RED HEX

>>> Saturday, Jan. 30

Last week, at least if you read the Volcano, you learned about Tacoma's Apache Chief - a troupe of SOTA sludge rockers poised to melt off EMP Sound Off!'s face later this month at the annual under-age music competition. Apache Chief is part of a stable of fresh, young bands Tacoma can be proud of - and that stable also includes Red Hex. Led by Sam Olson, of relation to Girl Trouble's Bon Von Wheelie, Red Hex howls at the moon garage rock style, proving you don't need to be old enough to remember the Ramones in their prime to channel that same rebellious energy.  Just check out the Red Hex song "Lisa Frank" and tell me I'm wrong. You won't be able to, I promise. Because I'm not wrong. I'm right. And Red Hex is the shit. See the future at the Den on Saturday. - Matt Driscoll

[The Den @ urbanXchange, with Apache Chief, Tarek Wegner, Fine Slew, 7 p.m., all ages, 1932 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280]

THE NOVEMBER WITCH

>>> Sunday, Jan. 31

You might see members of The November Witch wearing capes or costumes or maybe some plaid pants or Mexican mariachi vests, but their hair is always down and their volume is always up. Back together after a restful hiatus, The November Witch will be at The Brotherhood Sunday, paddling down ear canals in their gondolas of indie rock. Rhythmically gliding into your senses, drum beats stroke the passageways and guitar riffs splash the soul. Psychedelic punk rock best describes the band's style, and star beams shooting from chord progressions and vocals threading leather best describe their sound. Come down and see what I mean. Sharing the stage will be trippy local rockers Yellow Cross and Oakland based noise project Red Trails. - Nikki Talotta

[The Brotherhood Lounge, with Yellow Cross, Red Trails, 9 p.m., $2, 119 Capitol Way N., downtown Olympia, 360.352.4153]

TRIP THE LIGHT FANTASTIC

>>> Sunday, Jan. 31

Trip the Light Fantastic is back - after taking some time off - but the band's return was far from a given. "It got to the point where we didn't even talk to one another, just showed up at the gig," says Trip the Light guitarist Tyler Pratt. "It was one of those things where we had to just put the Trip the Light thing down so we could figure out what the hell was going on with each other." Luckily, for ears in Tacoma, the boys of Trip the Light Fantastic figured it out, and their brand of far-out indie instrumentals has returned to the stage. On Sunday Trip the Light will play an all-ages show at Jazzbones, then on Thursday, Feb. 4 they'll plug in for a 21+ crowd at The New Frontier. "It was a bummer. No one wanted to stop because we all loved the band," says Pratt. "When you go through something like that with your brothers it's a big eye opener. Now we all seem to be in a better place. Just getting loose and getting to create with each other again is utopian." - MD

[Jazzbones, with Island of Birds, Wheelies, 7 p.m., all ages, no cover, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

FUNKYJAHPUNKYS

>>> Tuesday, Feb. 2

The FunkyJahPunkys are an absolute mystery to me. They utilize a dizzying combination of reggae, punk, hip-hop and funk. The outfit is a quartet of Red Hot Chili Pepper acolytes, taking the funk-metal notion to its logical next one or two steps. Their songs vacillate between pummeling riffs and eased-back druggy proclamations. They actually have a song with an Ice-T-contributed rap that features the hilarious line, "CEOs need a mothafuckin' shotgun face makeover. Ka-Blloww!" Their lead-singer may or may not have a hook for a hand. It's enough to make you go, "Huh?" What I have no doubt about is contradictions and Ice-T aside, their live show is bound to be interesting. In preparation, grow some dreadlocks and buy a pot-themed bandana. They'll take it from there. - Rev. Adam McKinney

[Hell's Kitchen, with Urban Evergreen, No Ground, Dreams Jaded, 9 p.m., no cover, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, hellskitchenonline.com]