Spew

Death First

MATT DRISCOLL: YEAH, NAME FITS >>>

Even though with a name like Death First it may seem like it, this band is more than just metal. Or at least that’s what they’d have you believe. Based out of Buckley, Death First has listed influences as far ranging as Dylan, Beethoven and Radiohead, but when it comes right down to it these five dudes shred — there’s no way to deny it.

Check out the band’s contribution to 104.9FM the Funky Monkey’s From the Monkey’s Garage Vol. 2 — which features “Bleed the King” — one intense, guitar driven burner that seems to have everything a song could possibly need to make agro dudes and construction workers everywhere bow their heads in appreciation.

Before you blow out your eardrums on the Fourth of July, check out Death First the night before at Hell’s Kitchen.

[Hell’s Kitchen, with The Outfit, Pretty Ugly, Chicos Revenge, Peratus, Friday, July 3, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

Don't miss this show

MATT DRISCOLL: THE WOOLLY BANDITS >>>

If you like a show — and I mean a real, live, going to leave you talking about it for days show — you’re going to dig The Woolly Bandits.

Sure, the Bandits have the ‘60s inspired, go-go boot clad, garage rock ethos down pat — but there’s more to this band than just sound. The Woolly Bandits are a full package — sonic vibrations and coolly crafted image, shaggy haircuts and style to spare.

Led by bass player Rik Collins — whose amazingly talented and captivating wife, Christa, takes the roll of Nancy Sinatra eat your heart out, vocal dynamo for the band — The Woolly Bandits are Tiki lounge cool mixed with rock ‘n’ roll punch. Originally a backing band for underground rock legend Sky Saxon of “the Seeds” fame (who recently passed away), the Woolly Bandits have been shaped by the style of rock ‘n’ roll past, but are very much a creature of rock ‘n’ roll present.

If you’re skeptical, try checking out the band’s most recent recorded effort, Woman of Mass Destruction, released by Citation Records. It’s an alluring concoction — with tinges of Saxon’s Seeds mingling with Cramps vibes, psychedelia and psychobilly — and a record that should legitimately intrigue listeners.

5 Things To Do: Friday

MICHAEL SWAN: FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009 >>>

1. Since forming in 1990, the Old Blind Dogs have stood on the cutting edge of Scotland’s roots revival. Check them out at 7:30 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater in Olympia.

2. Frost Park Chalk Challenge, Season 2, Episode 14, begins at noon in Frost Park.

3. Local jazz, blues and soul band The Carter Brothers play the new Sax on 6th club at 9 p.m.

4. Three Dead Whores, Civita, Smoke Like Daddy, The Plastards and Watch It Sparkle play The Seafarer’s at 8 pm.

5. Jazz guitarist Michael Powers performs an intimate 8 p.m. concert featuring with special guest opening act The Pamela Carter Band at the Midland Music Hall. Proceeds from this event will help to support the NW Music Mentor's "Share the Music" youth programs.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

Shot glasses will be tapping tonight

BOBBLE TIKI: KRIS ORLOWSKI AT THE NEW FRONTIER TONIGHT >>>

Bobble Tiki likes to say he put the pop in “pop rock” — but that’s only because of the alarming noises Bobble Tiki’s joints make when he gets out on the dance floor. Those that have witnessed Bobble Tiki bust out the running man at Kry shows know exactly the sound Bobble Tiki’s talking about — and it’s not pretty.

Luckily, when Kris Orlowski plays The New Frontier tonight, Bobble Tiki probably wont be inspired to dance — rather, he’ll just sit happily nursing a strong drink and enjoying the radio ready sounds of one of the Northwest’s more talented singer songwriters. These are the lessons Bobble Tiki is learning with age.

According to MySpace, Kris Orlowski “has an edgy roots-rock mix with hints of alternative and pop jazz-fusion” — but that all sounds like mumbo jumbo to Bobble Tiki.

Let’s just say this Orlowski fellow knows how to pen a catchy number.

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Boscoe’s Brood, Thursday, July 2, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

Volunteers tonight at the Jive

MATT DRISCOLL: CATCH THEM BEFORE THEY'RE HIGH AS A KITE  >>>

Something tells me Volunteers is going to go over well in Tacoma. A classic rock inspired mix of sex, drugs, debauchery, open chords and more drugs thrown in for good measure — Volunteers comes off like Brooklyn’s version of The Jet City Fix, replacing the Buckcherry vibe of JCF with a ratted hair indie bent that’s a little less embarrassing to get behind in places beyond the 253.

Having released the impressively solid Spectrophilia last year, not to mention having music featured on MTV’s Real World: Brooklyn and Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club, Volunteers seems on the cusp of greatness — or at the very least notoriety beyond rock and roll obscurity — which is all you can really ask for, right?

If you miss Volunteers at the Java Jive tonight, think about catching them live on stage at the Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam this November. No joke.

[Bob’s Java Jive, 8 p.m., $5, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

Mid morning music news

BOBBLE TIKI: THREATS & PROMISES >>>

It's Thursday, which means Bobble Tiki is spewing local music news over on the mothership. Check it here.

5 Things To Do: Thursday

MICHAEL SWAN: THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009 >>>

1. Former G-Unit member Young Buck, made infamous for stabbing a man in the chest during an award show in defense of Doctor Dre, will be performing live at The Royal Lounge at 9 p.m.

2. Starstruck and Vicci Martinez will be playing on the Weekly Volcano stage from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tacoma Farmers Market on Broadway.

3. LeeAnn Seaburg Peery is a sculptor whose work harkens back to Michelangelo’s  slave sculptures — highly polished figures emerging from rough marble — and similar figures by Rodin. Check her work out and well as others at the Rock Paper Scissors show at Grand Impromptu Gallery from 4-8 p.m.

4. There’s a Pre-4th Of July Show featuring Mr. Sho-Nuff and  Anonymous, plus giveaways and a booty shaking contest at 9 p.m. at the Last Call in Lakewood.

5. Hell’s Kitchen will put away the black for the rainbow love of a Reggae Night featuring Little Big Man, Mighty High, Puget Sound System and Urban Evergreen beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

The Shoemaker Brothers

MATT DRISCOLL: TONIGHT AT DOYLE'S >>>

Think all four brothers from Shelton can do is drain halfracks? Think all bands that call Pullman home probably evoke a mix between Sublime, the smell of walking by Abercrombie and Fitch at the mall and the sound of dry heaving? Think again. The Shoemaker Brothers, four siblings originally from Shelton that found their way to Pullman, are the exception. Strings and honesty galore with this band — think folk rock pounded out on a cello and violins. Think real musicianship. Think about the possibility you’ve probably never experienced quite anything like the Shoemaker Brothers before. Amidst all that thinking, send a positive thought to the Shoemaker Brothers’ mother, who along with pushing all four of them out into this world, managed three more — for a total of seven Shoemaker children. I guess we should just consider ourselves lucky this band isn’t hitting town in a multicolor school bus with Reuben Kincaid behind the wheel. No, far from it. These Shoemaker Brothers should soothe the weary Doyle’s Thursday night crowd like a clean shot of Jameson. And they’ll sound impressive doing it.

[Doyle’s, 8 p.m., no cover, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

Rural Wolf Records

MARK THOMAS DEMING: DAVID BILBREY AND MIKE COOPER: SMARTER THAN THE AVERAGE BEAR ... AND THE MAJOR LABELS >>>

The cover of Canon Canyon’s 10-inch vinyl release Sit Down and Listen (October, 2008) shows a torn, empty couch flanked on both sides by guitar amps.  A picture of John Wayne hangs on the wall beside a stuffed, crazed-looking bear.  A guitar, a small lamp, a model sailboat and a beer bottle complete, but somehow don’t complete, the scene.  A weird yellow light pervades. 

On the insert is the same picture, only now with two guys on the couch.  They are David Bilbrey and Mike Cooper, members of Canon Canyon and founders of Rural Wolf Records, a Tacoma indie label that does what the majors just can’t seem to — advance the sanctity of the hardcopy album while embracing the digital future. Read how they do it here.

Mid morning music news

BOBBLE TIKI: THREATS & PROMISES >>>

God Bless America: It’s not a Fourth of July without Little Steven’s Underground Garage patriotic pint glasses.

Spread The Word: Gossip interview on Gigwise. Beth Ditto: “I wanted to make a really gay record and having Hannah (Blilie, drums) on the cover looking so butch and handsome made for the idea of gender fluidity approachable in a pretentious way. I think it sums up the record really well, it’s the perfect title for it.”

First Show Report: U2 launched 360 Tour with call to Space Station, Jackson tributes.

More Live Than You'll Ever Be: R.E.M. to release live double album
Bad Vibe: Vibe Magazine shuts down.

Crystal Clear: Blur fans will be able to download a recording of the band's shows in London's Hyde Park.