time new bassist Laurence Vidal has been caught on tape with the trio. Devotees will note the inclusion of two live staples on the new EP, "Canine" and "XV." The former opens the record, meandering in a narcotic grunge haze, as vocalist/guitarist Jem Marie eerily notes, "There's a body at the window." "Qwi Mai Yab" is something of a ramped-up fuzz-punk scorcher for the Ghost Ease, a band usually noted for methodical cosmic dynamics, but they go for broke here, bursting and heaving. Tonight's show is the official EP release, so bring your dollars, don't miss Máscaras or Tiny Knives, and for land's sake, dance! RYAN J. PRADO

THE WOOLEN MEN, TALKIES, PATSY'S RATS
(The Know, 2026 NE Alberta) Waiting for the radio-anointed song of summer? Fuck that: Look no further than Patsy's Rats' miraculous, phenomenal "Rock & Roll Friend," the opening cut on their ripping self-titled EP. You can hear it now on Bandcamp, or wait for a vinyl release on La-Ti-Da Records later this summer. (Actually, don't wait.) It's a heartfelt, joyous, and sorrowful ode to a departed friend with real depth of feeling, but instead of wallowing in loss, it's a ridiculously addictive tune, an affirmation of life and music and friendship and fun. Patsy's Rats is the newish band from Patsy Gelb (daughter of Giant Sand's Howe Gelb) and Christian Blunda (of the Mean Jeans), and they—along with Aaron Lovey and Kyle Baybayan—are making punkish, poppish, popping pop-punk at its very best. "Rock & Roll Friend" is about Mikey Hodges, the terrific musician who recorded and performed as Pop Zeus, and also played with Portland-based bands Boom! and the Memories before being killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in LA in December. As a piece of pop music, it's perfect; as a tribute to a friend, it's raw, human, and real. I dare you to listen to it only once. NED LANNAMANN

TRUCKFIGHTERS, SONS OF HUNS
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) Groove. It's not just for disco and hip-hop. Heavy rock 'n' roll can have groove, too. It's that riff that puts you on your heels and sets you to strutting. It's that smooth bass line that ignites your hips, reminding them there's a reproductive organ betwixt them. Sons of Huns are Portland's triumvirate of rocking, heavy groove. Stomping rhythms and psychedelic, slithering licks abound on any cut Sons of Huns lay down. And not only do these local boys have groove, they also have the clout to pull in the likes of Dale Crover (Melvins) and Wino Weinrich (Saint Vitus, Hidden Hand, everything) to do guest spots on their forthcoming record, While Sleeping Stay Awake. With stamps of approval coming from champions like that, you know Sons of Huns have the swagger and confidence to get your head bobbing. ARIS WALES

A CONVERSATION WITH PHILIP GLASS
(Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway) See My, What a Busy Week!

GREEN JELLÖ, HEADLESS PEZ, BLACKWITCH PUDDING, CLACKAMAS BABY KILLERS
(Rotture, 315 SE 3rd) I'm not gonna lie. I used to rock the fuck out of Green Jellö, particularly their major label debut, Cereal Killer Soundtrack. The band's heavy riffage, over-the-top theatrics, and adolescent humor were perfect for a 13-year-old during the heyday of MTV. Characters like the Cowgod, Shitman, the Skajaquada, and the Three Little Pigs figured mightily in my teenage development (this could explain a lot, come to think of it). Green Jellö was sometimes ridiculed as a poor man's GWAR, which is unfair, as the band not only wrote embarrassingly catchy metal songs, their claymation music videos stood out among all the self-serious bands of the '90s and all their self-serious music videos. Green Jellö was forced to change their name to Green Jelly in '92, but it looks as though they are back to their original name. Apparently Kraft Foods, along with most everyone else, has forgotten about them. Not me, though. Green Jellö will always have a warm and sticky place in my heart. SANTI ELIJAH HOLLEY

THE ENGLISH BEAT
(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) Trying to chart the history and various iterations of the English ska band originally known as the Beat is pretty tricky. After busting out of Birmingham with their bouncy blend of reggae, soul, and punk in the late 1970s, the band took alternate names (English Beat, British Beat) to avoid confusion with LA power-pop act the Beat. Then after a mid-’80s breakup, members formed bands with names like Special Beat and the International Beat. Now, no fewer than three bands are touring the world playing the hits (“Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Hands Off... She’s Mine”) that made the band famous. One of those bands—the one starring founding singer/songwriter Dave Wakeling—is currently working on the Beat’s first studio full-length in 33 years. If you’d like to help the cause, look it up on pledgemusic.com. BEN SALMON