Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks

'Why not play a couple of shows in Japan before we go to Australia?' pondered Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks bassist Joanna Bolme on the group's website a couple of months ago. 'Oh yeah, duh.' The ex-Pavement frontman and band get warmed up for their 8-date tour of Oz with a gig in Tokyo this week, featuring support from local five-piece (and self-proclaimed Pavement fans) Monobright. Tickets available on the door from 5pm.