Nik Dirga at Blogcritics reviews "Fool The World: The Oral History of a Band Called Pixies" by Josh Frank and Caryn Ganz.  Check it. â€" Suzy Stump

While you were eating popcorn in front of "Paris and Brandon Davis â€" The Incredible Hatred Toward Lindsay" video, we compiled this list of concerts going on sale this weekend at Ticketmaster:

On sale Friday at 9 a.m.
Social Distortion Seattle. July 6 7 pm. $25.50 (Moore Theatre).

On sale Friday at 10 a.m.
Devo Seattle. Sept. 9 8 pm. $46-$66 (Paramount Theatre).

On sale Friday at 11 a.m.
The Raconteurs Seattle. July 27 8 pm. $30 (Moore Theatre).

On sale Friday at 4 p.m.
Foo Fighters Seattle. July 11 8 pm. $47.50 (Paramount Theatre).

On sale Saturday at 10 a.m.
Steely Dan/Michael McDonald Auburn. July 28 8 pm. $24-$125.50 (White River Amphitheatre).
KUBE 93 Summer Jam with Bow Wow and E-40 Auburn. July 29 7 pm. $25-$75 (White River Amphitheatre).
O’Jays Tacoma. Aug. 19 8:30 pm. $30-$65 (Emerald Queen Casino).
American Idols Live Tacoma. Sept. 2 7 pm. $37.50-$67.50 (Tacoma Dome).
Carlos Mencia Seattle. Sept. 23 6:30 pm. $41 (Moore Theatre).

On sale Monday at 9 a.m.
Elton John Seattle. Sept. 22 8 pm. $45-$125 (Key Arena).

On sale Monday at 10 a.m.
Bill Gaither and Friends Seattle. Sept. 8 7 pm. $19.50-$35.50 (Key Arena).

SCENE OF THE CRIME by Natasha
This week I'll be twisting the cap off of a three-week exposé on partying in the cozy neighborhood bars in Tacoma.
How am I classifying "neighborhood bar," you ask? Think rows of residential homes with the warm glow of neon beer signs from a single tavern or pub smacked right in the middle.
Of course, the first neighborhood watering hole that I'll be waxing philosophic about is the Parkway Tavern. Ah, the PDub.
I was first introduced to the Parkway through my softball team. We'd go there every Friday night after our games for what I considered to be the best microbrew/popcorn/quesadilla dinner in town. Even though it's just standard microwave popcorn, it tastes better at the PDub for some reason. Also, the jalapeños in the quesadillas are a tongue lashing, but man, are they good.
I typically took part in these post-game sessions as a pre-func for the rest of the evening, but sometimes the nights were so fun-filled at the Parkway that I kicked it in my cleats until 2 a.m.
It's easy to slip into the Parkway anytime of day. I like saying hello to whichever dog is out front followed by BS-ing with the quick-witted, jovial early evening regulars inside who converse underneath the retired beer taps hanging from the ceiling. It's also good to catch the late nights on the weekends - typically a younger crowd, some college kids, South Sound socialites, and time-honored locals, each of whom is probably stoked that they have the ability to stumble back to their North End abodes. Hello no, Five-O!
The Parkway has really spiffed itself up recently with a renovation of the entire bar. The front area now features a beautiful custom cherry wood bar and soft green paint on the walls. There are brand-new tables and chairs and sexy black leather on the mafia booths over to the side.
In the coming months, the Parkway will also feature a new party room, replete with a plasma television, DVD player, loveseat and a fireplace - like we needed an excuse to call the Parkway our living room. John the manager showed me a sampling of the upholstery that will cover the furniture in the room. It's a soft zebra print. He was kind enough to let me pet the zebra. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me, John. But seriously, the room will soon be available for renting out for big occasions, or on a first come, first served basis. There's also a game room in the back with a pool table, shuffle board, and video games.
What's just as important is the one word that really matters at the Parkway and in life in general: BEER. Over the last year, the PDub has increased its beers on tap from 12 to 20 - music to a Northwest microbrew lover's ears. There also are other beverages, like wine, available for those who are watching their weight, but if you're really from Tacoma, you have to drink beer there. Right now I'm diggin' on Mac and Jack's Serengeti Wheat and the wonderful PDub bartenders who always treat me right.
As I alluded to previously, you haven't truly lived in Tacoma until you've had several pints and fun at the Parkway.
So, pull up a barstool next to me, and let's raise the glasses.
Happy chuggin'.
Parkway Tavern, 313 N. I St., Tacoma's Stadium District, (253) 383-8748

Tell me where you like to party at sceneofthecrime.

PERMANENT LIPSTICK by Ginger Knoxx
Here's the deal: I spent all of last weekend in Astoria, Ore., at The Italian's mom's place at the beach. Beautiful drive along the coast, especially since I procured current tabs for my car not a scant 20 minutes before we hit the highway. Now let me be clear on how much I dig Tacoma, but boy is it fan-freaking-tastic to get away. I'm sure no one wants to hear how we rose at 5 a.m. each day and went to Seaside to dig razor clams or how we stuffed ourselves silly on the bounty of the sea each evening. Instead I think I will just ramble on about upcoming stuff around the Sound. Let's begin.

Who likes the lineup for Sasquatch Festival this year? Um ... everybody, because it's going to be sick. Saturday's ticket alone is worth a bazillion dollars - The Flaming Lips, Gomez, Iron & Wine, Neko Case, The Shins, Common Market. And Sunday boasts The Arctic Monkys, Matisyahu, Pretty Girls Make Graves, QOTSA, Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah. I am so excited I could just pee. So much amazing stuff crammed into those short two and a half days. I wish it was like the old days at The Gorge; the camping area was almost as much fun as the actual show. Pappi Swarner, Matt D. and his chick, The Italian and I and other fun friends will make the trip and hear more rad music than you can imagine.

Dead Man's Attic and Ebony's shop Galore on St. Helens are going the opposite direction of Opera Alley's Third Thursday Wine Walk with Boones Farm or Night Train instead of wine tastes. Stop by and get your swill on.

Fast Ross writes from the tour bus of Exodus that went from "sweating balls" in Florida where the bus broke down, causing the band to miss its Atlanta show, to wearing jackets in Boston. He'll be back the end of May with tales from the road to share.

This Friday Don't Tell Sophie plays at Club SOTA, an all-ages, no booze environment in downtown Tacoma on Commerce Street. If that's not your thing, check out the lovely Najamonique with her new band, THE DEMISE, made up of a couple of guys from Painted Window and Naja handling lead vocals. As Naja puts it, the music is like "Tina Turner singing for a harder rock band." You can bet Naja will deliver. I have seen her on stage in the past, and she can wail. THE DEMISE plays its first show at Hell's Kitchen on May 19 as well.

The Free Tacoma Project hits the road and heads for Studio 7 on May 30 for a hip-hop show with The Biznautics, Can-U and the Propa Godz. I hope Studio 7 is just slacking and that's why the show isn't on its Web site. I'd really like to see The Biznautics on a big stage.

Devil Day is just around the bend and what better to do than go see 3 Inches of Blood at The Temple. Yeah, I know that sounds so wrong, but it's true. 3IB plays Tacoma's Temple Theatre on 6/6/06. Bluecifer will sit in on bass with opening act I DEFY. Dress up in your favorite devil costume or 666 T-shirt. Warrior helmets are encouraged.

And last but not least, I'd like to point out that Tacoma has been officially acknowledged by Seattle's music bible, The Stranger, as having bands and music venues that are worth a damn. Let's all thank Hannah Levin for shining the light to the south.  If you didn't catch the article that quotes Hell's Kitchen's Flash, The Tribune's Ernest Jasmin, The Elephant's Jason Freet, Rocket Record's Ash, and others, it's in Volume 15, Number 35. It's about freakin' time, but Hannah, was the meth dig really necessary?  I'm betting your beloved Seattle has its share of addicts, too.

Give me a wink and a kiss here.  Knoxx knows.

The City of Gig Harbor will offer a downtown shuttle on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in July and August as a means to get residents and visitors to the shopping and dining areas along the waterfront from the Gig Harbor Inn and up and down the hill along Soundview Drive and Olympic Drive.  The shuttle will run on the half-hour.  Sing-a-longs are optional. â€" Ken Swarner

Tacoma country singer turned Nashville recording star Jonathan Harris will be live and on the air with Kevin the Bus Man this afternoon 4:30-5 p.m. Tune in to Q Country 102.9 FM to hear a new song or two expected to be released on Jonathan's next CD. â€" Suzy Stump

Seattle metal band BloodHag crank it tonight on KEXP's Sonic Reducer show around 9 p.m. â€" Brad Allen

Perhaps the next expression of Tacoma's newfound urbanity is the quality of your pet shop. The Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, located in the heart of town on Fawcett Street, is the first downtown animal clinic to offer complete veterinary services to the emerging urban elite of Tacoma. The shop aims to attract the well-to-do pet owners that are crowding into the new condominiums poping-up left and right in the downtown. To back up this hip image the clinic will attract artist to produce a gallery of two-dimensional animal art open to the public on the monthly Third Thursday Art Walk. Currently the clinic is still looking for a network of such artists to tap into, says Julia Ruffell from the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital. They are also looking for a bid from a carpenter to build a railing around their planned gallery (carpenters and animal artists alike, please contact the hospital to schedule an appointment with the pet hospital). Julia Ruffel, from the clinic insists that offering strong support to the arts in Tacoma and surrounding neighborhoods is paramount to health and vitality of the community. The pet clinic hopes to participate in the monthly Art Walks beginning in July. â€" Hilbren Buys

More than just the pulsating beat, there's just something about reggae music that makes you feel good.  It transports you to a place where the sun is always shining and the crystal blue waters are forever calm.  One performer delivering such positive vibes stateside is Clinton "Basie" Fearon. For a little over 20 years Fearon has been pumping out 72 beats per minute with authenticity and a keen sense of traditionalism.  Cutting his teeth as a founding member of the celebrated singing group the Gladiators in the early '70s, Fearon became one of the most sought after session bass players in Kingston, Jamaica, while the band quickly gained notoriety.  Fearon left the Gladiators and relocated to Seattle in the late '80s where he co-founded the Defenders. The band's 1987 EP, Chant Down Babylon/Rock Your Bones, reached number 14 on The Reggae Route Top 20.  The multi-instrumentalist wrote the lyrics and sang lead as well as playing bass, guitar and percussion. After going solo for three years, Fearon formed his third band, the Boogie Brown Band, in 1993.  Fearon and company have released three acclaimed discs, 1994's Disturb the Devil, 1997's Mystic Whisper, and 2003's What A System. Tonight, 9 p.m., $10, Jazzbones, 2803 Fifth Ave., Tacoma. - Tony Engelhart

It may be a little-known fact â€" God knows why â€" but this area is teeming with really good blues musicians. Overrun, almost. And like lemmings, they will all be swarming to Jazzbones June 3 for the South Sound Blues Association's first annual Journey to Memphis 2007 Preliminary Band Competition "battle of the bands" night.  (Leave a bluesman sitting out in the summer sun with nothing to do, and it isn't pretty. For example, look at Huey Lewis. He used to play harp, but now ... it's just sad.)
The battle features each performer cranking 35 minute sets for a panel of judges.  The top four bands will advance to the finals, which will be held at the Freedom Fair July 4 along Ruston Way.  The winner of that competition will compete in the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, Tenn., in February 2007.
Here is the June 3 line up:

• 6 p.m. Blues Alliance
• 7 p.m. Back n' Blue
• 8 p.m. the James Howlett Band
• 9 p.m. Loose Gravel and The Quarry
• 10 p.m. Michal Miller Band
• 11 p.m. In The House
• Midnight Jam session

Go, dance, cheer for the musicians. Saturday, June 3, 6 p.m., $10, Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, (253) 396-9169. â€" Suzy Stump