NATASHA GORBACHEV: ELUDING FAME SINCE 1984 >>>

I currently have an event that’s glistening on my calendar like the gloss on my lips, and I hope that you’ll add this gig to your own social agenda:

Girl Trouble’s 25th Anniversary “Eluding Fame Since 1984” party at 9 p.m., March 13 at The New Frontier Lounge.

Recently when I was down in Olympia checking out the scene with Tranna Montana, I saw a poster announcing a rock show that Girl Trouble played in Oly.

I pointed Tranna to the poster saying that Girl Trouble was one of my favorite bands, and she asked me to explain why.

I then offered some words that I’ve never uttered before.

While smiling ear-to-ear, I said, “Girl Trouble is such a fun band, and one of my favorite parts of their show is when the lead singer, K.P. rips his shirt off and plays the tambourine on or rubs his big and beautiful belly.”

Tranna was immediately interested, and you should be, too.

I’ve seen Girl Trouble play at places including Sanford and Son and Hell’s Kitchen, but no matter what, I never get sick of this band, their four-car garage rock and roll music, K.P.’s antics, and yes, I have to mention one more time, his beautiful belly.

So after 25 years of eluding fame, what should you expect out of Girl Trouble on March 13?

Naturally, the very best.

I’m tickled pink that they’ve decided to do their 25th anniversary in Tacoma. Girl Trouble is the only band playing (they wouldn't have been able to choose from the many bands they would want to play with). The tentative schedule is Girl Trouble doing three sets (including playing the songs from way back in 1984 and lots of Cramps covers). This event will also be home to a video montage of Girl Trouble’s old photos in between sets (their pics on MySpace will also bring a smile to your face) and the host for the evening will be Teen Time's Stu Michaels.

Girl Trouble is a Tacoma requirement. Also, when I think of Girl Trouble, I reflect on how much their band members and we all miss our friend and legend, Pat Bostwick. I’m guessing that during this anniversary party, special shout-outs, songs and images will be dedicated to Pat, which will help to fill the void in all of our hearts.

In conclusion, I have to give you one more piece of information about this March 13 show that will make it all the more irresistible: It’s FREE, and I can’t wait to rock it with each and every one of you there.

Happy birthday, Girl Trouble, we love you!

[New Frontier Lounge, Friday, March 13, 9 p.m., free, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

P.S. Pick up the Weekly Volcano tomorrow and read Matt Driscoll’s interview with the band

MICHAEL SWAN: OUR HUMBLE BEGINNING >>>

Take it from the new guy in town, there's something in the water in Tacoma. Maybe it's that first glassful of orange-rust funk that gives our downtown buildings their charm, or maybe it's the ubiquitous hydration substitute, coffee, but our gritty little region rocks. We rock it good.

This week we present of our first annual Music Issue. As with all of our special issues, we humbly offer up a few servings of tasty tidbits that we hope will help broaden your tastes â€" in this case, your musical ones:

Don’t Tell Sophie
SOTA products head to SXSW ... in a Kia by Matt Driscoll

Looking back
Girl Trouble celebrates 25 years of eluding fame by Matt Driscoll

Fly like an eagle
Vicci Martinez celebrates the release of From the Outside In Friday at Jazzbones by Paul Schrag

Tag team
The Ventures and The Fabulous Wailers combine rock ‘n’ roll power by Bobble Tiki

Another rockin’ all-ages column by Lauren Napier

Plus music previews by Tony Engelhart, Chuck Dula, Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. and Lauren Napier in the print version of the Weekly Volcano. Pick one up and plan your weekend.

Oh, and Jose offers another Live From I-5: Hip-hop in the 23560 column here.

Even Natasha gave here two cents on Girl Trouble's 25th anniversary here.

Special thanks goes out to Jason Ganwich for photographing our cover of Girl Trouble facing off with Don’t Tell Sophie. It’s brilliant. Thanks Jason.

Thanks for all of your support and we hope to see you rocking in the free world (or in the South Puget Sound, at least).

ANNOUNCER: DROOLING ON THE DISPLAY CASES >>>

Hello and welcome to the tale, a magical place where all are welcome and the staff aim to put a smile on your face. Where whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner â€" whatever you order, you’ll be a winner. Say you want to get up, try their delightful array of coffee and teas today. Say you want to get down, sample a wine or a micro brew and erase that frown. Not ready for your date to end, Mandolin Café could start a new trend â€" dessert for your chops instead of shots at last call. Live music, free wi-fi and pie, can be had by all.

Read Jake and Jason de Paul's review of the Mandolin Cafe on the Weekly Volcano Web site.

Photo: J.M. Simpson

KEN SWARNER: OODLES OF NOODLES >>>

I stopped in Hallmark the other day, but after a fruitless search, I couldn’t find a card to send my favorite chef for National Noodle Month.

I believe the noodle deserves a month of celebration. Where would I be without the noodle (no pun intended, sicko).

Most foodies know that noodles originated in the Far East, not Italy. In fact, during an excavation along the Yellow River in Qinghai, China a few years ago, researchers found a 4,000-year-old noodle made from foxtail millet and broomcorn millet â€" the oldest noodle found to date. The discovery proves that noodles are timeless. They satiate. They are fun to slurp. and they are located in the South Puget Sound. Read my noodle discoveries on the Weekly Volcano Web site.

PAUL SCHRAG: CITY OF TACOMA IS GOING JOHNNY APPLESEED ON OUR ASSES >>>

City of Tacoma is set to get all gung-ho on going green. I mean really green. Like tree green. City officials in charge of Tacoma’s Urban Forestry program recently presented to Tacoma’s Environment and Public Works Committee a comprehensive set of policy guidelines that would make it easier for citizens and others to plant and manage trees along Tacoma’s crumbling streets, and elsewhere.

Aside from being pretty, trees provide a host of benefits for the cities in which they grow. Trees literally clean the air by absorbing air pollutants and releasing oxygen. They reduce storm water runoff and erosion; they temper climate; they can save energy; they create wild life habitat; they can improve health, serve as screens, and strengthen community. They can even help contribute to a community’s economy and way of life.

Read the rest of my report of the Weekly Volcano Web site.

MATT DRISCOLL: HAD TOO MUCH TO THINK LAST NIGHT >>>

Sometimes, even with the best intentions in mind, lawmakers get it wrong.

An example of this can be found in a law, slated to go into effect in December, that’s currently wreaking havoc on local music venues around Tacoma. In the aftermath of the Great White disaster of 2003, when second rate pyrotechnics mixed with flammable insulation and killed 100 people in a small nightclub in Rhode Island â€" lawmakers from states near and far, including Washington â€" began a quest to prevent such a devastating event from happening again.

The result, at least in our state, is the nightclub fire sprinkler law, passed in 2007.

It's the subject of this week's Volcano editorial. Click here to check it out.

LAUREN NAPIER: AT THE NEW FRONTIER TONIGHT >>>

A folk band that never set out to write folk music. A solo act whose chosen nomenclature comes from the simplicity of his birth certificate. The first week of March is heralding a show of enchantment to the New Frontier. Barton Carroll, in his own words, is mostly influenced by “Bruce Springsteen, Richard Thompson, Aleksander Solzhenitsyn and Martin Amis,” but writing his own songs is like getting “blood from a stone,” according to the Seattle-based performer. It’s hard for the singer/songwriter to choose a favorite song, but he equally “resents them all for ruining (his) life.” The Cave Singers, formed from the remnants of Pretty Girls Make Graves, are hypnotizing in their musical creations. This will be a night of “nonstop, scorching folk,” according to Carroll. Make an appearance and get burned.

[The New Frontier, with the Cave Singers, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

STEPH DEROSA: BAR EXAM >>>

What started out in 1912 as the Opal Saloon, hosting a brothel above its landmark South Tacoma Way residence currently represents what is Tacoma’s oldest bar. Well, kinda. Technically it is the oldest bar that started out as a bar, and still currently runs as a bar. Now when I say “technically” it means “from what Opal Lounge bartender Patty told me.” And that pretty much is like quoting the dictionary, right?

Discover the Opal's history and its interesting bar menu at the Weekly Volcano Web site.