SEACATS

>>> Thursday, Aug. 12

Tacoma has a problem developing bands like SEACATS. It seems like if you want power pop you have to leave Tacoma, and probably even pass by Seattle. You have to hit Kelso. Or Bellingham. Or one of many other Washington towns that's unselfconscious enough to nurture a Weezer-esque pop rock act - a band so much more concerned with fun and sun and young love than our comparatively dour locals. In the middle of a typically bouncy SEACATS song, the band even finds time for a buzzy guitar solo. That should tell you something. SEACATS is a young band - and former Sound Off! Competitors - and they sound like it, in the best way possible. Their future's so bright they gotta wear shades. Optimism like that is a joy to listen to. - Rev. Adam McKinney

[The Den @ urbanXchange, with The Masques, Safe and Easy, 7 p.m., all ages cover TBA, 1934 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.722.9987]

C.L.A.W.S.

>>> Friday, Aug. 13

C.L.A.W.S. is the project of San Franciscan Brian D. Hock, an unlikely West Coast underground talent (and radio DJ) whose booming beats and wintry digital blips would sound right at home in the famed clubs of Cologne, the world capital for all things komische. Hock, who gleaned inspiration from time spent grooving in Berlin's inimitable electro scene, shares many qualities with the gifted gearheads of German über-label Kompakt (Justus Köhncke, Thomas Fehlmann, Ferenc, and Scsi 9, to name a few), including an appreciation of sub-bass rattle, 4/4 house rhythms and icy textural flourishes. Any low-key electronic aesthete capable of holding their own against Deutschland's microhouse heavyweights is definitely worth catching. - Jason Baxter

[The Northern, with Joey Casio, Finesse, Global Warming, and Prints, 9 p.m., all ages, $6-$10, 321 Fourth Ave., Olympia, northernolympia.org]

CAT FANCY!

>>> Saturday, Aug. 14

Let's talk about some badass girl bands, shall we? Saturday at Le Voyeur you're going to see two of them: Morgan and the Organ Donors and Portland's Cat Fancy! (Exclamation point included.) About the latter: Cat Fancy! rides the art-punk line between pop songwriting and fuck-you dissonance. There are several signifiers that might be attached to the band, such as: riot grrrl (does that still exist?), electro-clash, and glam punk. What these made-up terms all try to express is that Cat Fancy! wear awesome outfits, blow out eardrums, and could probably kick my ass three ways from Sunday. To me, that sounds like a perfect way to spend a Saturday, and it comes to you live - without the aid of a drum. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. - Rev. AM

[Le Voyeur, with Morgan and the Organ Donors, 10 p.m., 21+, no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

HELLTROUT

>>> Saturday, Aug. 14

It has been 18 years since legendary Oly punk metal band Helltrout has played. In a development that started as joking about how funny it would be to have a reunion show like all old rockers, Helltrout is officially back for one glorious night. Four-fifths of the original band will be rocking out at Olympia's Eastside Club Saturday. Mike Clam, along with bandmate Don Stewart play in Seattle's Mico De Noche, but are excited to come together with early Nirvana drummer Dave Foster and bass player Jason Morales to reunite Helltrout! Along with The Noses and The Tide, (both with members from the North Shore Club era) a flashback to 1992 will be in full effect Saturday. "Luckily we wrote all the songs in a way that was easy to play wasted, so it was fairly easy to come back to," chuckles Clam.  - Nikki Talotta

[The Eastside Club, with The Noses, The Tide, $5, 410 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.357.9985]