MATT DRISCOLL: GUTTERMOUTH TONIGHT AT HELL'S KITCHEN >>>

You can count on Hell’s Kitchen for a lot of things. There’s usually at least a hint of vomit on the men’s room floor, the drinks are always potent, and Hell’s Kitchen headman Flash (booking agent extraordinaire) has a keen way of putting together some of the best punk rock bills you’ll find throughout the Northwest â€" not just Tacoma. It’s really not all that surprising, when you consider the man’s Portrait of Poverty past. It’s probably a lot easier to book big time players in the underground world of punk when, in fact, you too are a big time player in the underground world of punk. If you’re looking for an example of Flash’s punk rock booking prowess, look no further than tonight’s show when Orange County, Calif., foul mouths and three-chord legends Guttermouth take the stage along with Seattle’s the Insurgence, Bellingham’s Serious Black and local Tacoma boys South 11th. In a weekend full of intriguing live music options, this show is the punk lover’s prize. There’s a reason Guttermouth has survived 20 years, released nine full length records and toured the world over: It’s because they’re good at what they do. The over-the-top offensive lyrics and on-stage rants don’t hurt either.

[Hell’s Kitchen, with Serious Black, the Insurgence, South 11th, 9 p.m., $12, 3829 Sixth Ave, Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

TONY ENGELHART: JAZZARTS GUITAR SUMMIT IN OLYMPIA >>>

Jazz is still an acquired taste, but to true jazz aficionados it’s the only music that matters. With complex arrangements coupled with a freestyle undercurrent, jazz transcends space and time unlike any other genre. You’re never sure where it will take you or when it will end; it is truly a living organism unto itself with an unknown lifespan and limitless possibilities. This Friday, three of the greatest jazz guitarists to come out of the Northwest will share the stage at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center in Olympia. Larry Coryell, Pablo Menéndez and John Stowell each have their own unique style but share a common trait; they are all brilliant.

With a few dozen albums dating back to 1967, Larry Coryell is considered by many to be the pioneer of jazz rock. His eceletic style encompasses, but is not limited to, blues-laden jazz with heavy distortion to smooth, sensitive and intricate acoustic pieces. Although he is an incomparable solo artist in his own right, he began by making records with other established artists such as the great Charlie Mingus, Sonny Rollins and Stephane Grappelli in the 1970s. The Seattle-based guitarist has never become complacent in his work and has always been experimental â€" which has left his fans surprised and elated at the same time.

With a unique mix of Afro and Cuban rhythms in a jazz format, Pablo Menéndez has brought a new spin to contempory American jazz. Born in Oakland, Calif., he relocated to Cuba in the early 1960s to study music. By 1970 Menéndez was a part of the influential Grupo de Experimentación Sonora del â€" which was best known for mixing Cuban styles with North American, Brazilian and classical. In 1985 he founded Mezcla â€" the world renowned Afro-Cuban jazz sextet. With a soft touch, Pablo Menéndez is not an overbearing guitarist. His tones are rich, and his arrangements are flawlessly executed.

John Stowell can be easily identified from the back row simply based on the way he holds his guitar â€" cradling the fret board very close to his face. Stowell began a successful career in the early 1970s and has performed worldwide and released several critically acclaimed recordings. The Portland-based performer/composer/teacher is best known for his acoustic work, but is equally as effective playing his custom Soloway electric guitar. Consistently pushing the boundaries, Stowell is an ever-evolving musician.

All three will be in Olympia tonight at the Minnaert. If you’re a lover of jazz â€" there’s plenty to love about this show. Consider it three great tastes that taste great together.

[Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, Larry Coryell, John Stowell, Pablo Menendez, Friday. Jan. 23, 8 p.m., $20-$35, 2011 Mottman Road S.W., Olympia, 360.596.5501]

MATT DRISCOLL: HE'S GOT A PONYTAIL, BUT PROBABLY NO SUBARU >>>

Leave it to a guy with a pony tail, an acoustic guitar and (I assume) a large collection of well worn John Denver records to preach the ills of 9 to 5 doldrums, materialistic desires and wearing shoes. OK, OK. I made the shoe wearing part up. To the best of my knowledge, Kurt Prond has nothing against wearing shoes â€" though he certainly looks and sounds the part of a guy who’d go over well with the co-op shopping, off-the-grid minds I came to know and love while spending time in Olympia. He’s like James Taylor with a Subaru or two Paul Simons stacked on top of one another slowly strumming songs about why it sucks to have a job. OK, OK. I don’t know if Prond has a Subaru, either. But the rest of that was true.

Tonight, Prond will take the stage at the Mandolin Cafe. Tomorrow he'll grace the stage at the New Frontier.

[Mandolin Café, Saturday, Jan. 24, 8 p.m., no cover, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma, 253.761.3482]
[The New Frontier Lounge, Sunday, Jan. 25, 9 p.m., 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

BOBBLE TIKI: CONFOUND IT >>>

There are signs Bobble Tiki may be getting old â€" although he likes to attribute them to things like global warming and international terrorism. Gray hairs pop up in odd places; Bobble Tiki spends as much time peeing as he does drinking beer; hangovers last at least 48 hours; and Bobble Tiki hasn't liked any new music since the late-70s.

Bobble Tiki, however, is not as old as the South Carolina Legislature. This nanny-government body has a bill on its floor that will make the use of profanity a criminal offense in their state. Apparently, it's all about the kids, you know, and protecting their so-called innocence.

It's true. The honest, hard-working, sexually terrified South Carolina elected officials are running around their offices with their hands to their heads, each thinking oh my freaking Jefferson Davis what if our beautiful wee one just so happens to walk by Homeless Hank on their way to Opie's Corner Store & Loans for a refreshing 36 ounces of Pepsi to wash down their kiddie Prozac, and they just so happen to hear Homeless Hank call his imaginary friend a shitdamnfuckface! Surely, their heads would explode.

Seriously? Seriously.

These elected officials need to quite wasting time and spend more time making sure their kids don't grow up to be serial killers or, worse, Christian conservatives.

MATT DRISCOLL: TEN YEARS OF FAKE BLOOD >>>

Tonight, Jan. 24, Tacoma’s beloved metal-huffing, Satan-spooning hellions â€" the Church of Hate â€" will celebrate the band’s 10-year anniversary with a blood soaked show at Hell’s Kitchen.

To read my full article on the show, including an interview with the band, click here.

MICHAEL SWAN: THE PLACE TO BE >>>

Kulture Lab â€" a mixture of edgy art, fashionable people, music and edible art â€" is back tonight at The Warehouse in downtown Tacoma. Read about it here and here. Check out this video of the last Kulture Lab party.

LINK: South Sound live music and DJs tonight

STEPH DEROSA: SLOW BURN >>>

Galanga Thai Cuisine
Drunken Noodles with Chicken
Price: $8.95
Burn Factor: Three and a half out of four

The fiery food possibilities are endless when it comes to Thai food.  I was Peter Rabbit in McGregor’s garden as my friends and I perused the menu at Galanga Thai on Broadway. One, two, three, or four stars?  How hot is four stars, really?  It takes a lover of all things heat to go for the gold, to go for the fourth star.  That lover was not me.

I went for the Drunken Noodles with Chicken, three star heat.  Wide Rice noodles mixed with fresh basil, tomato, onion, carrot, bell peppers, egg, chicken, and of course â€" chilies.  Eaten immediately upon arrival as the dish is still warm, these spicy red chilies exploded like a piñata in my mouth, dancing all the way through lunch.

For someone who has a tolerance to handle things pretty hot, I was certainly glad I had stayed away from the ultra-hot, four-star chili rating.  Three stars was enough to burn my nose and tingle my throat completely, leaving me utterly content.  As my body sweated just slightly, and my server refilled my water quite frequently, I couldn’t thank Galanga and their cooks enough for this all-around faultless mid-day meal.

[Galanga Thai Cuisine, 1129 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.272.3393]

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

RON SWARNER: SAVE THE DATE >>>