[TRIP ROCK] + FRI, DEC. 13

The Spider Ferns are a duo that aim to hypnotize. Made up largely of just electric guitar and bass, with no drums, there is very little to prevent you from getting lulled into their bubbling tones. Without percussion, the sounds tend to just wash over you, lively though they may sometimes get. Kelly and Alton Fleek (bass and guitar, respectively) both take time on the microphone, but Kelly's lead vocal is always present. Enveloped in echo, Kelly's voice takes the listener on quasi-psychedelic excursions that sound less influenced by LSD than by downers. It's easy to imagine lighting a cigarette, turning on the Spider Ferns and melting into a comfy chair for long periods of time. Still, a sense of unease permeates the Spider Ferns, even amidst the narcotic ambience. {REV. ADAM MCKINNEY}

THE SPIDER FERNS, w/ Oh Dear!, J. Martin, 9 p.m., The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, $5, 253.572.4020

[RAP] + FRI, DEC. 13

Here comes Friday the 13th. Even in the midst of the holiday season, scary, freaky, odd and bloody images find their way into our collective psyche.  Why not?  The Royal Lounge in Olympia and one of its promoters, Shellz Sck, begs the question with a very unique lineup of South Sound rappers and MCs. Thurston County standouts Zikki Carr, Jacob Price, Miz, Ill Defined and Akeem will take the Royal stage with DJ Kid One on the 1s and 2s and Luvva J (that's me!) on the host duties.  If you need a little entertainment and chill up your spine during the warm and overly friendly holiday season, check it out. {JOSE GUTIERREZ JR.}

FRIDAY THE 13TH RAPPERS, 8 p.m., The Royal Lounge, 311 Capital Way, Olympia, $5

[ELECTRO-CLASH] + SAT, DEC. 14

If you could say one thing about Purr Gato, it's that they certainly aren't into half measures. Performing absurd, space-age get-ups and brightly colored wigs, Purr Gato embrace the spectacle of performance. Lead singer Kitty K rocks a honest-to-goodness keytar, if that gives you a good idea of what to expect. Combining cartoonish new wave with trip-hop and four-on-the-floor electronica, Purr Gato make music that seems tailor made to be blared at drugged out music festivals. If one could feel nostalgic for the early part of this millennium, there is nostalgia to be found in Purr Gato's revival of the garish style of electro-clash. This is all about attitude and presentation - the kind of band that might find it necessary to have superfluous dancers join them onstage. {REV. AM}

PURR GATO, 10 p.m., Le Voyeur, 404 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, $5, 360.943.5710

[ROCK] + SUN, DEC. 15

I am excited about this show for two simple reasons: Great bands in a great bar. The Brotherhood Lounge is celebrating its 11th anniversary Sunday, Dec. 15 with an open invitation to have fun. Headlining the show will be the Resident Kings. It's a pleasure to be typing the name "Resident Kings", because it has been a damn long time since they've played. The band, made up of Chief and Dirty Birds members, is Olympia hybrid-rawk at its best. Then band's songs range in style from heavy, classic rock to fast, punk garage with an unwavering thread of originality. Opening the show will be a Pixies tribute band. Need I say more? Oh, and there will be free pizza from Old School. See you there! {NIKKI MCCOY}

BROHO ANNIVERSARY PARTY, w/Resident Kings, The Pixies (tribute band), DJ Wildman James, 9 p.m., The Brotherhood Lounge, 119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, free admission, 360.352.4153