MICHAEL SWAN: REMINDERS FROM SPEAK YOUR SOUL >>>

Zack Street of Speak Your Soul send us a couple of reminders:

1) Please remember to celebrate (and purchase) Tammy Robacker's new book of poetry, The Vicissitudes.  This weekend (Sunday the 25th) there is a book release party in downtown Tacoma with music, food, art and, of course, poetry.  We are pleased to announce that this event will feature two Speak Your Soul poets: Tammy Robacker, the star of the show, and Antonio Edwards who will host the event.

2) Spoken Word poets, listen up:  Tacoma's Annual ArtSlam is just around the corner, and the deadline for Spoken Word submissions is Monday the 26th.  Don't miss this chance to showcase your talent.

3) Remember to read poetry, write poetry and share your voice with us every 2nd Friday of the month at Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge in downtown Tacoma - next open mic: November 13th, 8 pm.

Word.

RON SWARNER: HERE'S TO TWO YEARS >>>

Years ago, the nightlife in the McKinley Hill neighborhood of Tacoma was pretty limited, to say the least, with only a few little taverns and diners along the main drag along McKinley Avenue.

Not much as has changed.

There’s hope. Two years ago the Top of Tacoma Bar and Café emerged as the coolest watering hole in the neighborhood. Before, a blue-collar joint called Harry’s Place served pizza to locals in this spot. The blue-collar vibes remain, although with a dash of young rock star swagger.

Last night Top owners Jaime Kay Newton and Jason J. Jones celebrated their second year in business by working their asses off keeping the packed house happy. The Revengers and The Fucking Eagles rocked the joint. Many celebratory shots were raised and downed.

Congrats Jamie and Jason. You know how to throw a party.

LINK: EJ shot video at the party

LINK: The Top's one-year anniversary party

MICHAEL SWAN: GET MYSTICAL >>>

While the roots of reggae run deep and its influences are many, change is a constant in the genre. Even in Tacoma, reggae has had its peaks and valleys. Among the few here who perform reggae music, Higher Vibes has remained on top of the genre.

Tonight the original lineup of Higher Vibes â€" bassist Jeff Leonard and drummer Darin Watkins (Vicci Martinez Band), guitarist Colby “Hot Sauce” Sander (Schematics), percussionist Sam Esecson (Paperboys), guitarist Jesse Turcotte (Old School Preservation Society, All Night Yardsale) and vocalist Zach Lujan â€" will lay down bumpin’ Island reggae tonight at Jazzbones.

“We’re going to throw in a few musical twists and plenty of interesting covers too,” says Turcotte.

The jazz funksters Intervision out of Portland will open.

[Jazzbones, with DJ Reign, Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 p.m., $7, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

MICHAEL SWAN: SUNDAY, OCT. 25, 2009 >>>

1. Matt Jaislles's movie Drug Cult - screening at 7 p.m. inside The Brotherhood Lounge in Olympia - has it all: lobotomies, drug fiends, sexy ladies, ruthless cops, a pregnant prostitute and dead bodies.

2. Tacoma poet Tammy Robacker will read and sign her first book of poetry, The Vicissitudes, during a celebration at bellaballs art studio from 2-4 p.m., hosted by Urban Grace Poet Laureate of Tacoma Antonio Edwards, Jr.
 
3. The Tacoma Youth Symphony Association presents A Night At the Movies Costume Concert at 3 and 6 p.m. in the Rialto Theater. 

4. The Tokens Improv host an Improv Seminar from 6-8 p.m. in the Broadway Center Rehearsal Hall.

5. Jazz guitarist ed Taylor and saxophonist Darren Motamedy perform at 8 p.m. inside Muckleshoot Casino.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

ADAM REV. MCKINNEY: DEATH BY STEAMSHIP FLOATS INTO OLYMPIA >>>

Death By Steamship is a very young band - they've only been around since June of this year. And, meaning this in the best way possible, the band sounds like it.

Their music is so bursting with messy exuberance. It's the sound of a band that hasn't been around long enough to be afraid of risking the audience for the sake of pushing the envelope.

Their forthcoming debut EP is a concept album about Seattle, and if that doesn't speak to their ballsiness, I don't know what will.

If you're willing to follow, Death By Steamship will surprise you at every turn.

[Le Voyeur, Sunday, Oct. 25, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710], 360.943.5710]

JOE IZENMAN: DON'T MESS WITH THE VILE RED FALCONS >>>

At a loss for any gigs with bands I actually knew on Friday night, I found the next best thing: a show featuring a band that had recently become my MySpace friend. That's almost like being their biggest fan, right? So I shuffled on down to The New Frontier to catch The Fuzz and The Legend Of Bigfoot at The Vile Red Falcons' CD release.

I've seen a lot of bands get upstaged at their own release shows. They stick themselves first or second, find another band to headline who will have a good draw, and promptly prove themselves the least interesting thing of the night. The Vile Red Falcons would have none of this. They played last, and rocked most, as it should be.

I was playing a show myself on Saturday night, and one of my friends said to me, "Musicians never really grow up, do they?" She could easily have been talking about The Fuzz. These are the kind of guys you'll see jumping around, being loud, and complaining about a lack of free drinks when they're pushing 70. They are a bar band, a garage band. Solid musicians playing crunchy, crusty, grungy (that's an adjective, not a genre, by the way) rock and/or roll. A half-metal riff moment here, a blues guitar solo there, and a pop-punk group jumping session to tie it all together. Rock music is supposed to be fun, and no one has ever told The Fuzz otherwise.

So when The Legend Of Bigfoot got onstage and just sort of stood there, it took some of the energy out of the room. They are not untalented. Their slow-moving and vaguely atmospheric songs have an appeal to them, certainly, and I'm sure they were a solid act a week early with Motopony and True Margrit, but stick them in a room with two balls-out rock outfits, and who do you think is going to be the odd man out?

As I said, the night was ultimately owned by The Vile Red Falcons, and not just because their name was at the top of the posters. John B and crew hopped on stage and picked up right where The Fuzz left off an hour before, blistering through to midnight on guitars, guitars, and guitars.

I try to avoid making blatant comparisons between bands when I am able, but the best way I can describe The Vile Red Falcons is to foist some Supersuckers upon you (punk Supersuckers, not country Supersuckers). Not that I should need to, if you live in Western Washington and are reading about punk rock.

The Vile Red Falcons' nominal showpiece is a driving rendition of Prince's "When Doves Cry." It doesn't matter how excited everyone is to hear you play, when you bust out a recognizable, genre-bending cover in the middle of the set, people always go a bit nuts. Personally I was more excited to hear them bust out "Whole Lotta Rosie," but then I'm like that. Even so, for my money the best way to fall for Vile Red Falcons is to run off to their MySpace and listen to "Like A Drug" at the top of their list. The song, like their set, is just basic, full-speed-ahead rock, from front to back, and sometimes that is exactly what you need. That, and their fans distributed cake. Seriously, somebody walked up and offered me a piece of birthday cake because they had too much. How cool is that?

RON SWARNER: GOOD TIMES >>>

Sometimes, when I'm really tired, and the couch is calling, is when I have the most fun in Tacoma. Here are eight things I ran into last night.

Pearl Django kicked off Maxwell's Speakeasy new Saturday night live music series. The gypsy jazz band fit like a glove in Maxwell's upscale speakeasy environment. Next Saturday Jazz trumpeter Lance Buller and crew will entertain.

Speaking of speakeasy, the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative in Tacoma hosted an Art Door Auction to benefit Tacoma Art Place.  A broken toed Alan Gorsuch, co-owner of Sanford and Son Antiques, auctioned off all 13 doors. There's good energy in this downtown Tacoma artist co-op space. Keep your eye here for future events.

The Rollin' Hots hotdog truck parked outside of the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative serving tasty wieners with a sense of humor. The hilarious owners Kelly and Carrie will come to your event. Send them an email at rollinhots@gmail.com.

Someone asked me what was the reason for the large crowd at The New Frontier Lounge. I pointed to the two guys on stage. Mr. Fusion, original acoustic music by longtime songwriting partners Joe Izenman and Erich Sachs, has a huge following for a good reason: They're talented.

Ryan Purcell and the Last Round reminds me of Paul Westerberg's The Replacements with an added Kenny Loggins feel ... something. I don't know. I do know this band equals a fun night. They followed Mr. Fusion at the New Frontier.

Renee Timmer moved like lighting when drumsticks were thrown.

Higher Vibes saxophonist Brett Cummings didn't have a reason to pretend shoot lead singer Zach Lujan while on Jazzbones' stage. The joint was packed.

I found The Trampires mascot sweet pea hanging out at the Tentwentytwo South lounge past midnight. He was still out for blood after the Femme Fianna won the Dockyard Derby Dames 2009 Championship Bout earlier in the evening.

MICHAEL SWAN: MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2009 >>>

1. Jazzbones will host a special edition of Monday night Rockaroake, complete with a costume contest at 9 p.m.

2. City Club of Tacoma, an organization committed to public dialogue and discussion, hosts a debate on Ref. 71 open to the public at 5:30 p.m. inside the Rausch Auditorium at the University of Puget Sound.

3. The Crown Bar celebrates its second anniversary from 7-9:30 p.m. with food and drink specials and music by the Crown Bar House Trio for $30 a person to benefit the Culinary Arts Students at Clover Park Technical College.

4. The BareFoot Collective’s 8@8 provides a platform for artists to show their work in an informal setting and to participate in an audience to artist constructive feedback session, which begins at 8 p.m. inside the Merlino Arts Center.

5. New Frontier Lounge hosts Rebel Monday/Industry Night with DJ Jason Diamond spinning roots reggae at 9 p.m.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

JAKE DE PAUL: FOOD MATTERS >>>

Anniversary Celebration: Crown Bar celebrates its second anniversary tonight with munchies, micros, wine and the musical styling of the Crown Bar House Trio from 7-9:30 p.m. Cost is $30 a person, $50 a couple. Reserve your space at 253.383.7000.

Classical French Cooking: Classically-trained French Chef Thierry Liot teaches Autumn Fare … a la Francaise tonight at 6 p.m. inside the Bayview School of Cooking in Olympia. The class costs $45. Reserve your spot at 360.754.1448.

Plan Ahead: Proctor District businesses dole out treats for the kids Oct. 31 from 4-6 p.m. Scare up some candy at 26th and Proctor in Tacoma.

Food For Thought: Slate reveals why pick-your-own orchards are a scam.

LINK: Weekly Volcano’s Eat & Drink section

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

LINK: South Sound Happy Hours

LINK: Wine and beer tastings