This week I'm placing a great deal of responsibility on my readers. When editor Pappi Swarner tipped me off about an upcoming show at Tahoma Tea and Co. - formerly The Den - I naturally became very excited. But a quick glance at my work schedule promptly transformed anticipation of a great show into the need to persuade all of you into going on my behalf. Shouldn't be a difficult task: This Tuesday,Tahoma Tea and Co. is hosting an all-ages show featuring Week of Wonders, Humble Cub and Shogun Barbie.

My response to this bill was undoubtedly representative of how most Tacoma music fans reacted: HUMBLE CUB IS PLAYING?!

Humble Cub has recently built a strong rapport among young fans of subversive pop. It has become Tacoma's answer to bands such as Neutral Milk Hotel, Modest Mouse and Talking Heads. Its latest album, Telegram From Your Future Life, (released last December) has achieved heavy circulation in the South Sound.

I inadvertently acquired Telegram From Your Future Life from Hi-Voltage Records several months ago. Though I can't attribute much longevity to my fanship of Humble Cub, it didn't take long for its music to catch my ear. In fact, I think it took me about a block and a half down the road - as I had put the unassuming disc in my car's CD player on the way home.  

Songs like the opening track "Saw You" - a grocery store tale of unrequited love - and the infectious "Smile" make it difficult not to rep Tacoma music.

Let's not get too distracted. Shogun Barbie is also playing. The basement punk sweethearts just competed in The Experience Music Project's Sound Off! battle of the bands, alongside fellow South Sound bands THE FAME RIOT and SHEBEAR. Its driving "slop pop" sound began nearly a year and a half ago and has been refined into something that can only be fully comprehended through first-hand experience.

Tahoma Tea and Co. will also feature a visit from the 206, as Seattle band Week of Wonders is making an appearance. You'll all dig their reverberated guitar melodies and acid-trippy lyrics. Read Weekly Volcano scribe Rev. Adam McKinney's thoughts on the band.

I hope I've thoroughly convinced all of you to attend this show. Since my unfortunate scheduling conflict won't permit my own presence, each and every one of you has to have twice as much fun on my behalf.

HUMBLE CUB, w/Shogun Barbie and Week of Wonders, 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, Tacoma Tea and Co., 1932 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280