by Chris Aponick

* Make Believe is adding a whole heap of creativity and ambition to the typical post-disaster benefit show, putting together both a digital download compilation and a concert to support the Bikou-En Orphanage in the Aomori Prefect of Japan. The orphanage has seen its donations more than halved during the aftermath of the March 11 Japanese earthquake and tsunami event, according to Make Believe co-owner Mike Gergen. Make Believe, located in the former Bassline studio space, houses production and design services. Ketchup & Mustard Gas, Flesh Eating Skin Disease, Lightning Bug, Conchance and DJs Kethro and Dojorok play the benefit show at the Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St., Tuesday, May 17 at 9 p.m. The $6 door donation gets you a digital download code for the 12-song compilation as well. That compilation features original songs by bands Little Brazil, Conchance, Noah's Ark Was A Spaceship and Icky Blossoms. For more information on the compilation, visit MakeBelieveStudio.net. * Of Montreal were a perfect fit for The Slowdown's stage, 729 North 14th St. The kaleidoscopic indie pop band's Friday night show was theatrical, weird, wonderful and just pure fun. Kevin Barnes focuses the song selection on the pop nuggets hidden on his increasingly dense Of Montreal records and then trucks in loads of oddball costumes and little vignettes to play off of the songs. The running theme of this show was a wrestling match featuring a host of lucha libre-style masked combatants. Even if you hadn't kept yourself emerged in the band's recorded output, the show remains a captivating piece of pop art. * Capgun Coup will be offering new songs, as well as a few fan favorites, during a Saturday, May 21 show at the Brothers Lounge, 3812 Farnam St. The band, who is bringing Vverevvolf Grehv along for the $5 show, is billing it as an alternative to that night's nearby Dundee Days festival. * Red Sky Festival continues to leak names on its own time schedule, having announced a Jason Aldean-headlined country night on Friday and a Journey-Night Ranger double-shot Monday. The Kid Rock rumor persists and at this point seems like a mortal lock. More details, as always, at RedSkyFestival.com and The Reader’s Facebook page.

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