VALIS

>>> Friday, April 9

Correct me if I'm wrong: Valis is a band made up of leather-clad, rock ‘n' roll Satan worshippers who live together in a giant interstellar vessel powered only by pure, gutturally wailing psychedelic metal and capable of leaping across time and space. Is that right? How goddamn awesome are these guys? Let's see: The band's name comes from a Philip K. Dick novel (and we all know he's the most badass sci-fi author ever); lead singer and guitarist Van Conner (See: Screaming Trees) has a voice that shrieks like Ozzy Osbourne on the other side of the Stargate; and the music as stony as stony gets - and stony has gotten pretty damn stony. Bottom line: When a band has a song called "Under Satan's Will" that still manages to defy expectations, there's something to be said for that. That "something" is "awesome." - Rev. Adam McKinney

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Legend of Bigfoot and Midnight Salvage Co., 9 p.m., cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

JAMES AND THE EXPRESS

>>> Friday, April 9

James and the Express is a twee-pop band that seems to be obsessed with tomatoes. That's as good a place to start as any, I suppose. Bouncy, impossibly sunny melodies carry the songs on Are Your Tomatoes Safe?, the band's debut album. Band leader James Mackison's voice is humble and sweet, with occasional dips into Elvis Costello territory. Music as gentle and unassuming as this is a double-edged sword - people are attracted and repelled by it for the same reason. Mackison has an almost McCartney-esque preoccupation with love, and when he refers to his heart as having been "built for two," you kind of want there to be more of an edge. But, then again, the innocence is what made it special in the first place. - Rev. AM

[Le Voyeur, with Cleeman, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

TIM REYNOLDS TRIO

>>> Saturday, April 10

If there's one thing Tim Reynolds (of the appropriately named Tim Reynolds Trio) can do it's jam on it. Dude is like best buds from way back with Dave Matthews, after all, which means he's no fan of the two and a half minute pop song. Nope, this guitarist is all about the improvisation. Playing Colombo, my guess is Reynolds smokes a little weed - but that's neither here nor there, and I'm not going on anything but his band, his hair, and his penchant for "jamming on it."  Perhaps that's stereotypical of me. On Saturday, Reynolds will give fellow jammers and those just waiting for Dave Matthews' annual sandal-fest at the Gorge something to chew on when the Tim Reynolds Trio lights up Jazzbones. It'll probably smell like a skunk in there, but - again - that's probably stereotypical. - Matt Driscoll

[Jazzbones, 9 p.m., $15, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

JOSH RIZEBERG

>>> Sunday, April 11

Renown MC/poet and T-Town representative Josh Rizeberg hosts an all-ages Aries Party for yo' ass at The Viaduct in Tacoma Sunday.  Rizeberg will bring to the stage performances by: $krilla, Illizm, TKO, Bounce, Wicked Sixx, Darxiide, Business As Usual, Young Swag and L.O.P.  A thick lineup of 253 talent by any measure, Rizeberg will also be celebrating the exclusive pre-release of the highly anticipated follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut, Spoken Worlds.  Rizeberg's new album, A Word To The Wize - scheduled for release April 27 - will be available at the show that also features a $100 dance contest and radio-hitters Darxiide - who, I hope, bang their hit, "Wanna Bite Me." Spin that one y'all, the female vocalist is dope. - Jose S. Gutierrez Jr.

[Viaduct, 6 p.m., all ages, $7, 5412 S. Tacoma, Way, Tacoma, 253.365.8197]