HELL'S KITCHEN CUSTOMER APPRECIATION NIGHT

>>> Thursday, Dec. 23

The holidays are traditionally a time for giving back, and in that spirit, Hell's Kitchen is hosting their annual "Customer Appreciation Night." Beleaguered, cash-strapped attendees will be pleased to hear that admission on Thursday night will be free, food will be free and drinks will be sold at preposterously low prices - $3 for well drinks and beers. (Ho, ho, ho.) Veterans I Defy headline the evening, preempting the Christmas holiday with satanic rawness. A decent comparison might be head-banging heroes Motörhead - by their own admission, I Defy are, in the Motörhead vein, "a very punk metal band or a very metal punk band." I Defy will play after no less than four other bands, making this show "five for the price of none." Obviously, the hell-raising baby Jesus wants his cradle to rawk. - Jason Baxter

[Hell's Kitchen, with I Defy, Neutralboy, South 11th, Psycho 78, Klondike Kate, Free, 8 p.m., 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

MIGHTY HIGH

>>> Saturday, Dec. 25

As I'm sure I've noted in the past, if there is any possibility of you attending a Mighty High show, you kind of don't need me to tell you that one is coming up. Chances are you'll be there with blown-glass bells on. But, in case you've been trapped in a smoky den with only Cool Ranch Doritos^TM for sustenance, here's the long and short of Mighty High: They have a tendency to totally jam out; they lean in a dub-y direction; they have a song called "Medicinal Melodies." Are you picking up what I'm putting down? You are a Mighty High fan, and you have no idea, man. Let's meet up in the parking lot for a pre-show hackey-sack sesh (short for session). - Rev. Adam McKinney

[Doyle's Public House, 10 p.m., no cover, 208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

C.F.A. DISARMED

>>> Sunday, Dec. 26

Sunday at The New Frontier Lounge, veteran local hardcore trio Cody Foster Army will be playing one of their "disarmed" acoustic sets. The early show (starts at 7 p.m.) also includes Looking for Lizards and Rich Bundy, and has a post-holiday wallet-sparing two-for-one entry policy. "With Disarmed, we add seven other people, so there's ten of us," explains thee Cody Foster of C.F.A. (and, of course, C.F.A. Disarmed). "We got a guy playing the horn, we got a guy playing the harmonica, we got a twelve-string (guitar) and acoustic guitars and Rick King, the Guitar Maniacs owner (the Volcano's "Best Tacoman" for 2010). He's doing a bunch of small instruments with us also, mostly percussive stuff. We've got two other percussionists. It's quite fun." - Jason Baxter

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Rich Bundy, Looking For Lizards, 7 p.m., Cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

RANDY OXFORD BAND

>>> Sunday, Dec. 26

For eight freakin' years in a row - never wavering - the Randy Oxford Band has encouraged (hell, inspired!) you to get out of the goddamn house the night after Christmas and shake some of the tinsel and stuffing off. It's known as the "Tis the Night After Christmas Get Out of the House Party."  And although that's a fairly wordy title, the gist is pretty simple - the South Sound's mad horn-blower and his gang of bluesy merrymakers tear the house down (in this case, Jazzbones - and not literally) while you shake whatever it is you have to shake on the dance floor. In short order, and without fail, good times are had by all. This year, if you don't get that fancy new tech gadget or expensive perfume you're hoping for, at least you'll know the Randy Oxford Band will always be there for you on the day after Christmas. Also, you should stop being so materialistic. ... - Michael Swan

[Jazzbones, 7-10 p.m., all ages, $12, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]