Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks at the Mohawk [Show Preview]

If you're reading this, chances are you don't need much of an introduction to Stephen Malkmus. The Stockton, California native long ago entrenched his place in rock 'n' roll lore with reluctant indie demigods Pavement, the band he founded in the late 80s with Scott Kannberg (aka Spiral Stairs). Pavement became the vehicle for the sloppy guitar solos, slacker poses, absurdist, skewering lyrics and general drunken malfeasance so closely associated with the America indie-rock underground of the 90s, and Malkmus was the scene's most impish chronicler, an obstinate, alusive character and accidental genius who captured some of the down-and-out malaise of being a particpant in a music culture that either swallowed you whole and regurgiated you wet and gleaming as a corporate product, or otherwise kept you from much financial success and recognition altogether.

After Pavement broke up, Malkmus relocated to Portland, where he continued playing with poet David Berman's band the Silver Jews. In 2000 he founded The Jicks, a band which has come to demonstrate a more sanguine, wizened side of Malkmus: he might not drunkenly smash things on stage anymore, but the lyrics are still incisive, and the guitar solos are better. The band's fifth studio album, Mirror Traffic, was produced by Beck and released late last year. It's probably the poppiest, most breezily arranged record of Malkmus's career; in his words, a "relatively approachable" album whose strengths are its melodies. He's aging gracefully.

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks will play the Mohawk tonight with Nurses and TV Torso, and it appears (remarkably!) that there are still some tickets available. How often do you get the chance to witness a legend?