>>> Friday, Feb. 15

BLACK MARBLE

As a mission statement, you couldn't find one much clearer than "Cruel Summer," the lead-off track on the latest release by Black Marble. As if the title didn't do well enough to harken back to the early '80s, from the moment that stiff drum machine meets up with those pulsing, neon synthesizers, Black Marble has firmly planted its feet in the same camp as Joy Division, OMD, Tears for Fears and the Eurythmics. Lead singer Chris Stewart's voice has that deep, reverb-soaked quality that instantly evokes, in turn, Ian Curtis and Roland Orzabal. Needless to say, they're not the perkiest band in the world, but if you're looking for that gloomy, trench coat-wearing, severe bangs-having part of yourself touched, Black Marble sure does hit that sweet spot. - Rev. Adam McKinney

LE VOYEUR, W/ BROKEN WATER, HAPPY NOOSE, 10 P.M., NO COVER, 404 E. FOURTH AVE., OLYMPIA, 360.943.5710

>>> Friday, Feb. 15

THE BREAKLITES

The ever-popular Tacoma hip-hop group The Breaklites just recently released the video for the title track from its fourth, very popular full-length In The Trunk, which was released in the summer of 2012. The video is the culmination from being on the road capturing the group in grainy, minimalistic black-and-white footage that compliments the song's simplistic, yet driving beat.

The crew, which came together in 2008, has spent the last two years pushing forward with a growing group of musicians, and an ever-expanding fanbase. From rocking sold-out shows to their first adventure down to SXSW, 2012 saw The Breaklites begin to enjoy some of the fruits of its labor; in that regard, the video for "In the Trunk" is a celebration of the work the band put in over the last several years. To celebrate the whole deal, the group is throwing a homecoming party at DOA Feb. 15 with Seattle rap trio Kung Foo Grip. - Timothy Grisham

DIRTY OSCAR'S ANNEX, 9 P.M., 21+, NO COVER, 2309 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.572.0588

>>> Friday, Feb. 15-Saturday, Feb. 16

MICO DE NOCHE

If you flipped through the calendar from McCoy's Tavern around 10 years ago, when any given weekend promised a f---ing rock show, Mico De Noche would be one of the bands listed, scrawled across dried beer, the letters slightly blurred.  And on those show days, the buzz about the super-tight metal two-piece would be more than a symptom of happy hour. People were genuinely excited to see them, just as they are today. Mico De Noche has evolved over the last decade into a reputable foursome that continues to excel at rocking and sarcasm. This upcoming weekend both Tacoma and Olympia get to taste the sweet dank metal of Mico De Noche, with thrash duo Vanguard and T-town metalheads Bloodhunger. Come to either show and have access to Mico De Noche's brand spanking new 7-inch set to release in stores Feb 26. The blood-red disc features cover artwork by Eugene-based Sean Schock, who does work for handfuls of bands, including YOB and Brothers of the Sonic Cloth. In other words, that 7-inch is sexy as hell and will look good in your collection. Come to the show and let the metal take over. - Nikki McCoy

MCCOY'S TAVERN, FRIDAY, FEB. 15, 10 P.M., $5, 418 FOURTH AVE., OLYMPIA, 360.352.0696

O'MALLEY'S IRISH PUB, SATURDAY, FEB. 16, 9 P.M., $5, 2403 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.627.9403

>>> Sunday, Feb. 17

THE ALBERT SQUARE

The cover of The Albert Square album, Scared of the Youth, Scared of What's Next!, depicts two robots: one happy, one angry. It's an evocatively nerdy image, and once those first power chords come bursting out of "Sensational Programming," it becomes clear that this will all be a very nerdy procession, indeed. The Albert Square make peppy pop-punk that calls to mind other practitioners of grinning, clever alt-rock, like They Might Be Giants, the Dead Milkmen, and Cake - not to mention Barenaked Ladies, Blink 182 and Ben Kweller. You get the idea. But no matter how clever you are, you'd be dead in the water without some serious, smart hooks, and The Albert Square has those in spades. Joining The Albert Square for this free show are fellow indie rocker Brooklyn Pool, Trees and Timber, and the up-and-coming awesomeness of Shogun Barbie. - Rev AM

WINGMEN BREWERY, W/ BROOKLYN POOL, TREES AND TIMBER, SHOGUN BARBIE, 9 P.M., NO COVER, 509 ½ PUYALLUP AVE., TACOMA, 253.651.4832

>>> Wednesday, Feb. 20

BEST OF OLYMPIA PARTY

The Weekly Volcano and Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel present the 2013 Best of Olympia Issue party Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Capitol Theater. The Weekly Volcano will crown the 2013 Best of Olympia winners and celebrate all things Thurston County. We'll hand out the special issue hot off the press (a day before it hits the street), cheer on the winners and host a fabulous free show. South Sound theater great Elizabeth Lord will emcee the show. Entertainment will include the TUSH! Burlesque Troupe, bands Mosquito Hawk and Science!, short films, theater acts and more. We'll also host a free raffle with tons of prizes. It's an 18+ party, with beer and wine available in the balcony. You'll enjoy a cornucopia of Olympia culture packed into one early evening. Talk about awesome. See you there! - Weekly Volcano

CAPITOL THEATER, 6-9 P.M., NO COVER, 206 E. Fifth Ave., Olympia, 360.754.6670

LINKS: Scenes from the 2011 Best of Olympia Party and 2012 Best of Olympia Party