REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: INSIDE EMPEROR MOTH >>>

Jasper Spicero's songs feature mostly keyboard, but they're not light affairs. It's exciting to listen to layers of beats and sounds get folded into the mix, creating as close to a cacophony as the hissy trappings can manage. Spicero, aka Emperor Moth, is playing only one more shows - tonight - before leaving for Portland, and it would be a shame if he left without Tacoma letting Spicero know that it loves him back. 

[The Den @ urbanXchange, Saturday, Aug. 22, Emperor Moth with Lucretia Bourgeois, Christmas, Panda Teeth, Farms, 6 p.m., $5, 934 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280]

MATT DRISCOLL: THE COLOR OF EAST PLAY THE NEW FRONTIER TONIGHT >>>

A long time ago, in a not-so-far-away place, the Weekly Volcano (myself included) had a pretty serious thing for the band Never Quiet Never Still. More than just lead singer Lindsey Wilt’s mesmerizing voice and impressively long hair, Never Quiet Never Still was a moody rock force to reckon with. In 2006, our readers voted the band Best Alternative Rock Band of the year â€" which just goes to show the Weekly Volcano wasn’t the only one with a pretty serious thing for the group. Unfortunately for South Sound music fans, Never Quiet Never Still called it quits in 2007.

About a month ago, out of the blue, I got an e-mail from former NQNS bassist Vinny Beatty. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard from him since NQNS’s demise. In 2008 Beatty contacted me about a new band he was in â€" Twilight Drive. I made a slight mention of it in print at the time, but hadn’t heard much from the band since.

Well, now I know why. It seems between then and now, Twilight Drive lost a member and underwent something of a transformation. Beatty told me Twilight Drive was no more â€" having lost a guitarist â€" and a new band, The Color of East, had risen in its ashes.

This got me pretty excited. Read what I discovered about The Color of East here before heading to their show tonight at The New Frontier Lounge.

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Stereo Sons, Vile Red Falcons, Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Killed In Afghanistan: A 21-year-old soldier based at Fort Lewis stepped on a roadside bomb.

Drug Bust: Tacoma attorney, four others are in a world of hurt.

There's Been An Alleged Finagling: Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Michael Morgan is accused of Internet postings against political opponents.

Bad Billy: Hurricane spares Bermuda, heads for New England.

WTF: VA workers given millions in bonuses as vets await checks.

Secret Camp Detainees: Red Cross now knows their identities.

By The Beard Of Zeus!: Fires rage unchecked near Athens.

Circus: A man with a tattoo of Britney Spears' name on his arm or neck allegedly stole a Chihuahua with pink earrings from a South Florida gay bar.

This Bud's For You: A 72-year-old pizza shop employee foiled a shotgun-point robbery by throwing a can of beer at the perpetrators.

When the Flintstones Peddled Cigarettes

MICHAEL SWAN:SUNDAY, AUG. 23, 2009 >>>

1. Helsing Junction Sleepover in Rochester ends today but not without music by Danny Kelly, Why I Must Be Careful, Calvin Johnson, The Blackberry Bushes, Mirah, and Kimya Dawson beginning at noon.

2. Sand in the City, Olympia's largest free family festival, features a sand sculpting competition, master sand sculpting demonstrations, live entertainment and family-friendly art and science activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Port Plaza.

3. Third Annual Fort Nisqually Site Celebration featuring a salmon bake prepared by Nisqually Tribal members, historic re-enactors, guided site tours, a ceremonial blessing and more from noon to 4 p.m. at the DuPont Civic Center in Dupont.

4. Curators Stefano Catalani from Bellevue Arts Museum, Rock Hushka from Tacoma Art Museum, Kathleen Moles from the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, and Namita Wiggers from the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland will each talk about the significance of craft in their collections and exhibition programming at 1 p.m. at the Tacoma Art Museum.

5. Tacoma is for Lovers artist craft fair runs from 2-6 p.m. at Source Yoga, 2712 N. 21st St.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

MATT DRISCOLL: DK ROSS BENEFIT TODAY AT MECONI'S >>>

Life really fucking sucks sometimes. I don’t know how else to say it. When you look at a picture like that of David-Kenny Ross, the young boy struck by a boat while kayaking on American Lake earlier this year, and think of the severe brain damage and broken bones this young man sustained, there’s really nothing else you can say. As a parent, it makes my heart simply ache. It also makes me wonder if there’s any way â€" even small â€" that I can help Ross and his family.

Meconi’s in Tacoma was thinking the same thing, and today they’ll be holding a benefit for Ross to show their support for a boy who didn’t deserve the cards he was dealt, and help his family deal with the mounting medical costs.

Music will be provided by Loose Gravel & the Quarry, Chrome Molly â€" an AC/DC tribute band, 2112 â€" a Rush tribute band, and many more.

Comedians Chris Brannon and Riggs will also be on hand.

The event runs from noon to 8 p.m., and â€" really, truly â€" there’s no better way to spend a Sunday.

Donations small and large will be accepted and appreciated.

[Meconi’s Tacoma Pub & Eatery, with Glenn Harrell, Relentless, Grease Guemsey, Loose Gravel & the Quarry, Dave Roberts, Chrome Molly, Riggs, 2112, 709 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.3388]

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL AT O'MALLEY'S >>>

Twang.

You hear that?

It’s called a twang. And guess what: there’s more where that came from.

Folks, the Outlaw Music Festival is rollin’ into town, and it’s prepared to “two-timin’ woman” and “cross-roads-meetin’ devil” the shit out of you. A ragtag bunch of bluesy, countryish bands will gather together at O’Malley’s for a night of rowdiness followed (hopefully) by many tears cried in beers.

If ever there was a time to break out your leather jacket with the fringe and the white rose emblem, now’s the time.

Oh, and your dog died. And your woman left you. And alls you got left is your geetar.

Beer full of tears yet? 

[O’Malley’s Irish Pub, with Ten Miles of Bad Road, The Kings of Outlaw Country, Last Chance Romeos, the Siderailers, Johnson County, Sunday, Aug. 23, 5 p.m., $5, 2403 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.3144]

SUZY STUMP: 1ST ANNUAL NORTH 21ST BRIDGE FEST >>>

Let’s be reasonable for a moment. We are a growing planet, with a growing population.  We are expanding. We expand into the mountains, into the valleys, the farmlands, the deserts, into Gig Harbor.  We expand by building bridges. So, reasonably speaking, the days of wildlife are numbered. All those little furry critters that run around eating leaves and molesting house pets, well, they just don’t have much time left.  Expansion, you know.

So what am I saying?

Not sure.

I just have bridges on the brain because the 1st Annual North 21st Street Bridge Fest is today. Balloon animals and pirates are a part of it. So is wine and beer. And cars with hoods up. And the Tacoma is for Lovers artist craft fair, too. 

[21st Street Bridge Fest, Sunday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free, North 21st Street and North Fife Street, Tacoma, NorthBridgeFest@hotmail.com.

MICHAEL SWAN: SAVE THE DATE >>>

Friday, Sept. 11, is the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed thousands of Americans.

Jazzbones will donate $6 of every $12 ticket sold to see trombonist Randy Oxford and his blues band perform Friday, Sept. 11 to groups that help Tacoma firefighters.

Reserve your spot today at 253.396.9169.

MICHAEL SWAN: MONDAY, AUG. 24, 2009 >>>

1. Rockin' blues band South Side Popes plays The Swiss at 7 p.m.

2. Shakabrah Java hosts a Monday open mic night, which features whatever you want to do: music, poetry, tap dance at 5 p.m.

3. We're spotting more college kids out and about, which means Jazzbones' live band Rockaraoke will be off the hook beginning at 9 p.m.

4. DJ Jason Diamond spins roots reggae during The New Frontier Lounge's Rebel Monday at 9 p.m.

3. DJ Doll Hands spins vintage lady country music at The Brotherhood Lounge around 9 p.m.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Out House: Tacoma Housing board fires top leaders at Martin Luther King Housing Development Association.

The Great Inoculation: South Sound public health officials and school administrators scrambling to beat the H1N1 virus.

Oh No: Mullen says Afghan security situation "serious," getting worse.

CIA Torture Report: U.S. officials call for prisoner abuse cases to be reopened.

Nope, It Stays In Your Front Yard: Cash for Clunkers ends today.

Recession App: Apple may be highest grossing Fifth Avenue retailer.

Mark Zuckerberg Wants To Be Your Friend: Facebook plans to boost staff 50 percent this year.

Harsh Reality: Murder suspect Ryan Jenkins found dead of apparent suicide.

Salty Goodness To Strong: Man tries to rob store over beef jerky.

LEGOS!