[INDIE] + FRI, MAY 2

Friday will see the confluence between small businesses and indie music performances in a moment of synergy that won't rub you the wrong way. Dubbed the Downtown Music Crawl, the event will feature three downtown businesses showcasing three brief, consecutive concerts. Starting at Anthem Coffee & Tea, moving on to Bleach, and ending at UrbanXChange, the event is designed to reward those who do the crawl and hit all three stores. If you attend all three concerts, you'll receive 15 percent off at each store. Even for those who pick and choose, these are three shows totally worthy of your time. Anthem will be showcasing the slick blue-eyed soul of the BGP, while Bleach has the dusty folk-rock of the Owl Parliament, and UrbanXChange ends the night with the richly melodramatic indie rock of Barcelona. {REV. ADAM MCKINNEY}

DOWNTOWN MUSIC CRAWL, Anthem Coffee & Tea at 6:30 p.m., Bleach at 7:30 p.m., UrbanXChange at 8:30 p.m., Tacoma, $10 per show

[CROSSOVER] + SAT, MAY 3

Captain Algebra is fast becoming one of my favorite heavy bands. They have this certain stoner/doom quality that makes me think of Bacchus or Red Fang. There's also this punk rock vibe that makes me think of my younger years, which seems appropriate given the boys rocking in this band are probably not even drinking age. With song titles like "Snapple" and "Hipster Apocalypse," you know there's fun sprinkled into all that serious playing, too. Captain Algebra brings tasty licks, deep grooves and powerful jams. Recently, I saw them live: mosh pit filled with head-banging elbow-throwers, and a stage presence from the band that brought the appropriate rock stances and furrowed brows that project depths of talent - talent that's apparent in the moment, but also hidden in layers of yet-to-be-tapped potential. I'm keeping an eye on these guys, and so should you. {NIKKI MCCOY}

CAPTAIN ALGEBRA, w/Wauby, Johny Las Vegas and the Melee'rs, A Friend, Four Minute Mile, 5 p.m., all ages, Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave., Olympia, $3, 360.943.5710

[DJ] + SAT, MAY 3

The 502 Downtown in Tacoma offers a fresh, night away from the raucous hormonally challenged roughians. The downtown lounge hosts DJs Saturday nights, aimed at a 25 and older crowd - although age is certainly not the only factor with meat-heads who like to ruin a good time. This Saturday, the 502 hosts the Taurus Takeover, a Zodiac party hosted by notable old-school and funk music aficionados Jimmy Jamm and Mr. Nyice Guy (aka Uncle Guy) on the 1's and 2's. Peep it! {JOSE S. GUTIERREZ}

TAURUS TAKEOVER, 9 p.m., 25 and older, The 502 Downtown, 100 S. Ninth St., Tacoma, $10, 206.295.2137

[PUNK] + WED, MAY 7

I wonder what Bay Area punkers Venkman would think of the impending Ghostbusters 3. Something tells me that they would be none too happy. Named after Bill Murray's iconic, sardonic Peter Venkman character - and populated by members with names like Air Bud and Hot Pants - something tells me that Venkman aren't usually serious about much, but the stuff they take seriously they'll likely go nuclear over. Nominally a powerviolence band (charmingly re-dubbed "nerdviolence"), Venkman tear through punishing, briefly blistering songs with silly names like "Powerviolence and Applesauce." At one point or another, Venkman surely must be kidding, but it's unclear where that point is. At times, it feels like Venkman is poking you in the chest and daring you to laugh. There's no guarantee they'd laugh along. {REV. AM}

VENKMAN, w/ Jedi Scum, Under 15 Seconds, 10 p.m., Le Voyeur, 404 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, no cover, 360.943.5710