My turbulent, borderline codependent relationship with indie-rockers Sebadoh started the very first time I saw them, at a club called The Offramp in Seattle the summer of 1993. That's the night I learned what a meteoric personality Lou Barlow is.---

The band was bashing through a pretty brilliant set in support of their then-new album, Bubble and Scrape (which is also the Sebadoh album that ultimately made me a lifelong fan), when someone in the crowd said something that Barlow didn't like very much. He suddenly pulled the plug on the show, ending it in its tracks, announcing "Portland was a great audience last night. You're not getting shit tonight."%uFFFD

I went up to Barlow afterward and asked him if the band would be coming to Salt Lake City any time soon, and he pretty much laughed at the very thought.

Of course, Sebadoh HAS come through many times since then, and despite his cranky nature, I've seen them deliver some excellent shows through the years. And Barlow is, for my money, one of the best songwriters when it comes to heartbreak and romantic trials; he was a sensitive "emo" boy before emo was even a label for us to make fun of.%uFFFD

The current Sebadoh jaunt, stopping Monday night at The Urban Lounge, is part of the band's Bakesale/Harmacy anniversary tour celebrating their two mid-'90s albums. The excellent Quasi is opening the show, and Ted Dancin' will be spinning tunes after Sebadoh's done. That's right, the bands are starting earlier than normal at Urban tonight.

Also on tap, for your Valentine's Day pleasure:

Koo Koo Kanga Roo and The Neighbors are playing at Kilby Court. Sarah McLachlan is headling a gig at Kingsbury Hall, but it's sold-out, so you'll need to hit the Internet to find some scalper tix. And the Radiators farewell tour is stopping at Harry O's in Park City, bringing a little New Orleans flavor to the holiday.