Weekly Volcano

Three guarantee tonight

By weeklyvolcano on September 20, 2008

THREE AMIGOS: LIVER THAN YOU’LL EVER BE >>>

Berkeleyheights918 9 Pound Hammer
A better band title for 9 Pound Hammer might have been When Happy Rock Attacks. This acoustic rock trio from Tacoma, led by guitarist Dan Lafferty, dances around vaudeville but with one foot cemented in Dickey Betts’ driveway. The songs are tongue-in-cheek â€" many Tacoma-centered in context; Gregg Allman in style. Get hammered at The Hub, Hoochie Coochie Man. â€" Ron Swarner
[The Hub, Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 p.m., 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606]   


Berkeley Heights
Brothers Chris and Cody Groom â€" who collectively make up the two-piece band Berkeley Heights â€" will be at Le Voyeur in Olympia tonight. According to the band’s Web site, “If you are afraid of pop music the band might not be for you, but don’t be surprised if you catch yourself humming along.”

Sounds to me like a challenge, and if Berkeley Heights’ musical meanderings are any indication (or at least the meanderings available at www.berkeleyheightsmusic.com), it’s a challenge you’re likely to lose. Based on time-tested songwriting aesthetics from yesteryear and the instruments and computer enhancements of today, Berkeley Heights â€" for all the brothers Groom’s pop leanings and candy flavored choruses â€" are skilled at what they do. â€" Matt Driscoll
[Le Voyeur, with The Freehands and Bacon Moon, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]


Albino!
Bobble Tiki used to kick off his parties with the late Afrobeat great Fela Kuti heckling African dictators with epic jams that bridged the lithe, sweat-stained funk of James Brown and the heavily percussive strains of his native Yoruba folk music. Today, Bobble Tiki pumps up the volume with funk-fueled juggernauts Albino! who’ve adapted Kuti-inspired Afrobeat for 21st-century America.  Bobble Tiki finds comfort in Albino!’s desire to hug its audience. Community! â€" Bobble Tiki
[The Eastside Tavern, 10 p.m., $6, 410 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.357.9985]

LINK: Mom’s Rocket rocks Hell’s Kitchen tonight
LINK: Live music and DJs tonight