Just four months ago hardcore bands Crowd War and John Belushi disbanded and reformed to create To Die For, a favorite hardcore metal band of local all-ages venues.

To Die For's throbbing, metal-rage-inducing lineup consists of Patrick Adickes with the vocals, Mike Mike Lavagnino on guitar, Mike Elverston on drums, Mat Donaho playing bass and our dear friend Justin Kirby also on guitar.

"We love playing all-ages shows," Kirby tells me, "The kids are at the show to see the music, not just because they're at a bar and there happens to be music playing in the background." Getting a crowd into the music can be a challenge for most new bands, but To Die For already seems to have the magic.

The greater challenge Kirby faces - much more demanding than a room full of metal and hardcore music fans - is parenthood. With a baby girl on the way, Kirby and his wife have already prepared their daughter's room with a safari motif.

Kirby informed me that although he didn't do any painting to the room, he did successfully apply vinyl safari-themed decals to his future baby girl's bedroom wall. In this week's issue of Metal Home Companion, I'd like to pass along Kirby's vinyl wall decal application tips:

1. Do not take all the paper off the back of the decal right away. Instead, peel a little off and start from the top, slowly working your way down the decal and peeling as you adhere.

2. Flatten the decal as you go with a credit card to push out any air bubbles.

3. When finished, look for bubbles and make sure the decal is straight. If there are air bubbles, scrape them out with a credit card.

4. If it‘s crooked, you'll have to start all over. Take the decal off slowly and re-adhere using the same steps as before.

Kirby adds the advice, "Be patient. It's not going to go on the wall the way you want it on the first try."

Needing no reapplication, but perhaps a little patience as you wait, is To Die For's upcoming all-ages show at Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma on April 18. Show-goers can expect a live premier of To Die For's newest song "John Locke," and they hope to secure the vocalist of Plague Ships for their performance.

HELL'S KITCHEN, COWARDICE, TO DIE FOR, I DELILAH, SAFE & SOUND, LO' DO I SEE MY BROTHER, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 6 P.M., ALL AGES, 928 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 253.759.6003