BRING ON THE WEEKEND >>>

OK, OK, I know. I let you down last week, failing to post the Friday blog gem known as The Prefunk - a weekend primer for you and your liver.

So sue me. These things happen. Something tells me you survived - and might even be better for it.

That said, it's time to get back in the saddle. And where better to get back in the saddle, and start off this edition of The Prefunk, than the newly christened Big Whisky Saloon.

Huzzah!

BIG WHISKY SLOPPY SECONDS

Saturday, May 1

Technically, Tacoma's new cowboy bar - Big Whisky Saloon - opens Friday night (or tonight, depending on when you read this - like, between 6 and 7 p.m. They're still sawing as we speak - literally). But I've never been one for highly-hyped grand openings. Instead, I suggest checking out Big Whisky Saloon a day later, on Saturday (mainly because it works for the premise of this so-called column).

Saturday night also happens to be the official pre-party for the Brooks and Dunn show later that night - sweetening the deal considerable for those with a cowboy persuasion.

Big Whisky, at Ninth and A Streets in downtown Tacoma - in the spot that used to be Cans - is billing itself as a place where country music fans can once again call home. Since the demise of McCabe's, the Tacoma cowboy scene has been in rough shape, so the arrival of Big Whisky can be seen as nothing but a good thing (though I do wonder where all the big rigs will actually park downtown). In some cowboy circles, Big Whisky  - operated by Roger Rahil, also the current co-owner of the soon-to-open Tacoma dance club Encore at South 11th and Pacific Avenue (formerly the Vault) and his partner Jon Tartaglia, of Varsity Grill fame - is being referred to as "the new McCabe's," which makes a lot of sense since Paul Muller, formerly of McCabe's, will act as general manager.

Even better, there are no plans for Big Whisky to institute a hip-hop night anytime soon.

Friday may be the grand opening but this slob's money is on Saturday night - and the official Brooks and Dunn preparty - being the real deal ... if you're into that sort of thing.

PREFUNK: As they say, liquor before beer, you're in the clear; beer before liquor, never been sicker  - although, in truth, I'm not exactly sure what "they" say. Every time "they" are telling me something like that, I'm usually pounding Jell-O shots and PBR - right before upchucking.

Anyway, before heading out to Big Whisky, try having a little whisky. Might be nice, and set the evening in a positive trajectory.

PUNK INVASION: SLEDGEBACK, RED WHITE AND DIE, REBEL STRIKE, THE ASSASSINATORS @ Capitol Theater

Sunday, May 2

Nothing epitomizes an easy, breezy Sunday afternoon than a massive earful of all ages punk. Am I right, or am I right?

Sunday afternoon in Olympia, at the Capitol Theater, that's what you'll get as Sledgeback, Red White and Die, Rebel Strike and The Assassinators bring every chord they know to the table.

Granted, that's probably only four or five - but it should still be da bomb, yo.

PREFUNK: Here's a good idea - identify the person with the shittiest taste in music that you know, and invite them to this show. But, instead of Sledgeback, tell them Nickelback will be playing.

Then, sit back, pop in the ear plugs (for safety), and watch the horror on their stupid face as Sledgeback tears them a new you-know-what.

See you next week...