MATT DRISCOLL: BACK IN ACTION >>>

There’s nothing quite like going on vacation. There’s also nothing quite like coming back from vacation only to see your inbox crammed with messages and your schedule just as full. With Bumbershoot going down this weekend, and a press pass in my name, this is the situation I find myself in.

Tough draw, I know.

That, of course, is sarcasm. I’ve driven a forklift for a living, and you’d better believe I’ll take a weekend of blogging Bumbershoot any day over broken pallets, the smell of diesel dust and turning rear wheels. Covering Bumbershoot for the Weekly Volcano is a pretty cool job, but just like the shitty ones â€" someone’s got to do it. That someone is me, and along with (perhaps) some occasional help from Brad Allen and Co â€" who will probably be keeping it real in the beer garden - the Weekly Volcano will be your South Sound eye on all the action at Bumbershoot this weekend.

For all you die hard Gritsters out there who love a good local bent, I’ll be keeping a special eye on Tacoma’s local talent preparing to let loose at Seattle’s biggest music festival, like Vicci Martinez, Mono in VCF, and even Neko Case â€" to name but a few.

In all, it should be good times. If there’s one thing I love it’s a good music festival. If there are two things I love it’s a good music festival and getting paid to check it out. If there are three things I love it’s a good music festival, getting paid to cover it, and shotgunning beers with Brad Allen before bloodying myself at a Monotonix show.

At Bumbershoot this year, all three seem likely. 

(Photo credit: Christopher Nelson)