The Artichoke Project seem like pretty stressed out guys. Their songs are spindly monsters that queasily sprint on by, all blurry and confused limbs in unusual places. I suppose their music is best described as progressive rock, but it seems to lack all of the vacant noodling that is a defining element of the genre, with all of their songs clocking in at the sensible three- or four-minute mark. It's as if a progressive rock band had bent and contorted itself into a suitcase, becoming more compact and efficient even as pressure begins to rise and joints redden. And then there are those voices on the recordings - lurking in the background - warning of the government and their experiments in mind control. It's enough to put anyone on edge. 

[Le Voyeur, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave E, Olympia, 360.943.5710]