JESSE’S PICKS

Help, Kit Major, Stetson Heat Seeker

8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3

The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St.

Portland’s Help make thorny, dissonant post-punk with plenty of anger in it, but leaven it with an underlying message of cooperation and hope. It doesn’t exactly sound like IDLES, but it’s got a similar blend of darkness and light and would be worth checking out for fans of that band. They’re coming to town for a Monday night show at The Shakedown on Feb. 3 touring behind their EP from last year, “Courage,” with openers Kit Major and Stetson Heat Seeker. 

Morgan McHugh

7:30–9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6

New Prospect Theatre, 207 Prospect St.

Morgan McHugh’s excellent solo debut album from last year established him as an artist to watch on our local Americana singer-songwriter scene. He’s got a new EP coming out next month backed by a full band. The first single, “Putting On Faces,” is already out if you want a preview. He’s got a show to celebrate the new release on Thursday, Feb. 6 at the New Prospect Theatre.

BJ Block Trio

8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7

Aslan Depot, 1322 N. State St.

Writing these picks every week, I have a tendency to favor stuff that’s unusual or surprising. But it’s important not to take things for granted just because they’ve been happening for a while. The BJ Block Trio’s First Friday residency at Aslan Depot is one of those things. (And maybe the longest-running monthly event in town at this point?) If you’re a fan of funky jazz and jazzy funk and haven’t seen them yet, this Friday, Feb. 7 is as good a time as any to fix that.  

Bad Posture Club

6–9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9

Chuckanut Bay Distillery, 1309 Cornwall Ave.

Bad Posture Club are a queer folk/pop duo who started out here in Northwest Washington before moving to the Midwest. It’s an elemental sound — just guitar, banjo and two perfectly blended voices. They’re coming back for a homecoming show which is taking place at the ballroom at Chuckanut Bay Distillery on Sunday, Feb. 9. The Shadies open up with old-timey folk. 

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OTHER EVENTS

Friday, Jan. 31

• Aslan Depot: 8 p.m. Aperatonic Trio (jazz/experimental)
• Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., Vic Smith
• Blue Room: 7 p.m., TEZATalks, Actress, Tekhia
• Buxton’s: 7 p.m., Rock The Island (Battle of the Bands featuring six Anacortes-area high school bands)
• Corner Taphouse: 7 p.m., Saltwater Cowboys
• Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Lance Laconic, Hannah Wyatt
• Karate Church: 7 p.m., Bellflower, Devin Champlin, Marie, the Band, Pomegranate Penguins, Sylvania Moons (
• Lincoln Theatre: 7:30 p.m., Epic Queen (Queen tribute)
• Make.Shift: 8 p.m., Roman Lee, Kam Lynn, Dreamcatchers
• Odd Fellows at the Orion: 8 p.m., Oracle Orchestra (live film score)
• Old Edison: 7:30 p.m., Wes Jones
• Stones Throw: 6 p.m., Tea Seas Trio
• The Shakedown: 9 p.m., Elephant Stone, The Asteroid #4
• Sugar & Co.: 7 p.m., Ron Hardt & Jimmy Wright
• The Vault: 7 p.m., Earl on Earth

Saturday, Feb. 1

• Bar Two Eleven: 9 p.m., Hair Nation (hard rock covers)
• Birdsview Brewing: 6 p.m., Hailey Suiter
• Blue Room: 7 p.m., Waltzerr, Frog Rocket, Slowfall
• Conway Muse: 8 p.m., Joel Astley Band (blues)
• Deming Library: 3:30 p.m., Lindsay Street (Celtic)
• Graham’s: 8 p.m., Hopnotic (funk/jazz)
• Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Doug Allen (folk)
• Larrabee Lager: 5 p.m., Tenderpile’s Smile Aisle (jazz)
• McIntyre Hall: 7:30 p.m., Derek Gripper & Ballake Sissoko
• Odd Fellows at the Orion: 8 p.m. jazz
• Old Edison: 8 p.m., The Problem (jazz/funk/pop)
• Ramble Tamble: 8 p.m., Stringlights, Arcana, Mom Sport (rock)
• The Shakedown: 9 p.m., Atomic Blondie, We Bite, Green Daze (tributes to Blondie, The Misfits, Green Day)
• Skagit Cellars: 6 p.m., Jan Peters
• Skylark’s: 8 p.m., Dry Martini (jazz)
• Stones Throw: 6 p.m., Carr/Parker Duo

Sunday, Feb. 2

• Old Edison: 5:30 p.m., The Davanos
• Sugar & Co: 7 p.m., Monk Slippers (jazz)

Monday, Feb. 3

• Bella Ciao: 7 p.m., Open Mic
• Corner Taphouse: 6 p.m, Open Mic
• The Shakedown: 8 p.m., Help, Kit Major, Stetson Heat Seeker (punk/garage)

Tuesday, Feb. 4

• The Admiralty Lounge: 7 p.m., Simon Llewelyn Evans
• Aslan Depot: 8 p.m., Jazz Night
• Menace Brewing: 7 p.m.,  Invitational Blues Jam
• ‘Ono Kitchen and Bar: 7 p.m., Open Mic ft. Richard Widerkehr
• Zeeks Pizza: 6 p.m., Open Mic

Wednesday, Feb. 5

• Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Open Mic
• Rockfish: 6 p.m.,
• Stones Throw: 6 p.m. Badd Dogg Blues

Thursday, Feb. 6

• Brown Lantern: 8:30 p.m., Open Mic
• Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Stellar Sounds (experimental/improv)
• New Prospect Theatre: 7:30 p.m., Morgan McHugh (folk)
• Ramble Tamble: 8 p.m., The Gold Souls, Cardova (funk/R&B)
• Sugar & Co.: 7 p.m., Tenderpile’s Smile Aisle
• Thirsty Badger: 7 p.m., Open Mic
• That’s What I Like! Island Grill: 6 p.m, JP Falcon and Friends (folk/rock)
• Zeeks Pizza: 7 p.m., Free Harmony

Friday, Feb. 7

• Admiralty Lounge: 7 p.m., Cape Flattery
• Aslan Depot: 8 p.m.,  BJ Block Trio (jazz/funk)
• Corner Taphouse: 7 p.m., JP Valentine
• Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Buddy Mac with Jan Peters, Mild Mallard
• Lincoln Theatre: 7 p.m., Crash Test Dummies
• Old Edison: 7 p.m, Wayne Hayton
• The Shakedown: 9 p.m., Lightnin’ Luke, Coleman Williams, guests (blues/punk)
• Stones Throw: 6 p.m., Bluegrass First Fridays featuring members of High Mountain String Band
• Sugar & Co.: 7 p.m., Michael Dayvid
• The Vault: 7 p.m., Dick and Jane
• Waterfront Tavern: 8 p.m., Big Time, Land of Wolves, Krontonamo

Saturday, Feb. 8

• Aslan Depot: 8 p.m., Hopnotic (funk/jazz)
• Conway Muse: 8 p.m., DEAL (Grateful Dead tribute)
• Eagle Haven Winery: 6 p.m., Uncle Doug
• Graham’s: 8 p.m., Big Slick, Thrashed Behind the Eyes
• Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., Bayou Opossums (music of New Orleans)
• Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Mark Tegio, Wes Jones
• Jansen Art Center: 3 p.m.,  Dixieland All Stars
• Larrabee Lager Co.: 7 p.m., Quickdraw String Band
• Lincoln Theatre: 7:30 p.m., Hell’s Belles (AC/DC tribute)
• Odd Fellows at the Orion: 8 p.m. jazz
• Old Edison: 8 p.m., The Dimes
• ‘Ono Kitchen and Bar: 8 p.m., The Preacher and the Freight Train, Pigeon Town Hoochers, Pete Ruble
• Ramble Tamble: 8 p.m., Dadweed, Claire Willow, Your Jack (bluegrass/folk)
• The Shakedown: 9 p.m., Monstress, Serial Hawk, Mycon (doom metal)
• Skylark’s: 8 p.m., Anissa
• Stones Throw: 6 p.m., The D’vas
• Sugar & Co.: 7 p.m., Cardova
• Wild Buffalo: 8:15 p.m., SNBRN, Cat Passidy, Fulminate, Silk Jammies (electronic)

Sunday, Feb. 9

• Blue Room: 6 p.m., Wolfchild, The Living Arrows
• Chuckanut Bay Distillery: 6 p.m., Bad Posture Club, The Shadies
• Graham’s: 8 p.m., Big Time, Land of Wolves, Krontonamo
• Old Edison: 5:30 p.m., Orville Johnson Band

Jesse Stanton's music column, The Beat Goes On, appears weekly. Reach him at jsbhammusic@gmail.com; @JSBhamMusic. Check with individual venues to make sure events are still taking place as scheduled. Live music events in Whatcom County: http://www.cascadiadaily.com/category/living/arts-and-entertainment/music/music-calendar