Punk rock moments in my life:

• Seeing a guitarist stumble and bust a hole in the wall at the now-defunct Stereolounge.
• Refereeing wrestling matches in the dark on a Hilltop lawn, resulting in People Under the Sun's James Jenkins consecutively pinning three competitors.
• Every visit I ever made to the Alano Club.

Unfortunately, of the few punk rock moments I've experienced in my life, rarely have they actually involved punk rock. To those who know me, that's probably not much of a surprise. This year on the Fourth of July, I commemorated my patriotic spirit by wearing a straw hat with a red, white and blue ribbon. Doesn't get much less punk rock than that.

This doesn't prevent me from appreciating punk music, though. When I hear a band like Portland's The Ax, it's from the point of view of an outsider, but an admiring one. I've never been against racket as a form of expression. It helps The Ax is more of an art-punk band. Because I'm a nerd and I need distinctions like that.

A guitar-and-drums duo, The Ax doesn't adhere to the classic three-chord punk progression. The band's songs remain two minute blasts of revved-up rock ‘n' roll, but the complexity they manage to fit in such tightly wrapped packages is impressive.

"Adam (Jelsing) and I have been playing music together since we were probably fourteen," says guitarist Chris Pierce. "We started out listening to early Sub Pop bands and then bands like Black Flag later on. ... Now I think we're somewhere in between."

The Ax's music is moody and dark, but never loses sight of the fun energy that goes hand-in-hand with punk. And, unlike some punk bands, you really get the impression The Ax holds the Song in high esteem.

You know, I've been meaning to get a haircut. Maybe a Mohawk this time.

The Ax

With Belt of Vapor, The Sofistokits, Wednesday, July 14, 9 p.m., cover TBA,
Bob's Java Jive, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma
253.475.9843