SONIC GOODNESS IN STORE IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

It's Thursday, which means as sure as Christina Aguilera won't be performing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl again anytime soon, there's a new Weekly Volcano on the street.

And that means there's a new Weekly Volcano music section for you to tear into.

Here's a peek at the sonic goodness in store in print and online. ...

CAVE SINGERS

Let's imagine a band comprised of steaming momentum that has been abruptly decompressed and cooled in a folk-rock mold. Its members cut their teeth in art punk and prog-rock outfits, all wound up energy and attitude, when suddenly, in 2007, they came together in a kinder, gentler recording project. This project would develop into the Cave Singers. - Rev. Adam McKinney

EL PERRON

If a romantic dinner for two at Maxwell's Speakeasy isn't your ideal Valentine's Day, or if you're looking for something to do after diner, local hip-hop will be out in full effect this Monday evening at El Perron, located at 13021 Pacific Ave. Local mainstays Doughkain and Josh Rizeberg are topping a bill also featuring up-and-comers Darxiide, Golden Brown and A.R. Mastermind. - Zach Powers

*

THE BISMARK

Rarely do Washington rockers sound this Midwestern. The Bismarck is a Seattle quartet of North Dakotan expats with a penchant for hard-hitting, hickory-smoked rock 'n' roll. It seems appropriate that they'll be playing Bob's Java Jive with a band called Wyoming Young and Strong (named for a line in that state's official song). And while the Bismarck shares rambunctious energy with Apache Chief, another band on the bill, they have a singular, ostensive interest in red-blooded Americana... - Jason Baxter

CASE STUDIES

You've probably already read about the rest of The New Frontier's stacked Friday night line-up, but attention should also be paid to opening act Case Studies, the solo project of Jesse Lortz, a grounded, restless creative who hails from Seattle (fun fact: he once worked in Tacoma as a printing-press operator). - JB

PLUS: The Purrs, Guttermouth, E-40, Mirror Mirror

PLUS: The most extensive live music listings in the South Sound

PLUS: Self-taken photos of your mom

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Kevin McGlocklin of Bluebeard Coffee in regard to our (literal) peak inside his Sixth Avenue java destination.

McGlocklin writes,

Hey Volcans,
True. We didn't quite get open according to our original rosy schedule. Funny, but I used to tell every one of my new business customers to expect ongoing delays when I was doing wholesale coffee for Lighthouse in Seattle -- and now it's me. We're close, waiting on some afterburner flue materials to arrive to get roasting up and running and then it's the little things -- health dept, final inspections, all the little things. Can't wait to share the space with others. We're pretty happy with the space.
Cheers.

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Cloudy, hi 53, lo 45

Saturday: Showers, hi 48, lo 42

Sunday: More mutha fuckin' rain, hi 49, lo 46

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 11: THE EROICA TRIO

Every once in a while the It List likes to extract its good suit from a plastic dry cleaning bag and take in some high culture. In a one-two punch of elegant hoity-toitiness, the Pantages presents the Tacoma Philharmonic, together with the Grammy-nominated The Eroica Trio, in a program fittingly entitled American Romantic. The lineup includes "Gershwin, Bernstein, and the Man in Black," and as if that weren't enough, every member of the trio is a fabulous babe.

• Pantages Theater, American Romantic, $19-$52, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.272.0809

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 12: MISSIONARY POSITION

Mixing a dirty, Motown-esque vibe with an eight-ball of sex and the classic gritty songwriting of Jeff Angell, The Missionary Position is not to fuck with. The song "Let's Start a Fire" alone proves it. While The Missionary Position's brand of guilty guitar grooves aren't balls to the wall, all the time like Angell's locally more well known band - the sporadic and infamous Post Stardom Depression - there's still something very gripping about the way Angell writhes, as always. The true definition of a workingman's rocker, Angell and The Missionary Position are a nice fit for Doyle's. - Bobble Tiki

• Hell's Kitchen, with High Noon Horizon, Jobe Himself, The Material, Solar, $9, $5, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma 253.759.6003

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 12: MUD BAY JUGGLERS

It's three, three, three times the fun: The Mud Bay Jugglers, the Tune Stranglers and the Juggling Jollies will all defy gravity to rock the Washington Center, a benefit for Encore Arts. Encore Arts is a nonprofit organization that provides South Sound kids with arts opportunities, which explains why there are discount postcards distributed throughout Olympia that allow kids in at a rate of two-for-one. This show celebrates the Mud Bay Jugglers' 30th anniversary.

• Washington Center for the Performing Arts 7 p.m., $10-$25,512 Washington St., Olympia, 360.753.8585

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>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

MATT DRISCOLL Editor and Self-made Hundredaire
It's Best of Oly vs. New Baby Driscoll -- who will be done first? If this kid knows what's good for him he'll stay safe and warm inside mom until next week's epic Best of Oly issue is officiall put to bed.

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
All work and no play for this scribe. Lots of bartending and lots of house cleaning, especially laundry...mismatched socks and skidded little boy undies are no fun.  But, come Valentine's Day, the lobster my honey plans to cook me will taste that much sweeter.

Brett Cihon Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
I have some friends in Seattle throwing a Valentine's party on Friday night. I'll probably head north for some good Valentimes. By Saturday I'll cruise back to town and check out a prospective meat market. Gotta love the meat.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
I'm seeing Parallel Lives in the Midnight Sun and catching up on some spring cleaning. Also, I may be interviewing a certain well-known public figure this afternoon. I'll give you a hint: It's either Keith Olbermann, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, or Jack in the Box.

ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
 Going to see "Parallel Lives" at the Midnight Sun in Oly Friday night and a PFLAG-Olympia meeting Sunday afternoon.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer
Chocolate tasting at BBC Thursday. Girls night Friday- "We gonna chill the heck out". Saturday early morning workout, volunteer at the Empowerment Center, celebrate the end of a 30-Day Clean Eating Challenge through CrossFit Tacoma with a potluck dinner. Woo Hoo! Sunday- get some serious rest after church and family dinner.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Nightlife Correspondent
Friday, I am taking my out-of-town brother to the Gruv Lounge for bacon goodness, hit the Tacoma Comedy Club and end the night at Puget Sound Pizza for karaoke. Saturday, after my Tacoma Art Place board meeting, it's dodgeball at Franklin Park. Sunday is open at this point, but that will change by Friday.

STEPH DEROSA Features Writer
After recouping from a mild overdose of chocolate, thanks to the Weekly Volcano's Nosh League,  I will be holing up with two of my besties - Jenny Fab and The KAke on Friday night for a little pillow fight/gossip session.   After I knock the living shit out of them with my extra firm pillow, we'll most likely spoon in front of the fire while watching whatever atrocious movie we regretfully rent on pay-per-view.  Saturday is all about kiddos and birthday parties while Sunday we go to pick up our GIRL SCOUT COOKIES (call me if you get the munchies, I have a ton of Thin Mints and Samoas).  Sunday evening the DeRosa clan will gather 'round a makeshift stage at Imperial Dragon while we watch my kick-ass nephew's band play ... only to want more live music an hour later.

JOE IZENMAN Theater and Music Writer
Things that seem likely: band practice Thursday, a Dorky's Sandwich and The Cave Singers @ New Frontier on Friday, Proctor Farmer's Market and poker night on Saturday, remembering there's no football to watch and registering for wedding presents on Sunday. Interwoven songwriting, recording, watching West Wing, and other nonsense.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIDAY, FEB. 11, 2011 >>>

1. So much music, so little time! From Tacoma to Olympia, you've got the Cave Singers, E-40 and Guttermouth to choose from. Gander the Weekly Volcano's comprehensive live local music listings (the best in the South Sound!) here.

2. Today is the Oly Arts Walk XLII registration deadline. Find info here and here.

3. Juno What!? considers itself, "a shameless dance party," according to the band's Facebook page. "Formed in 2008, the band has quickly become the leading practitioner of high-energy disco booty jams, and live electro-funk." From Denver, the band will celebrate a CD release show at Jazzbones tonight - something they've been doing all over our area. Ballsy. But who can deny disco booty jams?

4. This evening in the Oly area catch the third episode of Olympia Winter Nights. According to the website, "This week we welcome Derek M. Johnson and local band Vradiazei. Be sure to tune in at 8pm PST to TCTV Channel 77, Kaos 89.3 FM, or right here to the blog for a live stream of the concert."

5. See My Bloody Valentine tonight at the Grand as part of the Late Night Horror Series.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIDAY (HELL YEAH) VIDEO BREAK>>>

My Internet is out at home, so I'm chilling at the Satellite Coffee by the downtown YMCA, where the wheat grass grows high in a planter behind the juicing counter and the baristas are camouflaged with tattoos and talk on their cell phones while they make your latte... because they're just that cool. (And they totally are). What's up Jenna!!

I perused the interweb looking for the perfect Friday break video, and it came to me with bare buns and a train whistle. Until today I had enjoyed watching Internet nudity only in the confines of my own household. I can't deny doing it in public was much more interesting. So, if you can, I suggest you enjoy this little video in a public library, Starbucks, or religious center.

Side note: this short was made entirely with a cell phone by Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin as an assignment from Sundance Channel.

T-TOWN'S SATELLITE CONNECTION >>>

Neighborhood: Division, Sixth Avenue, Downtown

Address/Phone:

2811 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma, 253-753-5858

817 Division Ave., Tacoma, 253-753-5858

112 Market St., Tacoma, 253-753-5858

Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Standard Cup of Heaven: $2-$3

Bean Source:  Stumptown Coffee - some would say the very best in the world - is used in making the very best coffees and espresso.

Crowd: College students, dinners at Masa's and folks looking for a quiet spot to read or blog.

Wifi: Of course

Noshing/Sipping: There are cookies and breads for sale.  Also, you can pick up Coca-Cola in the bottle for $2.

Bonus: Nice, quiet area to sit and enjoy the ambiance of the Satellite to visit and/or read.  Pictures of satellites adorn the walls; neat little toys are also showcased.  As to the mochas, they are simply the best I have ever tasted.

The Satellite:  Besides the Sixth Avenue location, there are two others in orbit in T-Town - one at 817 Division Ave. and another at 1122 Market St.  

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

REAL STORIES FROM REAL BARTENDERS >>>

I've been a bartender for a long time. I have met countless freaks, jerks, pervs, sweethearts, rockstars and crazies. Even though it's a physically and mentally exhausting job, these are the colorful people that make it all worthwhile. Well, that and the tips.

I'd like to share with you some of my personal experiences behind the bar, along with the stories from some of my fellow bartenders. Each week - under the clever heading of "Behind Bars" - I will dig into my memory bank - and the incident log books that all bars keep - to bring you some of my favorite stories.

Names of bars, bartenders and patrons have been changed or withheld to protect the innocent.

And the not so innocent.

Cheers!

This week: More aural adventures

This week, as we've done before, Behind Bars takes us on another aural adventure.

Sometimes these aural treats come from eavesdropping. Other times, they spew straight at us from the mouths of customers.

For example ...

Here are a few direct quotes.

Some are humorous:

"You alcoholics have a bartending problem."

"Can you please microwave my vodka for 7 seconds?"

"Do you have some matches so I can light my fart?"

Some are scary:

"Hey mama, can I take you to my family's trailer? They'd love you."

"I'll be back to spit in your face, bitches! Burn in hell!"

"I've been up for like 3 days; you got something to take the edge off?"

And some are just plain amateur:

"I'm sorry, but I have to pay with a twenty."

"I'd like a Rodka Vedbull."

"Can I have your wellest whiskey?"

Ahh, sweet South Sound, thank you for allowing us bartenders the chance to bridge those gaps in humanity that can only be filled by a little cash and a strong pour.

Until next time, keep those glasses full and spirits high.

"BEHIND BARS" LINK HUB

LINK: Big & Rich

LINK: Tales From the Incident Log Book

LINK: The Tip Jar

LINK: Aural Adventures

LINK: Smooth Transitions

LINK: The Pooper

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Christopher in regard to Matt Driscoll's story from last July about Tacoma attempting to cultivate food carts.

Christopher writes,

This was a very well written piece, and the idea that Tacoma is opening itself to entrepreneurs is exciting. But further research shows that the rubber does not hit the road when you realize the fees that Pierce County has set in place for a new cart owner to get started. You could buy a new cart (the largest investment in a new cart business) every year, for the fees that Tacoma has leveled. I believe that the restrictions to a dying downtown environment and the excessive fees will keep the cart dream from ever becoming a reality in Tacoma.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. Kidnap The Past, Elbow Coulee, Astrovan. 9 pm.

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. Kramer, The Bismarck, Apache Chief, Wyoming Young & Strong. 9 pm.

• Rarely do Washington rockers sound this Midwestern. The Bismarck is a Seattle quartet of North Dakotan expats with a penchant for hard-hitting, hickory-smoked rock 'n' roll. It seems appropriate that they'll be playing Bob's Java Jive with a band called Wyoming Young and Strong (named for a line in that state's official song). And while the Bismarck shares rambunctious energy with Apache Chief, another band on the bill, they have a singular, ostensive interest in red-blooded Americana; the first word heard on their latest record Great Plains is a throatily-shouted "America!" and the song  "Not If You Were the Last Team Gina Fan on Earth" features the lyric, "Take me back to the Great Lakes/Take me back to red states/Take me back to the Midwest" (the title references - perhaps satirically - one of Seattle's lesbian hip-hop duos). Read the full story here. – Jason Baxter
  

Cicada Restaurant Olympia. Valentine Weekend Celebration, with LaVon Hardison, Joe Baque. 8 pm.

The Den at urbanXchange Tacoma - Downtown. The Den Fundraiser with the Nightgowns and Check Please. All Ages. 7 pm. $10.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Phunkatron & The Double Deuce Horns. 9:30 pm. NC.

FuSE Cafe & Imbibery @ Pt Defiance Cafe & Casino Ruston. Billy Shew and the Spanktones. All Ages. 8 pm. No Cover.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Missionary Position, High Noon Horizon, Jobe Himself, The Material. 9 pm. $5.

The Hub Tacoma - Stadium District. Fingertips. 9 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Valentine's Day Kickoff Party, featuring Cherry Cherry (Neil Diamond Tribute). 8 pm. $10.

Koncrete Studios Olympia - Eastside. We Out Here All Ages Showcase, featuring Metaphantom, Cyrus, Young Sash, Mr. Twist, Kyle Duffey, Young & Brave and more. All Ages. 7 pm. $10.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Les Jupes, Mirror Mirror. 9 pm.

• The 20th Anniversary re-release of British shoegaze group Ride's seminal album Nowhere was recently awarded a "Best New Reissue" commendation and lusted-after high score from taste-making news and reviews site Pitchfork Media, evidence that (in some critical circles, anyway) bleary, reverb-soaked ear candy will continue to be celebrated, appreciated and encouraged. Olympia's Mirror Mirror are unabashedly aiming for a smudged, smothering shoegaze sound, though their (relatively) clear vocals and occasional acoustic jangles set them apart from run-of-the-mill Jesus and Mary Chain imitators. Their music is more in line with bands from shoegaze's immediate legacy (Brian Jonestown Massacre, et al.); guitar-centric, vintage-influenced rock that shimmers as much as it simmers, and sounds totally righteous at full blast. - JB

The Loft on Cherry Olympia - Downtown. Countdown to Love 3 with Pizza T's Z Kamp, High Ceiling, Danny Kelly, Bodhi Drip. Includes a barter fair. Beer garden for 21+. All Ages. 7 pm. $5.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. James Hunnicut. All Ages. 8 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Stephen Heinzman Trio. All Ages. 8:30 pm. NC.

Matrix Coffee House Lewis County. Romantic Song Contest! Winners in three categories: Best Original Song, Best Cover Song, Best Youth Performer (18 or younger). Winners chosen by audience participation. All Ages. 7 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. The Purrs, The Drug Purse, Spanish For 100. 9 pm.

• Over their 10-year career, the Purrs have exuded, above all else, a supreme sense of confidence. Every song is lavishly produced and drenched in gorgeous guitar work, every lyric almost off-handedly intoned by lead singer Jima. The casual mixing and matching of rockabilly and psychedelia and shoegaze - it all speaks to the kind of intrinsic confidence (and the talent to back it up) that all rock bands strive for. The seeming effortlessness of the Purrs only adds to their hypnotic allure. Comparisons with bands like the Brian Jonestown Massacre or the Verve notwithstanding, the Purrs have managed to quietly carve out a niche for themselves in the admittedly overcrowded psychedelia scene. Saturday finds them sharing a bill with lively punk rockers Red Hex, an excitingly unlikely pairing if ever there was one. - Rev. AM

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Cave Singers, Whalebones, Takhoma. All Ages. 8 pm.

• Let's imagine a band comprised of steaming momentum that has been abruptly decompressed and cooled in a folk-rock mold. Its members cut their teeth in art punk and prog-rock outfits, all wound up energy and attitude, when suddenly, in 2007, they came together in a kinder, gentler recording project. This project would develop into the Cave Singers. Later in 2007, they would sign to Matador Records. Speaking with Marty Lund, drummer for the Cave Singers, this transition doesn't come off nearly as abrupt as one might picture it. Coming out of Cobra High, a Seattle math-rock band, Lund happened to be living nearby Derek Fudesco (formerly of Pretty Girls Make Graves and Murder City Devils) and Pete Quirk (of Hint Hint) when they started casually collaborating. Read the full story here. – Rev. Adam McKinney

Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub Tacoma - Downtown. Big Wheel Stunt Show. 8 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. The Hip Replacements. 8 pm.

Swing Wine Bar & Cafe Olympia - Westside. Valentine's Show, featuring Vince Brown. 7 pm. NC.

Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe Tacoma - Eastside. Mahnhammer, Hands of Toil, 12 Guage Saint. 8 pm. NC.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Back Porch Swing. All Ages. 8 pm. $8-$12.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Tim Hall Band. 9 pm.

LINK: More live music in the South Sound

SATURDAY, FEB. 12, 2011 >>>

1. Did you miss the Cave Singers last night at the New Frontier in Tacoma? Never fear. The band will be in Olympia at Northern tonight for an all-ages show.

2. The Bismarck is a Seattle quartet of North Dakotan expats with a penchant for hard-hitting, hickory-smoked rock 'n' roll. It seems appropriate that they'll be playing Bob's Java Jive tonight with a band called Wyoming Young and Strong (named for a line in that state's official song). Apache Chief and Kramer are also on the bill.

3. The Mud Bay Jugglers, the Tune Stranglers and the Juggling Jollies will all defy gravity to rock the Washington Center tonight, a benefit for Encore Arts.

4. Following his sold-out show there New Year's Eve, Chris Anderson - a crooner in the classic Sinatra mold - returns to the Pacific Grill for A Sweet Evening tonight. Start your Valentine's action early.

5. Over their 10-year career, the Purrs have exuded, above all else, a supreme sense of confidence. Every song is lavishly produced and drenched in gorgeous guitar work, every lyric almost off-handedly intoned by lead singer Jima. Tonight the Purrs play the New Frontier with Tacoma's Red Hex.