LOZEN

Saturday, Dec. 26
Tacoma, I don't believe you truly appreciate what you have. No, I'm not talking about cheap real estate and an overcrowded jail - I'm talking about Lozen. The band, dude. Hozoji Matheson-Margullis and longtime friend Justine Valdez, just the two of them - fucking tearing it up, unpretentiously - just like the town they call home. Thanks to vigorous touring and chunk solid, hot-to-the-touch, stoned black riffs, Lozen has earned a reputation in soundproofed and beer-smelling clubs across this great nation; these are two badass chicks, and Lozen is an act to reckon with. But, inexplicably, here in Tacoma  sometimes Lozen goes - not unnoticed - but severely underappreciated. This simply must stop. When Juice and Hoz plug in and throwdown, all ears in Tacoma should stand at attention. Start this Saturday at The New Frontier. - Matt Driscoll
[The New Frontier Lounge, with G2, Sugar Sugar Sugar, 9 p.m., cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

THE HUMANS

Monday, Dec. 28
When I listen to Reno's the Humans I kind of feel like I'm walking into a crowded biker bar on the wrong side of the law. It's telling that, on the band's MySpace page, they list their only genre as "rock." They're only aim is to rock you. Their instruments are filth and fury, and if you come away from one of their shows without a ringing in your ears or sweat dripping down your face, one gets the sense that they'd feel as though they failed in some way. The Humans' lyrics are collections of classic rock tropes, their ambitions are for stadiums, and their road to rock is paved in groupies, fifths of Jack and hard-luck tours through the heart of America. Or at least that's what it sounds like. - Rev. Adam McKinney
[Charlie's Bar and Grill, hosted by Torrez, 8 p.m., no cover, 620 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.8181]

KIMYA DAWSON

Wednesday, Dec. 30
"Do it for the living and do it for the dead. Do it for the monsters under your bed. Do it for the teenagers and do it for your mom. Broken hearts hurt but they make us strong and we won't stop until somebody calls the cops. And even then we'll start again and just pretend that nothing ever happened." Take those simple, right-on lyrics, throw in some acoustic, feel-good guitar and it's no wonder Kimya Dawson found herself in the spotlight. This Olympia mama's sweet, throaty voice highlighted the hit movie Juno, and ever since has warmed hearts across the nation. Let her warm yours this Wednesday at the Capitol Backstage in Olympia during an all-ages show. - Nikki Talotta
[Capitol Theater Backstage, with Japanther, Broken Water, 7:30 p.m., $8, all ages, 206 Fifth Ave., Olympia, 360.754.5378.]

THE PAPERBOYS

Thursday, Dec. 31
As another year draws to a close, I'm pretty sure you deserve a night out. You've earned it. If nothing else, you deserve a special treat simply for making it through another year without going postal on an elected official or meter maid. So instead of waiting around for that last-minute invitation to the perfect New Year's Eve party, why not proactively procure yourself a seat at a huge NYE dinner show produced by Tacoma's Hanna & Barbera - Reed Riley and Jason MacKinnon. The former team behind many a worthy Jazzbones' show have paired a three entrée option dinner with champagne and The Paperboys, Canada's famous stomp band. A mixture of Latino, bluegrass and Americana with a Celtic jolt that may incite such strong dance moves that your oven-baked vegetarian lasagna option might ask for an encore, the Paperboys are reason to believe Canada has more to offer than hockey, the Barenaked Ladies and The Kids in the Hall. Former Paperboys fiddle extraordinaire Kendel Carson will open the show. - Michael Swan
[The Shrine Center, with Kendel Carson, 7 p.m. dinner, 9 p.m. show, $29, $59 dinner package, 815 S. Vassault St., Tacoma, 360.951.7449]