[POST PUNK] + FRI, MAY 16

Hailing from Oakland, Steel Cranes are a no-nonsense duo composed of Tracy Shapiro and Amanda Shuckle. Their brand of wiry, nervy post-punk recalls badasses such as PJ Harvey and Patti Smith. The assault of guitar and drums is dialed in to a degree that would be exhausting if it weren't so exhilarating. Songs speed by in fervent blasts, or they stomp and shake and rattle your bones. As a vocalist, Shapiro is slinky and menacing, trading off sultry entreaties and snarling affronts. Steel Cranes borrow structure from heavy blues, but they twist and distort it into something that feels fresh and exciting, which is not an easy feat. But, when the headbanging stops and the tempo starts racing faster and faster, that's where their power truly lives. {REV. ADAM MCKINNEY}

STEEL CRANES, w/ the Redwood Plan, Japanese Game Show, 7 p.m., Le Voyeur, 404 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, $5, 360.943.5710

[ROCK] + FRI, MAY 16

One of the endearing things about the Tacoma music scene is the longevity of the musicians and the love the town still has for them. The band that now sports the name of The Fucking Eagles is a prime example. Their live show reminds one of a '50s sock hop mixed with a backwoods roadhouse show of the same era. It's fun as hell. Third on the bill are the Bob Mould-meets-Modest Mouse- in-a-blender type sounds of Blanco Bronco, another T-town band of veterans that recently released their first vinyl LP. Before them will be the heavy and instrumental Raptor Tractor whose sound drifts from straight forward hardcore into a wall of intricate timing and noise rock. All metal heads will find something in there to bang head or stroke their beard to. Rounding out the bill is a band called masonsapron who should be seen on principal by name alone. All this is happening in honor of Tacoma booking guy Chuck Gosk turning the dirty 30, so expect debauchery and beers. I mean a lot of beers. {MATT SADER}

THE FUCKING EAGLES, w/Blanco Bronco, Raptor Tractor, masonsapron, 9 p.m., The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, cover tba, 253.572.4020

[ROCK] + SAT, MAY 17

Saturday's music selection includes the promise of noise rock at its finest with a killer line-up at Bob's Java Jive: Heavy hitters Giza just put out a new record; Bali Girls, with their avant-garde noise rock, are making the show a CD release party; Diesto, a prog metal band from Portland, are playing live in the KEXP studio earlier in the day. What strikes my curiosity most is the set by sludge rockers Ex-Gods, the new incarnation of Mahnhammer. Bob's booker Brandon Rowley says expect the band, "To not necessarily abandon all that was Mahnhammer, but to build off of it. ... But, really I have no hopes other than for them to fucking rock." If you know these T-town reps that will certainly happen. {NIKKI MCCOY}

EX-GODS, w/Giza, Bali Girls, Diesto, 9 p.m., Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, $5, 253.475.9843

[SOFT INDIE ROCK] + SUN, MAY 18

LAKE had a busy 2013, releasing two full-length albums - The World is Real and Circular Doorway - while continuing their habit of not making too much of a fuss about it. Throughout their seven-year career, LAKE has quietly established itself as one of the best bands in the Pacific Northwest, crafting little lo-fi gems of glowing '70s soft rock-indebted indie rock. Their music is sunny and buoyant without falling into twee territory, and airy without risking the chillwave categorization. Any integration of discord into their waves of pristine harmonies is a welcome one, and helps to integrate texture and movement into what sometimes approaches the overly serene. Sunday finds them joining a free bill with two other solid local indie bands in Humble Cub and Coma Figura. It's not to be missed. {REV. AM}

LAKE, w/ Humble Cub, Coma Figura, 6 p.m., Half Pint Pizza Pub, 2710 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, no cover, 253.272.2531