Summer is here (finally) and in the heat the other night I had a great discussion with my dear friends DJ Aaron Mack and Metal God of Shred Shug Lewis. Over some icy drinks and blaring N.W.A. and Merciful Fate we talked about "the scene" when we all started in "the biz" versus "the scene" today. Now, I could go on and on about all the incredible punk and metal shows that have happened in Tacoma's past (and I often do), but it all boils down to a few factors. In order for ANY scene to thrive, people need to go out to the shows and actually be a part of the scene! I know you kids these days have your Internets and your cable TV, even on your fancy new-fangled phones. I know you have your extreme sports and reality TV. But it's high time you all got off your collective butts and lived a little!!!! Staring at a screen is nothing like surfin' a huge crowd or going nuts at the local dive bar or basement show!

In some sad news we say goodbye to an incredible woman by the name of Marie "Ma Bell" Allen. One of the first people I met after arriving in Tacoma in 1988, Marie Allen was the mom for the entire scene. Her son, Danny, played in several bands (Rhino Humpers and Sedated Souls back in the day, Point Defiance now), and, beside being a saint, she also introduced me to several big-time rockers (Metallica, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and many more). Seems Marie had been a mom of sorts to those bands too, before setting up camp here in the City of Destiny. Her memorial was last weekend at the Backstage Bar and Grill and featured acoustic sets from great Tacoma musicians. The crowd was packed and very emotional. Goodbye, Ma Bell. You will be missed and never forgotten.

In metal happenings ... Osama Bin Rockin played to a small-yet-appreciative audience at Hell's Kitchen for Metal Wednesday, and I have to say: they have the best frontman in town. The kinetic energy of this insane band is unbelievable. Go see Osama Bin Rockin - purveyors of math-grindcore that is actually accessible to non-grindcore fans (think Pig Destroyer meets Fantomas). They will be playing the Kitchen again Aug. 12 as part of Scumfest 2011, a bill that includes my band, I Defy, South 11th, Deathbed Confessions and Mephitis. Come get twisted with us!

NOTES: Dorky's (the best damn arcade in the 253!) now has beer!!!!! What will this mean for the arcade's all-ages shows? More info soon as the story develops. ... Bloodhunger needs a vocalist, but those interested better be on their A game, because Bloodhunger does NOT mess around!!! Brutal hardcore metal complete with stellar blast beats and real guitar solos - Bloodhunger needs you (if you're man enough)! ... Coming soon to the 206 is Soundfest (Aug. 17-21) featuring Jello Biafra, Zero Boys, Cro-Mags, X and so many more it's crazy. In total it's over a week's worth of shows at, like, five venues. More next week on this incredible event.

THIS WEEK'S MORAL: You don't know what you got ‘til it's gone.

NEXT WEEK: Local Top 10 CDs (finally) and Slayer/Exodus!!!!!! Keep it real and support the scene by becoming the scene!