By Josh Wilson

May 23

Chotchke comes together Art rock kicked ass in San Francisco in the early '90s, as it does today. Back then the Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 was the most visible band, but Chotchke was the peer that went unrecognized for too long. The group specialized in insinuating, low-key, and precocious bassoon-supplemented art pop and featured members of such divergent combos as the Wandering Stars and Big City Orchestra. Chotchke reunites for the first time in years, joined by the fabulous powerhouse prog-psych three-piece Chum Frink, the Weegs, and the Loins (which includes ubiquitous local bassist Eli Crews and his spouse, poet-author Beth Lisick). 8:30 p.m., Voodoo Lounge, 2937 Mission, S.F. (415) 285-3369.

May 25

Noise brunch Adobe Books' pancake breakfast and electronic-noise jam session at last year's Mission Creek Music Festival was a snug, rewarding showcase for San Francisco's experimental noise musicians. This year's follow-up is highly anticipated. Catch the riveting and deliriously inventive sociopolitical soundscapes of the Deletist (Entartete Kunst); the jaw-dropping absurdity, talking cuckoo clocks, and shimmying Christmas trees of Hans Grüsel's Kränkenkabinet; and the washtub bass, detuned guitars, and skinny ties of Big Techno Werewolves. Tender Morsels and Sub Commander also perform. 2 p.m., Adobe Books, 3166 16th St., S.F. (415) 864-3936.

May 27

Dream lineup Hypnotic ambient and spastic noise converge in the positively dreamy lineup of Azalia Snail (starry-eyed queen of dense, dadaist four-track psychedelia), Tarentel (powerhouse engine of drone, crescendo, and decrescendo), and the Curtains (herky-jerky trio with the bombastic drummer from Deerhoof wigging out on keyboards). Astral and Lazarus also play. 8 p.m., Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market, S.F. (415) 861-5016.

May 28

Rock by Numbers A singularly exciting band for their infectious, seamless fusion of swoopy Moog, precision live drumming, and foaming-at-the-mouth punk-garage, dance-crazy free-for-all, Numbers are joined by Tussle, who sound exactly like Dub Narcotic Sound System would if Calvin Johnson not only stopped singing but also gave production duties to Adrian Sherwood: hard-edged dub and funk inna garage-band style. The Lowdown follow through with a lo-fi bluesy grind. Shoplifting also perform. 9 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F. (415) 474-0365.

May 29

Action for all Everyone's favorite leather bar, fellatio palace, and art rock mecca, the Eagle Tavern hosts another duck-and-cover lineup that will scare your grandma way more than the action in the venue's dark corners will. The notoriously enthusiastic Extra Action Marching Band may very well unleash their barely restrained libidos for a floor show of their own; Jessie Trashed, the heavily reverbed and eyelinered vocalist from the Vanishing, may very well kick herself up into a twitching, frothing, recklessly cathartic seizure; Oxbow may very well get naked. Another night you'll never forget. 9 p.m., Eagle Tavern, 398 12th St., S.F. (415) 626-0880.

May 30

Fired-up free jazz What the heck is this? World-class, jazz-rooted "creative music" popping the cork in the Castle's cozy upstairs playpen, that's what. Drummer Scott Amendola delivers with his fierce and exploratory ensemble, with Rova saxophonist Larry Ochs in the house. The mighty and mind-blowing Nels Cline is also on the scene, with his scorching free-guitar workouts and his precision fusion band, the Nels Cline Singers. Nerve Wheel and Madgojiata round out the bill. 9 p.m., Edinburgh Castle Pub, 950 Geary, S.F. (415) 885-4074.

May 31

This song's for you El Rio always turns out for MCMF, and this year's no exception. The must-see singer-songwriter showcase includes sweet and startlingly incisive one-man band Sonny Smith and the angelic-voiced Jolie Holland, whose melodic verse "The little birds sing the prettiest songs" will echo through the empty spaces of my mind for years to come. The Winter Flowers, Graham Connah, and Danubius also play. 3:30 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. (415) 282-3325.

For the love of Crack This one's the must-see indie rawk showcase. Everyone knows Deerhoof are one of the hugest bands of all time (unless you're one of those doubters who can't hang with Satomi Matsuzaki's particular vocal idiom). Everyone knows Erase Errata are the hipster nation's preferred no wave indie dance band. Everyone knows Crack: We Are Rock blew the lid off this town with their squinty, mangled, aloof, and precious live techno. And everyone needs to see Harold Ray Live in Concert. See you there. 9 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. (415) 282-3325.

Getting art in your noise Arty noise rock is one of the best things to happen to the music scene since the megatonnage of the Mission hardcore-metal explosion in the mid '90s. Although I personally find the 400 Blows' vocal stylings leave a bit to be desired, their fans are devoted – they're bloody well right about the powerhouse grindcore rhythm section. The Mass rule the school with their stop-on-a-dime, sax-driven satanic-prog mishmash. Lower 48's searching and relentless axemanship and compositional skills (of guitarist Andy Lund) and Replicator's high-tech, primal feedback and sprawling art rock compulsions make this an evening for the earplugs. 9 p.m., Edinburgh Castle Pub, 950 Geary, S.F. (415) 885-4074.

June 5

Rocked-out finale Rocktronic space metal mutants Condor, perennial – and totally irresistible – garage-shimmy trio the Coachwhips, and visceral electro-punks X-27 close out the fest at this Narnack Records night. 9 p.m., Eagle Tavern, 398 12th St., S.F. (415) 626-0880.