WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Anger in downtown Olympia

Eff bullies

Apparently three percent of parents regret what they named their child, but can't do anything about it now. Our regards go out to the parents of Waka Flocka Flame.

Jimmy Fallon: Weekend Update charades

Sheriff in a Texas town tells residents to start packing heat.

It's Dennis Quaid's birthday!

MEET THE ARTIST >>>

Attention to light and shadow are hallmarks of Peter Serko's photography - especially in his architecture and cityscapes shots. This is especially true with his latest show, Around The Block: Photographs of Downtown Tacoma and Tideflats, which is on display through May 12 at the Mary Boze Gallery inside the Tahoma Unitarian Church.

Tonight from 5-7 p.m. Serko will drop by the Boze to discuss his work and answer questions.

[Mary Boze Gallery, reception Friday, April 9, 5-7 p.m., show runs weekdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1115 S. 56th St., Tacoma]

INK AND DRINK >>>

Last night Mad Hat Tea Co. in downtown Tacoma held a reception for The INK Show – new work by artists who dabble in ink such as Zachary Marvick, Maria Jost, Adam Jackson, Jeremy Gregory, Kenji Fullmer and Maureen McHugh, among others. The contributing artist answered questions about their ink drawings from the packed crowd - most in the 20s. All the works are amazing. I recommend you stop by for a cup and a browse. The INK Show runs through May 6.

Most of Jeremy Gregory's work was sold by time I arrived. I did learn that he's participating in a live collaborative art project titled "W3AVE" Thursday, April 29, at the Henry Art Gallery in Seattle.

Last night was also my look at Mad Hat's new bar. Visitors can now lean on something as they sip tea.

I snapped a few photos before running off to Pacific Grill due to complete starvation. Have you tried PG's ramen bowls? You should.

[Mad Hat Tea Co., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 1130 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.441.2111]

LINK: The INK Show in our Photo Hot Spot

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Rock: Correct me if I'm wrong: Valis is a band made up of leather-clad, rock ‘n' roll Satan worshippers who live together in a giant interstellar vessel powered only by pure, gutturally wailing psychedelic metal and capable of leaping across time and space. Is that right? How goddamn awesome are these guys? Let's see: The band's name comes from a Philip K. Dick novel (and we all know he's the most badass sci-fi author ever); lead singer and guitarist Van Conner (See: Screaming Trees) has a voice that shrieks like Ozzy Osbourne on the other side of the Stargate; and the music as stony as stony gets - and stony has gotten pretty damn stony. Bottom line: When a band has a song called "Under Satan's Will" that still manages to defy expectations, there's something to be said for that. That "something" is "awesome." With Legend of Bigfoot and Midnight Salvage Co., Friday, April 9, 9 p.m., The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020

Twee-Pop: James and the Express is a twee-pop band that seems to be obsessed with tomatoes. That's as good a place to start as any, I suppose. Bouncy, impossibly sunny melodies carry the songs on Are Your Tomatoes Safe?, the band's debut album. Band leader James Mackison's voice is humble and sweet, with occasional dips into Elvis Costello territory. Music as gentle and unassuming as this is a double-edged sword - people are attracted and repelled by it for the same reason. Mackison has an almost McCartney-esque preoccupation with love, and when he refers to his heart as having been "built for two," you kind of want there to be more of an edge. But, then again, the innocence is what made it special in the first place. With Cleeman, Friday, April 9, 10 p.m., no cover, Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710

LINK: Move live shows tonight in the South Sound

BRING ON THE WEEKEND >>>

The weekend hath cometh, o' weary followers of the Weekly Volcano. Rejoice. Recharge. Rejuvenate. Reap the benefits of multiple beers.

With the weekend comes the Weekly Volcano's Prefunk, a regular-like-clockwork guide designed to prime you and your liver for two worthy events coming up this weekend.

Here's how it goes:

Basically, I choose a couple happenings this weekend, tell a few tasteless jokes - and slap on a picture of a dog or cat getting wasted. That's it. It's an unbeatable recipe...

For something.

Anyway, here we go.

GRAY SKY BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL

Saturday, April 10

If you're under the age of 40 - you may not even realize the Tacoma Daffodil Parade still exists. Unless you're a hopeful Daffodil princess, I suppose. Or just really festive. Or just really like waving. Or flowers. Or whatever...

The same could be said for the blues: If you're under the age of 40, you may not realize it still exists.

Well, my friends, blues is alive and well - and has a strong following in the South Sound. Local blues acts like Randy Oxford, Blues Redemption, Toughtimes and Billy Shew are all the proof you need of our area's blues talent.

Saturday, directly following the Grand Floral Daffodil Parade through the streets of T-town, the annual Gray Sky Blues Music Festival will kick off at venues all over Tacoma - from the Harmon to the Swiss and beyond. (Here's what we had to say about it in this week's print Volcano.) The aforementioned Oxford and Blues Redemption, along with blues guitarist Sean Carney and many others, will put the South Sound's blues mojo on full display - all day long.

It's a cherished yearly event within the blues community, and for good reason.

PREFUNK: There's a good chance, if you're taking my questionable advice, you'll be experiencing the Blue Sky Blues Music Festival for the first time on Saturday; perhaps you're a young person excited to dip your virgin toes in the blues. Here are two things to expect, and how to prepare:

1. Most blues songs sound the same. Get used to it. And drink heavily before arriving to make this less of an issue.
2. Old people look funny when they dance to the blues. Get used to it. And drink heavily before arriving to make this less of an issue.

BINGO AT AMVETS POST 1

Sunday, April 11

Who doesn't like bingo? No one I know. That's why Sunday bingo at AMVETS POST 1, on Tyler and 56^th, is destined to be THE NEXT BIG THING. The hot letter and number calling action runs from 10 a.m to 2 p.m., and from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

PREFUNK: Nothing gets a bingo party started right like a taco, am I right? Of course I am (or I've just been brainwashed by the Volcano's recently concluded Tournament of Tacos).

Either way, Moctezuma's emerged victorious from the Volcano's Tournament of Tacos, relying heavily on the delicious "Mexico City Taco."

Try one on for size before bingo. You'll be glad you did.

Plus, if you get gassy - you're playing bingo with seniors. No one will notice.

See you next week.

SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2010 >>>

1. Carol Parsons was murdered by her ex-husband on March 17, 2010 during a marriage counseling session at a Federal Way church. Read the full story here. Northwest Music Scene, Northwest Convergence Zone and Music Giving Back will produce a benefit concert for Carol Parsons' children from 6 p.m. to midnight inside Happy Days Casino in Lakewood. Rockfish from KZOK will emcee the show that features such bands as Voxxy Vallejo, Deborah Page, O'Dark 30, China Davis and ML3. Admission to the all-ages show is $12. All proceeds go directly to Carol Parsons family.

2. Sure, Christian Carvajal expertly reviews theater for the Weekly Volcano - but he's got some really impressive stuff on his resume too. He's a math teacher, for one. Even better, he's a math teachin' sci-fi author who just wrapped up a book tour supporting his latest effort, Lightfall. Carv (as we like to call him) will be signing issues of Lightfall from noon to 2 p.m. inside Borders Books in Tacoma. He'll be the really kick-ass looking guy at the table with all the shiny new books - books he actually wrote.

3. The Vixens Bikini Bike Wash will be held at Redline Motorsports from noon to 5 p.m.

4. October Country – an absorbing documentary that follows a year in the life of a family so haunted by the past that it is paralyzed in the present – will screen at 6:30 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater in Olympia. Filmmakers Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher will answer questions after the screening of their film.

5. Igneous Rocks will, er, rock The Fan Club at 8:30 p.m.

LINK: Movie showtimes in the South Sound

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Blues: Today, directly following the Daffodil Parade, the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival will kick off at venues all over Tacoma, like the Swiss, Stonegate Pizza, Indochine, the Harmon Brewery, Paddy Coyne's and Cutter's Point Coffee. Performers include Sean Carney, the Blue Mongols, the Randy Oxford Band, Blues Redemption and a boatload more. Saturday, April 10, noon to midnight, cost varies by location, complete schedule here - Michael Swan

Party: This weekend, in typical Jive, DIY fashion, Bandolier, Motopony, The Painkillers, DJ Darrren Selector, Dave the bartender - and the Jive's extended, beer drinking family - will gather at the South Tacoma Way landmark to celebrate 55 official years of Bob's Java Jive. The event is intended to mark the anniversary of when Bob and Lylabell Radonich made the fateful decision to purchase the coffee pot shaped restaurant - originally constructed in 1927 - and turn it into a bar and music venue, creating a Tacoma legend along the way (as well as a few nicotine addicted chimps). It's a celebration, and without even saying it, it's also part of a community's - our community's - constant effort to "Save the Jive." Read the full story here. Saturday, April 10, 9 p.m., $5, Bob's Java Jive, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843 - Matt Driscoll

Jam: If there's one thing Tim Reynolds (of the appropriately named Tim Reynolds Trio) can do it's jam on it. Dude is like best buds from way back with Dave Matthews, after all, which means he's no fan of the two and a half minute pop song. Nope, this guitarist is all about the improvisation. Playing Colombo, my guess is Reynolds smokes a little weed - but that's neither here nor there, and I'm not going on anything but his band, his hair, and his penchant for "jamming on it."  Perhaps that's stereotypical of me. Tonight, Reynolds will give fellow jammers and those just waiting for Dave Matthews' annual sandal-fest at the Gorge something to chew on when the Tim Reynolds Trio lights up Jazzbones. It'll probably smell like a skunk in there, but - again - that's probably stereotypical. Saturday, April 10, 9 p.m., $15, Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169 - MD

SHAKESPEARE IN THE SPEAKEASY >>>

Before he becomes king, Prince Hal gives his dear old dad King Henry IV a few headaches. He drinks, throws down and hangs out with all manner of slatterns and washerwomen. He cavorts with Falstaff, a disreputable knight, while numerous parties plot against his father, the titular king. Eventually, he realizes the need to prove himself as heir to the throne, and the challenge to his father provides the perfect foil.

Watching Tacoma's Shakespeare in the Parking Lot troupe rehearse Henry IV Part 1, Act 4, Scenes 1 and 2 at the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative today, I wonder if the honor-crazy Hotspur (son and heir of the Earl of Northumberland and the nephew of the Earl of Worcester) might not steal the show. Prince Hal is the true focus and hero of the drama, which is considered Shakespeare's greatest history play, supposedly written in 1591 and 1592 along with Henry V and Henry VI. However watching the fiery female redhead perform the role of Hotspur, performing it as if it was opening night, the others, including Prince Hal, better step it up. She had her game face on, often screaming at her mistakes as if part of the play.

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot was rehearsing for their upcoming Shakespeare-a-thon to be held April 23-24 at the Speakeasy. More than 50 actors and Shakespeare enthusiasts will recreate the three King Henry and two King Richard plays in "Shakespeare Unplugged" staged readings and performances.

Here is the schedule:

Friday, April 23 (the first 12 hours - the first four plays)

6:30 p.m.: Richard II

8:30 p.m.: Henry IV Parts 1 and 2

11:00 p.m.: Henry V 

Saturday, April 24 (the final 12 hours - the final four plays

3 p.m.: Henry VI Parts 1, 2, and 3

8 p.m.: Richard III

Saturday, the staged reading of Henry VI at 3 p.m. and the final show of the series, Richard III, will both be presented for free. Otherwise, adult tickets are $10 for each play. All plays will be free for those 18 and younger.

A "meal ticket," which will include the three Friday evening shows and an Elizabethan inspired dinner, is $32 or $45 for two. Meal ticket reservations must be made before April 19.

Call 253.318.5182 for more information and tickets.

And keep your eye on that redhead.

VINYL TRIBE REPRESENT >>>

People who consciously attempt to be cool are a turn off. Those who try to act cool to earn the money of other people should be dragged into Tollefson Plaza and forced to sit there. Those who make great music don't do it for us, but for themselves.

Art is a form of self-expression and brings self-satisfaction. This does not mean it cannot be admired. Presentation is one thing; creating a work of art is another entirely different consideration.

As soon as people are willing to pay money to witness artistic output, that product becomes a commodity. Honors go to those who work dreary 9-to-5s in order to support themselves and still find the energy within to create magnanimous odes to human existence.

Such is the case with Tacoma's new DJ collective Vinyl Tribe, three veteran DJs who are slowly building their collective with pile-driving techno and dubstep on the scene. While slaving away in the local clubs (OK, make that 9-to-5 a.m.), Damon Kaiser (DefCon1), Chris Savenetti and Garret Winebrenner (BennieNugs) met at house parties only to discover they live within a few blocks of each other. Witness their skills every Thursday at Sax Restaurant and Lounge on Sixth Avenue. They spin techno, dubstep and house under the title Tribal Thursdays, which begins at 9:30 p.m. What I have discovered chatting with the collective over the past two weeks is that they're cool without trying to be cool.

The men behind Vinyl Tribe are regular guys who are in love with music, the art of collecting vinyl, and the discovery of new music. They create the music for themselves, and then share the joy with others. Yes, they watch the crowd closely - monitoring the vibe and adjusting as necessary. That's what the great DJs do. However the three Vinyl tribe DJs spin for themselves, too. You can see it in their eyes and smiles behind the decks. It's passion not posing. And ultimately the crowd wins.

If you haven't heard DefCon1 spin yet, you may grab a taste today when he's the guest DJ on DJ Michael Sherman's "Intersections" show on enSonic.FM at 1 p.m. The show connects listeners with rising star DJs in the underground dance scene. DefCon1 will showcase his Western Technology set today on the show.

What follows is my conversation with DefCon1 concerning his "Intersections" appearance.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Tell me about Western Technology.

DEFCON1: Well, when I was initially putting together the DJ mix set of Western Tech I wanted to not just do a decent mix for Michael Sherman's "Intersections" show, I wanted to introduce what is an exploding new form of dance music, dubstep. Hence, I didn't want to just throw together some tracky set, where each new song is trying to top the other. Western Technology is more of a gradual up and down journey in feel - a condensed version of what an evening out at a party might be like. If you're familiar with dubstep, it's a treat to hear the songs not normally heard, and if you're new to it, it's a great introduction, I think.

VOLCANO: Sometimes there's a fine line between identifying a common set of sensibilities, which make up a genre. Do you follow a strict dubstep genre path?

DEFCON1: Not in the least. I love the mellower side with its spooky reggae or trip-hop harmonies, as well as the old school screaming acid lines in stuff from artists like Datsik. In fact it's the entire, "let's take a bit of this and that" mentality of dubstep that draws me and a lot of others into it. People are much more astute regarding dance music than when I began DJing and it shows in the progression of the music and what they want to hear. When you listen to Western Tech, it's an example of how I spin in song selection with this in mind. Now there are others that do just spin one type or the other, but I think that limits them creatively.

VOLCANO: What kind of music did you listening to growing up? What led you to the dark side?

DEFCON1: HA! I grew up listening to all kinds of music, my dad liked country and 1970s folk and mom liked metal, classic art rock - and Kraftwerk of all things. I would say that those pioneering German geniuses were my first introduction to electronic music. I mean, just like any kid I had periods where I only liked one thing - AC/DC and Metallica one month, Easy-E and NWA the next. Influentially though, what brought me into dance music and away from the traditional was darkwave like the Cure and Depeche Mode, followed by techno - and I mean fast, breakbeat, we-just-broke-into-this-warehouse rave music. It was just like now, an incredible new form of music bursting on the scene. I loved it. I had just hit my late teens/20s and went to every party I could go to, I couldn't get enough of the energy. Spinning naturally followed.

Catch Defcon1 on enSonic.FM today at 1 p.m., and every Thursday with his Vinyl Tribe collective mates at Sax on Sixth Avenue.

On Wednesday, April 21, DefCon1 and collective mate BennieNugs will spin as part of Black Ice Booking's "Return to Eden" show at Jazzbones, which will feature live hip-hop from Faraca. DefCon1 and I chatted up the show, which I will post the conversation on Spew later in the week.

Now bookmark enSonic.Fm and enjoy DefCon1's world.

DRISCOLL IS BACK ON THE RADIO >>>

For some strange reason, the student radio jocks at KUPS 90.1FM have invited Weekly Volcano editor Matt Driscoll in for their "Guest Hour" today - from 1-2 p.m. It'll be Driscoll's second appearance on "The Sound." Listen in as he talks Tacoma, local music and whatever else comes to mind - trying desperately not to embarass himself or his family in the process.

KUPS can be found at 90.1FM on the dial, or online here.