MICHAEL SWAN: DUDE SOUNDS LIKE HE'S HURTING  >>>

Live Nation reports:

BOBBLE TIKI: BE A STAR BUT STAY OUT OF BOBBLE TIKI'S WAY >>>

Several things have occurred to Bobble Tiki since he stopped watching television:

1. Bobble Tiki still sees the Brady Bunch when he closes his eyes.
2. Poor Gilligan was kept down by the man.
3. Rosie O'Donnell killed Bobble Tiki’s Betty Rubble fantasy. (Mostly)
4. Everything useful Bobble Tiki knows he learned from watching cartoons.

Bobble Tiki is here to tell you, tuning out can be a real eye opener. If he hadn't stopped paying his cable bill Bobble Tiki never would have known.

However, Bobble Tiki will come clean and tell you he’s always wanted to be on TV. Bobble Tiki thinks he’s got what it takes.

Bobble Tiki will prove it Sunday at Bob’s Java Jive.

Justin Peterson and Dave Graham will be shooting a TV commercial for Bob's Java Jive Sunday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. Those interested in being an extra should show up and represent.

Warning: Don’t be trying to step in front of Bobble Tiki when the light goes on. Bobble Tiki has springs!

MICHAEL SWAN: TODAY’S HAPPY HOUR DISCUSSION TOPIC >>>

Today’s Happy Hour Suggestion:

Famous Dave’s BBQ
1901 S. 72nd St., Tacoma, 253.722.0500
Happy Hour: 3-6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to closing daily
Drinks Specials: $3 22 ounce domestic beer pints, plus today's happy hour special: $5.50 Sweet Mama's Punch.
Food Specials: Half price on select appetizers

LINK: South Sound happy hours

RON SWARNER: MUSIC AND ART IN WRIGHT PARK PRIMER >>>

Tomorrow, Music and Art in Wright Park 2009, which began in 1993 as Music in the Park, returns to Tacoma â€" showcasing some of the best bands in the area, including Guns & Rossetti, Girl Trouble, Post Stardom Depression, Broken Oars, The Plastards, James Hilborne and the Painkillers, Zeke, C.F.A., Zook, Stone Axe, Starstruck, Tarek Wegner, Tallest Tree, The Coloffs, NeutralBoy, and Mico De Noche. Tomorrow's outdoor concert at Wright Park will be free.

As a sponsor of Music and Art in Wright Park, the Weekly Volcano has highlighted a band or two every day until tomorrow's show, which will run noon to 8 p.m.

“Sure, I could tell you about Zeke’s relentlessly high octane live show, and offer my own two cents on why they’re so good â€" but who would really care?” Matt Driscoll wrote in the Weekly Volcano in December 2003. “Sure, I could point out Zeke’s unique mix of metal and punk, interbred and homogenized at breakneck speeds, creating a crazed and frothing noise that’s both beautiful and revolting â€" but why? You already know about it.”

You should know all about this band. They released their first single, "West Seattle Acid Party," in 1993, the same year Music in the Park was born in Wright Park. They have dropped more than 12 albums and countless compilations.

Zeke is one of the fastest punk bands you will ever hear. With their love of Sabbath and KISS prominently worn on their sleeves and playing at a breakneck clip, Zeke is hard to classify. Instead, here’s a taste of the musical stylings of Zeke:

LINK: This week's Music and Art in Wright Park 2009 Weekly Volcano cover story.

SUZY STUMP: OSCILLATOR X HITS TACOMA TOMORROW NIGHT >>>

Just in time for the recession, decadence is back: at least musically in Tacoma tomorrow night at The Robert Daniel Galley.

Iâ��m talking late â��80s Euro-dance parties â�" the final days of the Me Decade. When Aqua and Real McCoy came onto the scene. The final days before the communally minded DJs of the â��90s, who slumped anonymously behind a gaggle of ravers, cranking whatever bassline would deliver the crowd into throbbing bliss while wearing nothing but fluorescent tape on their nipples or sporting an expensive haircuts that made them look like stylish mental patients.

I�m talking about the days when the audience actually watched the artists while sampled Soft Cell.

Tomorrow night Robert Stoker and Angela Jossy are throwing a party that will transport me back to the late â��80s, bringing out my Eurotrash Girl. Their Electro-Pop Art Party will combine the Pop Art movement â�" a la Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Roy Lichtenstein â�" albeit interpreted through the minds of local talent, with the energetic, poppy electronica of Portlandâ��s Oscillator X, who come fresh from their concert in Europe at the Arcade Dance International Championships in Amsterdam with their customized light show and air-powered confetti launchers in tow.

I caught up with Jossy for the scoop on tomorrow night�s happening.

SUZY STUMP: Why an Electro-Pop Art Party?

ANGELA JOSSY: I think pop music and pop art make nice bedfellows; plus electro-pop music is all the rage these days. The party will be electro-decadent with electro-drinks, electro-dancing and lots of electro-love. Be prepared for a very intense light show coming from two different stages while being bombarded (in a good way) by electro-beats.

STUMP: Sounds electro-fying.

JOSSY: Plus Deborah Page. She�s a last minute addition.

STUMP: Electro-alternative-atmospheric-folk!

JOSSY: She�s a local treasure. And it�s not very often you get to see a national act like Oscillator X in such an intimate environment for such a low price. Their song �Dynamo� is a recognized hit across the globe. These guys are total pros when it comes to entertainment. They have a computer synchronized light show, costumes, block-rockin' beats and even air powered confetti launchers. The last time I saw a show this well orchestrated was when I saw Polyphonic Spree at the Showbox. I am so excited to see this show.

STUMP: Tell me about the art.

JOSSY: The art in this show will be modern but have pop art influences. Local artists Cara Jennings, Desiree "DTA" Flerchinger, Brett Carlson and Juliette Ricci and others will show. I also heard that Thorax O'Tool might be showing as well.

STUMP: Can I expect to get my Warhol on tomorrow night?

JOSSY: Anything goes at these art parties. I'd suggest clothes that you feel comfortable dancing in because even if you aren't normally a person who dances, you might not be able to resist this music. I'd like to see people decked out in full Studio 54, Andy Warhol funkified garb with sequins, feathers and faux fur but I don't want anyone to feel they can't come because they don't have an outfit. Basically the best rule of thumb for parties like this is wear something that expresses your individuality and makes you feel like your best, most shimmery, glamorous and beautiful self â�" or jeans and a T-shirt. Itâ��s all good.

[The Robert Daniel Gallery, Electro-Pop Art Party, Saturday, Aug. 15, 8 p.m., $10 at Brown Paper Tickets, $12 door, 2501 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma]

MICHAEL SWAN: SATURDAY, AUG. 15, 2009 >>>

1. Shakabrah Java will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ passing with drink specials, an Elvis themed menu, Elvis movies and plenty of Elvis music at 7 p.m.

2. Barbara McQueen will be at Miki Spa Salon in Tacoma from 2-6 p.m. to sign her book, Steve McQueen: The Last Mile, and display a few rare photographs of her late husband.

3. Artist Judy Gilbert will channel 300 AD Egypt via her encaustic paintings in a lively reception featuring a surprise musical guest, free body painting and tea from 7-10 p.m. at the Mad Hat Tea Company.

4. Local Pop Art-inspired creations and the infectious dance grooves of Oscillator X plus your fabulous self will make up the Electro-Pop Art Party at The Robert Daniel Gallery beginning at 8 p.m.

5. Local country star Jonathan Harris will perform at 8 p.m. at the Tacoma Sportsman's Club at 16409 Canyon Road E. in Puyallup.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: THE FUCKING EAGLES AND JAMES HILBORNE AND THE PAINKILLERS POST MUSIC AND ART IN WRIGHT PARK SHOWS >>>

So you’ve spent the whole day down at Wright Park listening to hours and hours of Tacoma’s finest music, and now your brain and face and neck are scorched by the (hopefully) bright and gorgeous festival sun.

Whatcha gonna do now?

Reader, hit the after parties.

Hell’s Kitchen will be hosting a resolutely kick-ass collection of Tacoma rock ‘n’ roll. The Fucking Eagles, Blanco Bronco, Destruction Island, The Kings, and The Electrolytes will band together to ensure a loud and sweaty night to follow the hot and sweaty day.

After James Hilborne and the Painkillers perform at Music and Art in Wright Park they'll head down the street for an after party performance at Doyle's Public House with Check Please.

It’s the only right way to end what will assuredly be an epic day for Tacoma music.

[Hell’s Kitchen, The Fucking Eagles, Blanco Bronco, Destruction Island, The Kings, The Electrolytes, Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

[Doyle's Public House, James Hilborne and the Painkillers, Check Please, Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 p.m., no cover, 208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

MATT DRISCOLL: DAVID MCULLOUGH DOESN'T KNOW 1776 >>>

Maybe there was just more important stuff to do back in the day? For instance, 1776 â€" the year. The Declaration of Independence was signed, the American Revolution was in full swing, Thomas Paine published Common Sense and, basically, our country was born.

Compare this to, say, 1997 â€" perhaps known best for The Spice Girls. There’s really no comparison.

Now, take 1776 â€" the band, which will hit Bob’s Java Jive tonight. A skinny, rock stained, American flag draped foursome from Portland, here’s a group of dudes that looks like they haven’t slept in a week touting a sound that’s as much Buffalo Springfield as it is the MC5 â€" at least according to the band bio.

Personally, I hear way more Wayne Kramer than Neil Young, but maybe that’s just me.

While there might not be much that’s revolutionary about these psych rockers, they still pack way more punch than 1997.

[Bob’s Java Jive, with the Hugs, The Drug Purse, Night Beats, Saturday, Aug. 15, 8 p.m., 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

MATT DRISCOLL: KASHMIR ON A DECK >>>

Terry Mriglot was one of the first people I met through the Tacoma music scene â€" way back in, geez, I can’t even remember. Suffice to say, it was a long time ago. I think there was mud wrestling at Neener’s involved, but memories are hazy.

Back then, Mriglot fronted Drunk As Usual â€" not to mention No Quarter â€" a well-known Led Zeppelin tribute band. Mriglot, long Robert Plant hair and all, was the perfect frontman for this act. He owned the Plant swagger.

Of course, Mriglot has since left No Quarter and been replaced by some other Plant impersonator, but in my mind there will never be a better Led Zeppelin tribute frontman.  This is why I was excited to see Kashmir, a Led Zeppelin tribute band that Mriglot created in 2007 that incorporates more of the band’s acoustic side, not to mention the recent success of Plant’s work with Alison Krauss (thanks to singer Liza Brown), scheduled to woo the deck at C.I. Shenanigan’s tonight.

If I owned fancy enough clothes, I would so check this out.

[C.I. Shenanigan’s, Saturday, Aug. 15, 8 p.m., no cover, 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.752.8811]

MATT DRISCOLL: HURRICANE CHASER AT THE NEW FRONTIER TONIGHT >>>

Seattle’s Hurricane Chaser will be in town doling out the band’s emerging brand of comfortable (dare I say comforting), familiar and Americana styled rock â€" and it’s the kind of sound that takes the right type of person to master.

Producer turned musician turned Hurricane Chaser frontman Brad Zeffren is that type of guy.

Watching this band, on the other hand, doesn’t take much effort at all. Anyone with at least one working ear and a splice of musical sense should be able to enjoy.

Read my interview with Zeffren on the Weekly Volcano Web site before catching their show tonight at The New Frontier.

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Star Anna, guests, Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 p.m., 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]