MATT DRISCOLL: IS ON MYSPACE FAR TOO MUCH >>>

I just read this bulletin from www.myspace.com/pugetsoundpizza">Puget Sound Pizza on Myspace. I thought it was worth passing along:

"Come and check out Keith Musig as he does a two-hour set at PSP from 8-10pm, you may know Keith from his regular sets at Two Koi downtown Tacoma. Drink and food specials all night in the bar.

As always this event at PSP is FREE, so come check it out. Rock on."

STEPH DEROSA: LET’S TALK FABULOUS

Whatever happened to the Fabulous Firwood Roadhouse in Fife?  Well, I’ll tell you, it’s been closed for septic repair since mid-December.  Lucky for you guys, I had a chat with Hyon “Luv” Kil, Firwood general manager and partner, and discovered he’ll open up the joint hopefully within the next few weeks.

There are very few places in this area who have stood the bar and tavern test of time, yet the Firwood has please the Puget Sound area since 1923. Kil and his family set eyes upon the dying building in December of 2005, and quickly fell in love.  They saw the potential, made it happen, and gave us what the Fabulous Firwood Roadhouse is today (well, in a few weeks):

• Local cover bands and good, live music
• A 500-person capacity (filled on the weekends with a line at the door)
• Amazing acoustics (Just ask Sammy Kershaw)
• Bull riding
• DJ Teddy (very popular with the lay-deez)
• Friday night ladies’ night (no cover/no waiting in line)
• Ladies choice on music Friday night (slip the DJ your request and it gets played)
• Coat check, two parking attendants, 11 radio-equipped security guys, six bartenders, and a bathroom attendant in the ladies room  (beat THAT!)
• American fare food and at least 16 beers on tap (that wins my heart)

What I love about the Firwood Roadhouse is that although it’s huge and crazy, it is very un-intimidating.  You don’t have to be the beautiful person.  You can wear whatever you want, act as silly as you want, be as old as you want, and show up with whoever you want.  The Firwood encompasses all demographics, and treats everyone fairly, and with respect.  Hell, with 11 security guys around, who wants to be rude to anyone?

THEATER
Don Juan in Chicago
Prodigal Sun Productions is at it again. The vagabond troupe of thespians in Olympia is presenting the adult comedy Don Juan in Chicago, by David Ives.
The show is about a man suffering in his own sort of hell by actually getting what many men only dream about receiving.

Don Juan wants more time to dedicate to his own pursuits and makes a deal with the devil to do just that. He becomes immortal. The deal with the devil comes at a cost, however, and the man who would become a legendary lover finds himself with the curse of having to sleep with a different woman each day and never sleeping with the same woman twice. That was back in 1599.

Flash forward to modern-day Chicago, and the Don and his earthy servant, Leporello, are weary of the whole deal with their never-ending love fest. They can never have deep relationships with women because they spend too much time and energy finding the next target to seduce to learn much more than their first names.

[The Midnight Sun Performance Space, 8 p.m., $7-$15, 113 N. Columbia St., Olympia, www.buyolympia.com/events]

MORE THEATER: On local stages tonight.

SCOTTISH FOLK
Jim Malcolm
Jim Malcolm was born and raised in Scotland. He plays Scottish music. However, there are no tin whistles, no bagpipes, and he’s not at all like Enya. Armed with an acoustic guitar, he pens his own tunes or reworks classics with the simplicity of an 18th century minstrel. The Scotsman began producing solo work while in the folk group the Old Blind Dogs. After seven years with the Dogs, he struck out on his own in 2006 and has released three discs since his departure. His latest, 2007’s Acquaintance, is about as traditional as you can get as it features 14 songs from the legendary Scottish poet/songwriter Robert Burns. â€" Tony Engelhart

[Traditions Café, 8 p.m., all ages, $10 - $15, 300 Fifth Ave. S.W., Olympia, 360.705.2819]

PSYCHOBILLY
The Meteors
The Meteors are a lot of things, perhaps even more than they claim to be.

While many fans and music journalists have crowned the Meteors, who began their career almost 30 years ago in England, “The Kings of Psychobilly,” the band is slightly more specific. According to www.kingsofpsychobilly.com (the Meteor’s official Web site) the band is also the “original creator of Psychobilly Music,” as well as “the only pure Psychobilly band ever.”

Whether that’s true or not, you’ve got to admire the band’s swagger.

The Meteors are a lot of things, and they have many talents. While most of those talents lie in rock and roll, they’re not too bad at the theatrical side of things either. The Meteors is a band you remember, which is why their show at Hell’s Kitchen should be one of the best this week has to offer. â€" Matt Driscoll

[Hell’s Kitchen, The Meteors, The Kat Killers, the Lucky Devils, Hard Money Saints and Monster Crash, Friday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m., $10, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

MORE MUSIC: In the clubs tonight.

BOBBLE TIKI: HETERODOX, CHAMBERS BAY, LE VOYEUR >>>

THE DAILY WORD
Learn it, use it, spell it

Heterodox \HET-uh-ruh-doks\, adjective:
1. Contrary to or differing from some acknowledged standard, especially in church doctrine or dogma; unorthodox.
2. Holding unorthodox opinions or doctrines.

USAGE EXAMPLE: Bobble Tiki’s religious views are often considered heterodox â€" especially considering he believes Jessica Simpson is his lord and savior.

THE MORNING NEWS

SEATTLE: Spare change change?

TACOMA: Gregoire’s behind Obama

CAMPAIGN ’08: Bush’s backing

SPORTS: U.S. Open at Chambers Bay

HUSTLER OF CULTURE
You can stand atop the mountain and scream your naked desires to the universe or shed that synapse epilepsy and hug the South Sound today with your fellow man:
 
MUSIC: Tonight at www.myspace.com/levoyeur ">Le Voyeur in Olympia, the best little teeny, tiny music venue in town is celebrating their “Le Voyeur Block Party.” Bobble Tiki loves a party, and he loves Le Voyeur even more. Considering the www.myspace.com/theenextdoorneighbors">Nextdoor Neighbors, www.myspace.com/theshroudedstrangers ">The Shrouded Strangers, Miss Massive Snowflake, Elton Bong, and Narwhal vs. Narwhal will be rocking the joint, this show’s a sure bet. Bobble Tiki doesn’t lie.

MORE MUSIC: What’s on tonight
MONEY TALKS: Sound Investment

THREATS AND PROMISES COLUMN
New Orleans born Henry Butler knows a thing or two about change. After building his legendary name tickling piano keys for years in his hometown, crafting a quintessentially New Orleans sound influenced by McCoy Tyner and Professor Longhair, Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Like so many, Butler’s world was forever altered, and change was forced upon him.

Breakfast with Bobble Tiki runs six days a week now. Deal with it.

STEPH DEROSA: HOUSE BLEND THURSDAYS AT MASA >>>

I’m in love with so many different things.  I can hardly keep up.  Last night, I decided to show some of the DeRosa love for Masa’s House Blend Thursdays with this week’s band â€" Handful of Luvin’.

I secured the corner rock star booth with the anticipation that my two best Tacoma people would be joining me: KAke and BanditoBetty.  The hostess was extremely nice, and the service was very hospitable.  As I ordered my first Negro Modelo, I spotted Weekly Volcano lounge lizard Brad Allen mingling with the bartender (probably trying to schmooze some free drinks), as he bellied up to the bar. 

I waited with anticipation for Handful to start.  I was introduced to this band at First Night 2007, and immediately became enamored with their soulful, expressive sound.  I’ve purchased both of their CDs through CD Baby, and have turned the mini-me into a mini-fan by playing the music repeatedly in the car.

From our celebrity booth in the back, KAke and I witness some very clever moves making it’s way on the dance floor.  A girl named Tracy and a few of her friends ripped the room apart with their crafty interpretive/hippie dances.  Legs flailing, high jumps, and invisible hula-hoops were all a part of the ritualistic arrangements.

I offered KAke a solid ten dollar bill to go up there and do the robot, but I think by that point she was too busy warding off Brad Allen in his drunken stupor.  I tried to help by offering Brad to do a stage dive (there was no stage), for one very cool Benjamin.  At which point he pulled out a wad of money stating “Just made my weekly sperm donation.”  Great, that’s all we need, more Brad Allens.  Isn’t the Humane Society already overcrowded?

Eventually Brad left, BanditoBetty showed up, and more Handful was to be had.  This is the point where Courtney, our Masa server, comes over and cleverly says: “Didja finally lose the zero and get with the hero?”  Yes, Courtney, we did.

Instead of a cover charge, the band was taking donations for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, giving me just one more reason to find these guys simply irresistible. After they played every tune my heart craved, a fantastic violin solo within a mini-jam, and some great impromptu Irish-themed drinking bits, it was time for the night end.  I slid out from my booth and slinked my way up front to talk to the guys.  David John, Handful of Luvin’s key singer had no voice!  But, his voice had been right on â€" all night.  How did he do it?

It’s called professionalism, talent, and motivation â€" something this band has built into their hearts.

LINK: Weekly Volcano's Photo Hot Spot for more photos of the night.

J. HENDERSON: INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE >>>

The Red Hot Blues Sisters, representing the South Sound Blues Association from Tacoma, recently turned up the heat with blistering performances at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn.  Suze Simms (vocals), Teri Ann Wilson (guitar), Patrick McDanel (bass), and John Oliver (drums) turned heads Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 inside the New Daisy Theatre during the competition’s semifinal rounds from fans and music industry professionals with their soul-infused, energetic interpretation of the blues. 

Although the band was not chosen to move on to the finals, they were one of only eight bands invited to showcase their music at the “King of the Blues” event held after the IBC. 

They were also featured at the big after hours jam at the “Rum Boogie Café,” where they played with Bob Margolin and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, two of the last surviving members of blues legend Muddy Waters’ band. 

Gary Grape, president of the South Sound Blues Association, expressed his pride in the professionalism the Red Hot Blues Sisters displayed, as they introduced the best of Pacific Northwest blues to the blues community at the national level. 

LINK: South Sound Blues Association

LINK: Red Hot Blues Sisters

BRAD ALLEN: MUSIC ON TOP OF TACOMA >>>

Usually the loudest activity in the Tacoma Club is when Rotary 8 holds its poker or gin rummy games (see last night).

Tonight, jazz and blues will invade this lovely spot, titled Jazzy B's, on top of the Wells Fargo Plaza.

Every Friday night from 8-11pm, the Tacoma Club is transformed into a jazz and blues hot spot.  Josephine Howell & Band perform tonight.

LINK: Tacoma Club

MATT DRISCOLL: IS A REALIST >>>

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and her signature female power pantsuit, made a campaign stop today at the University of Puget Sound Memorial Field House. In a mad rush by both Obama and Clinton on the eve on Washington’s Democratic Caucus, the former first lady was in Tacoma to talk health care, experience, action, and her vision for our country. Obama, on the other hand, shunned Tacoma’s blue collar constituency for rally in Seattle this afternoon.

A large crowd gathered at UPS this morning, heavy with nurses and medical professionals thanks to an endorsement for Clinton by the American Nurses Association, and listened with excitement as their candidate proved once again she may not be the most inspirational speaker in this year’s fight, but she does have the most well thought out and realistic plan for getting America back on track.

Introduced by a trifecta of well known Washington State politicians, Gary Locke, Maria Cantwell and Jay Inslee, Hillary wasted no time hitting on the cornerstones of her campaign.

“Health care is a basic human right. Universal health care,” Clinton said to applause.

“Health care is one of the great purposes of my life. I’m not running to put a band-aid on our problems. I’m running to fix our problems. If Democrats don’t stand for universal health care I don’t think we stand for anything.”

While I didn’t see anyone faint from excitement at Clinton’s rally, as was apparently the case with the Obama rally in Seattle, the fact that Clinton was in Tacoma this morning partaking in a what her campaign called a “Health Care Town Hall” and laying out her exact plans for our country, while Obama was in Seattle wooing a much louder and younger crowd with idealistic promises about a wide array of hot-button topics, only seemed to reaffirm the differences between this year’s Democratic candidates. While it’s hard to deny the excitement and buzz Obama has created with his message of change, he rarely offers firm plans about how this change is to happen. He’s wet behind the ears, after all. Clinton, on the other hand, while far less inspiring, is obviously the candidate with a solid vision and proposed plan of action.

The choice then, is simple. For idealist, Obama is superior. For realist, Hillary is the choice.

Idealism or realism? This Saturday in Washington Democrats get the chance to decide.

LINK: Photography by Tacomamama.com.

THE FESTIVAL
Chinese New Year
Time for New Year's Eve all over again? This time it's the Chinese New Year's Eve, today, the one that ushers in the promise of the year 4706, The Year of the Rat â€" I hope there’s not a stamp associated with it.

The Asia Pacific Cultural Center will celebrate the Rat with an Asian cultural festival Saturday. The event will usher in food, entertainment, information booths and kids’ stuff, all Asian, all day long. â€" Michael Swan

[Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., free, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma, asianpacificculturalcenter.org]

SPORTS
Reflections On Ice
You gotta admire these people. They squeeze themselves into skin-tight spandex jumpsuits and dance onto the ice in front of thousands of people â€" the women unconcerned about their thighs, the men fearless of shrinkage â€" often accompanied by terrible show tunes and Cher remixes, all for the limelight. The 10th annual ice show, “Reflections on Ice â€" Magical Memories” offers 100 local skaters and guest performer Jozef Sabovcik going in circles for two days. â€" Suzy Stump

[Sprinker Recreation Center, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10 2 p.m., $12-$18, 14824 S. C St., Spanaway, 253.798.4000]

THEATER
The Vagina Monologues
Vagina, vagina, vagina. You may as well start getting used to “the V word” if you’re planning on attending V-Day 2008: The Vagina Monologues. Eve Ensler’s production â€" part humorous, part haunting â€" is based on hundreds of interviews of women emotionally and physically abused. Every year in February, productions of Ensler’s show are staged around the nation and in almost 100 countries to recognize V-Day, an organization drawing attention to violence and abuse of women. This year V-Day is 10 years old. In Tacoma, women volunteers from Pierce County star in Saturday’s product, which will benefit services for victims of domestic violence in Pierce County. â€" Suzy Stump

[Pantages Theater, 7:30 p.m., $20-$40, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890, www.broadwaycenter.org]

MORE THEATER: On local stages today.

ROCK
Thunderstruck
Since AC/DC’s latest album, Stiff Upper Lip, in 2000, there has been a void in many hardcore fans lives. If you’re one of these devotee’s to Australia’s most famous export who yearns for a live AC/DC show, tribute band Thunderstruck is a worthy substitute. The Canadian quintet mixes it up between the Scott-era and the Johnson-era to deliver a complete AC/DC package. With an awesome show that includes pyrotechnics, exploding cannons, classic stage antics and more volume than most can stand, for those about to rock â€" it’s close to the real thing. â€" Toney Engelhart

[Club Vertigo, 7 p.m., $10, 5240 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.678.3593]

MORE MUSIC: In the clubs tonight.