BRAD ALLEN: PAPPI SWARNER'S JUKEBOX >>>

It's Friday afternoon at the Weekly Volcano World Headquarter, which means our leader Pappi Swarner closes his office door and cranks his '70s Jukebox. He's pumped tonight as it's his annual post Thanksgiving poker night with high junior high buddies. That's right, Pappi has been playing poker with the same clowns since the '70s.

Today, we're listening to "No Sugar Tonight" by The Guess Who." Enjoy.

TONY ENGELHART: POSSIBLY A BIT TOO WEIRD FOR YOU >>>

This band’s YouTube performances blew me away. Now there’s a unique sound. However, excepting hardcore world music aficionados, The Karelian Folk Music Ensemble might be a bit too weird for even the most astute music fan. The trio comes from Petrozavodsk, in the Russian Republic of Karelia that borders Finland â€" which is why they mix traditional Finnish and Russian music using instruments that are centuries old. While I was aware what instruments like a diatonic flute and a goat horn were, I had never heard of a kanteles (Finnish-Karelian harp) or jouhikko (Karelian bowed lyre) â€" and I was totally stunned by their beautiful sound. Of course they also play such recognizable instruments as accordion, mandolin and bagpipes. Singing ancient Russian village songs as well as Finnish hymns, the trio’s three voices take the listener back to in time with true authenticity.

Tonight, the Karelian Folk Music Ensemble will play Traditions Cafe in Olympia.

[Traditions Café, 8 p.m., $8-$12,300 Fifth Ave. S.W., Olympia, 360.705.2819]

MATT DRISCOLL: "IT" AND "BRILLIANT" >>>

Who doesn’t like penguins? They’re by far the cutest artic bird I can think of off the top of my head, and besides â€" watching them waddle their way into the water just never gets old to me â€" but then again I smoke a lot of weed. Anyway, besides being named after the cutest of artic birds, Seattle's the Little Penguins have a lot more going for them. Created and led by former Turn-Ons drummer Will Hallauer, the Little Penguins â€" with their sound alone â€" have managed to cause considerable buzz in only a short period of time. They’ve been called everything from
Seattle’s next “it band” to “brilliant” and “melancholy.” S***, a quick check of the band’s MySpace page reveals I’ve even written: “The Little Penguins are an indie delight, pure and simple … that dreamy, easy Sunday afternoon car-ride sound that so many indie acts strive for and so many car commercials pay money for.” I still believe it.

Tonight, the Little Penguins will play Bob's Java Jive in Tacoma.

[Bob’s Java Jive, with Variety Hour, Electrolux and DJ Sammy Swell, 8 p.m., $5, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

JENNIFER JOHNSON: TONIGHT AT JAZZBONES >>>

In mid 2007 bass player Vinny Beatty talked about his newest project after the demise of Never Quiet Never Still, Beatty's former band that did really well in the Northwest. He said that he was getting some guys together to do some new stuff. This passing comment was followed by another, months later, when Beatty nonchalantly stated Twilight Drive, his newly formed band, was going to be "sorta indie rock, pop, grunge, with a lot of energy. But better."

The band celebrates one year together tonight, headlining a show at Jazzbones. Twilight Drive assuredly has achieved that "better" Beatty spoke of. As a band, they've selected parts, bits and elements from many music genres spanning many years, melded them together, fine-tuned it and are now delivering one hell of an honest, non-contrived, and yet-to-be-named sound of their own.

Go ahead. See if you can put a label on their sound. To my ears, tracks available on the band's MySpace page like "Heart of Arms" pleasantly bring Modest Mouse to mind. "Her Father's Son" is reminiscent of early Stone Temple Pilots prior to Scott Weiland's smeared lipstick and dress wearing days. "Last Words" has a little Radiohead undercurrent.

Music is a decidedly personal experience. Each person derives completely individualized experiences from listening to the very same thing. Twilight Drive's full-on sound is smooth. From the writing and front man Patrick Smyth's accomplished vocal delivery to the overall musicianship, this band is a fine wine. With each live performance they gain more confidence, showing increased improvement and ease on stage, with each other and the audience. The band has also been working on combining projected images as visual background for their music with great success.

Sharing the bill at Jazzbones with Twilight Drive will be the highly eclectic duo Swampy Draws and hip-hop group Nasty Left. Swampy Draws has emerged as what appears to be the comedic alter ego of  Tacoma  musician Sean "Beauford" Nivens. He's joined by drummer/percussionist Mud Butt Mysterioso for a rousing, dirty-mouthed, hilarious and fiercely entertaining live show complete with stage backdrop painted like the front porch of a shack in a Southern state. The duo performs gritty  style  blues that makes fun of pop stars and loves to "get sloppy on the "shine" all in overalls sans undershirts with tattoos blazing and a big ol' gold gangsta grill in Swampy's mouth.

[Jazzbones Tacoma, Saturday, Nov. 29, 8 p.m., $7, 2803 Sixth Ave, Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

LAUREN NAPIER: FACES WILL MELT TONIGHT >>>

According to Peter Ellis, the bass player of Sight vs. Sound, they “melt faces.” And you would be wise to not take such statements lightly. With their musical identity stemming from influences like Jimmy Eat World, Saves the Day, the Rocket Summer, Taking Back Sunday, and other mainstream pop-rock favorites, the tunes Sight vs. Sound produce are pleasing to the ear and friendly to the psyche. When listening to the tracks, there’s definitely a huge undercurrent of the Rocket Summer â€" just minus the confetti. Countering the current scene trends of aesthetic values taking precedence over melodic qualities, the band is focused not on their image but on their musical creations. The four guys in Sight vs. Sound are not new to being on stage, but their goal while playing live is to get “more comfortable and be as energetic as possible.” If you go to their show tonight at the Viaduct, just don’t get too comfortable, and make sure you leave with your face intact.

[The Viaduct, with I Am The Enemy, Endeaverance, Span The Circuit and Brandon P, 7 p.m., all ages, $8,5412 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.472.1948]

Photo courtesy of Myspace and Steven Lindquist

BOBBLE TIKI: THIS WOODY IS FOR HELL'S BELLES >>>

Tonight at Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma, Hell's Belles, the world's premier all female AC/DC tribute band, will do what they do best - get the crowd frothing with excitement for Aussie rock and roll. Even better, they'll do it twice - playing an all ages show and a 21+ engagement - and the shows will only be a precursor to AC/DC's stop at the Tacoma Dome tomorrow.

It simply doesn't get much more exciting. To read Bobble Tiki's full column on the subject in this week's issue of the Weekly Volcano, click here.

SUZY STUMP: AC/DC PRE-FUNC >>>

There will be a pre-function lectures at Tacoma Dome District venues before Sunday’s AC/DC concert. Scheduled to speak will be your drink. Pay attention to your drink. Your drink can open up new opportunities for you.

The two spots I know where your drink will be lecturing are:

I heard your drink might be lecturing at other Tacoma spots tomorrow. Do you know where?