Be it soul or punk or ‘southern-fried rock-n-roll,’ this fest has it all

EVERETT — Downtown Everett will transform into a music, art and food haven as the city’s biggest event of the year, Fisherman’s Village Music Fest, kicks off Thursday night.

More than 50 bands from near and far will rock out at six downtown venues for the three-day fest. A night market hosting food trucks, art vendors and even more music, is free and open to the public.

Big names are rolling into town, including Portland’s Haley Heynderickx and hip-hop trio Digable Planets.

For those interested in adding fresh finds to their playlists, here’s a quick guide:

If you’re into Riot Grrrl

Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney on repeat? Try these punk groups headed up from Seattle.

Duo Mr. Dinkles features drummer Gretchen Elliot and lead singer Mac Rettig, who totes a megaphone on the light rail in their “Coochie” music video, belting about being “the best (expletive) human ever.” (Saturday, Lucky Dime, 7:45 p.m.)

Post-punk group Wilting’s self-titled album is chock-full of commentary on sexism and capitalism. In “Subscription Fee,” the band takes aim at Amazon, describing “workers pissing in bottles just trying to survive.” (Friday, Lucky Dime, 11:15 p.m.)

Queen Chimera’s recent recordings include a hate-song to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and a tune for music man-splainers, “Have You Ever Heard of Radiohead?” (Saturday, Lucky Dime, 6:30 p.m.)

Tres Leches, a genre-bending duo also from Seattle, mixes punk with psych, pop and cumbia, a Colombian genre. (Saturday, Tony V’s, 9:30 p.m.)

Looking to mosh to metal and punk?

Everett’s Bad Optics is an art punk four-piece that draws inspiration from bands such as Fugazi and Queens of the Stone Age. Their debut album “Pax Americana” came out in January and was described by Seattle Music Insider as sounding like the feeling of “having salt water poured on you after having been pricked by a thousand pins.” (Saturday, Tony V’s, 8:15 p.m.)

A four-piece outfit hailing from Bellingham, Laamb is heavy and thick, but peppered with soft, droning harmonies. Think a darker Car Seat Headrest. (Saturday, Tony V’s, 7 p.m.)

Heavy metal band Big Business hails from Los Angeles. Their music has been described as “stoner metal” and “sludge metal.” The band describes itself as “loud.” (Saturday, Tony V’s, midnight.)

Monsterwatch, from Seattle, is bassy and raw. The group’s newest EP, “Noise You Will Never Care About,” was designed as one continuous and chaotic track. (Saturday, Tony V’s, 10:45 p.m.)

Beverly Crusher, named after the Star Trek icon, is brothers Sam and Max Stiles and frontman Cozell Wilson doling out high-energy industrial rock. According to the group’s Bandcamp, their “whiny lyrics” are “about ex-girlfriends and devil worship.” (Saturday, Lucky Dime, 10:15 p.m.)

Getting psyched?

Festival-goers looking for psychedelic jams can turn to Steel Beans, a 15-year-old, ever-changing supergroup from right here in Everett. Musicians from The Hoyer Brothers, Fuzz Mutt, Cytrus and Creamsicle make up this seven-piece band, which draws inspiration from Frank Zappa and Pink Floyd. (Saturday, night market, 5:45 p.m.)

Everett’s own Clothing Optional is coming in hot with new material. Haunting vocalist Dayle Bates draws inspiration from Jim Morrison and Fred Cole. Bassist Michael Romo describes the group’s newest songs “heavy” and “fermented.” (Saturday, Lucky Dime, 11:30 p.m.)

Breaking out the cowboy boots?

Seattle’s Smoker Dad offers bolo ties, handlebar mustaches and “southern fried rock-n-roll.” The six-piece band is on tour with their self-titled album, featuring songs like like “Cocaine Blues” and “Cowboy Song.” (Saturday, night market, 7 p.m.)

Lavender Country made history in 1973 with their self-titled album, considered the first gay album in country music history. See them take the stage with their first new album in 50 years, “Blackberry Rose.” (Saturday, Black Lab, 11:30 p.m.)

Margo Cilker, of Eastern Oregon, offers wistful storytelling and ballads. In her 2021 debut record “Pohorylle,” she evokes Lucinda Williams, Townes Van Zandt and Gillian Welch. (Saturday, Black Lab, 10 p.m.)

Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Johnny Franco now produces often-dreamy, sometimes-folksy tunes in Portland, Oregon. On his Bandcamp, the artist describes himself as “a mustachioed Brazilian spaghetti western rock and roll troubadour.” (Saturday, Black Lab, 5:30 p.m.)

Looking for soul? Trying to get funk’d up?

Joshy Soul’s funky soul style has been likened to Prince. The L.A. singer’s fashion is similarly retro, and his newest releases serve dreamy grooves that remind us of English R&B powerhouse Dev Hynes. (Friday, Black Lab, 11:30 p.m.)

Mother Blue hails from Index, where they pump out groovy, bassy licks. They call their flavor “mountain funk.” (Thursday, Tony V’s, 9:45 p.m.)

Born in Louisiana in 1939, Ural Thomas has shared a stage with legends like James Brown, Stevie Wonder and Etta James. Thomas and his band, The Pain, are stopping by Everett before touring through the UK and France. (Saturday, main stage, 4:45 p.m.)

Shaina Shepherd is known for her role in soul-grunge band BEARAXE. The powerful vocalist has collaborated with Seattle-area players like Chong The Nomad and Acid Tongue. She describes herself as an anthem artist and poet, drawing inspiration from Nina Simone, Mark Twain and Maya Angelou. (Thursday, Historic Everett Theater, 8 p.m.)

Craving synth, or something dreamy?

Seattle-based dream pop duo Coral Grief will envelop Everett in ethereal vocals and mystical instrumentals. If you’re a fan of Weyes Blood or the “Twin Peaks” soundtrack, don’t miss these guys. (Friday, Lucky Dime, 8:45 p.m.)

Local Everett sweethearts I Will Keep Your Ghost serve melodic harmonies and rockin’ synth and guitar licks. Imagine if The War On Drugs and New Order had a baby. (Friday, Black Lab, 7:45 p.m.)

Brent Penny deals in ambient shoegaze. The soloist sings over pulsating and dreamy synth beats. (Friday, Black Lab, 9 p.m.)

Seattle-based Thavoron explores his youth and young adulthood with emotional lyrics and delicate, melancholic guitar. (Friday, Black lab, 6:30 p.m.)

Indie rockin’?

Women-fronted Seattle band Biblioteka boasts a new-wave rock sound reminiscent of Cherry Glazerr and Snail Mail. (Friday, Tony V’s, 6:15 p.m.)

Chris King and the Gutterballs, also from the Emerald City, melds Americana with rock-n-roll. With frontman Chris King’s foreboding vocals, the trio has deemed themselves “garage twang.” (Saturday, main stage, 3:30 p.m.)

Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; edennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen.

Claudia Yaw: 425-339-3449; claudia.yaw@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @yawclaudia.