7

M O N D A Y

Once Half Japanese had established the validity of an amateurism previously rivaled only by the Shaggs, Jad Fair set out to collaborate with some of the people whose careers he had made possible. His latest partners are DQE (Dairy Queen Empire), the Atlanta husband-and-wife duo of singer/guitarist Grace Braun and drummer Dugan Trodglen. On their new album, Jad Fair & DQE make music that’s as offhand and ragged as expected; where Half Japanese’s near-rock was hard-won, however, this temporary trio’s almost-roots music is relaxed and easygoing. At 8:30 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1831 14th St. NW. $3. (202) 667-7960. (Mark Jenkins)