LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. Thee Headliners, The Black, Klondike Kate Band. 9 pm.

• Their music is a punk-rock-inflected stew of doo-wop, country, AM pop, blues and R&B. They excel on songs like "It Ain't Right," where the classic, strumming structure of Brill Building is paired with a stuttering beat that keeps everything just slightly off-kilter. Read an interview with the band here. - Rev. Adam McKinney

Cicada Restaurant Olympia. Carnival Party, featuring Ocho Pies. All Ages. 8 pm. NC.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. Ron Sanders. 8 pm.

Dawson's Bar and Grill Tacoma - South. Rock & Roll Magic. 9 pm. NC.

Doyle's Publi House Tacoma - Stadium District. McTuff with Cliff Colon. 9:30 pm. NC.

Emerald Queen Casino Tacoma - Eastside. The Goo Goo Dolls. 8:30 pm.

The Fan Club Lakewood. Chicken Joe Unplugged. Fundraiser for Linda Hill. Joe plays classic rock. 8:30 pm.

Great American Casino Lakewood. Stir Crazy. 9 pm. NC.

• In my many months reviewing meat markets, I've only seen two cover bands: KRY at The Swiss and Stir Crazy at the Emerald Queen Casino. Both bands tore it up. The crowd, the bar, the music, everything. Stir Crazy especially. A babe lead singer. A veteran, talented band. If anyone knows about the current state of cover bands, it's these guys. I want to know what, if any, change they have seen since popular music seems to have stepped away from five-piece guitar and drums to a synthesized, digital style. Read my full story on Stir Crazy and cover bands here. – Brett Cihon
  

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Hell's Belles (all-female AC/DC tribute). 9 pm. $12-$15.

• Mandy Reed (bass guitar), Adrian Conner (lead guitar), Lisa Brisbois (rhythm guitar), Laura D. (drums) and Amber Saxon (lead vocals) currently make up this balls-to-the-wall, all-girl rock-hard revue. I urge you to check out their show tonight at Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma. Breasts, beer and head-bangin' - all of life's pleasures in one place. - Steph DeRosa

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Heidi Vladyka. All Ages. 6 pm. NC. Gayle Skidmore, Vanja James, Paul Mauer. All Ages. 8 pm. $5.

Metronome Coffee Tacoma. Gina Belliveau, James Coats. All Ages. 8 pm.

• Quite literally, James Coates is one of the nicest dudes you'll ever meet. The centerpiece of local roots rock outfit James Coates and the Lost Souls, Coates seems to literally bleed emotion through his music (and even eyes). Saturday at Metronome Coffee on Sixth Avenue Coates will go solo - armed with only an acoustic guitar and a whole lot of heart. Later in the month, March 15 to be exact, Coates will do the same at the Mandolin Café. — Weekly Volcano
  

Morso Wine Bar Gig Harbor. Ted Russell Kamp. All Ages. 8 pm. $25.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. The Nightgowns, Follow the Kites, DJ Melodica. 9 pm. $7.

• If we really wanted to, as a town, we could band together and make sure that the Nightgowns would remain Tacoma's "best kept secret." We could shield them from the outside world, ensuring that only we would know the strange power that their synth-pop possesses. We could dote on them and come to every one of their shows and buy their every release and keep them warm and cozy in this deceptively gritty cocoon forever. But fuck that noise. I want bragging rights. I want to shove the Nightgowns in front of every eye and ear possible and say, "See! Tacoma was home to this wonderful music the whole time, and now you have the privilege of hearing it." This is a dream that is closer than ever to coming to fruition, as the Nightgowns ready themselves to head down to Austin, Texas, for an industry showcase in the 25th Annual South by Southwest Music Festival. On March 5, a benefit show will be held at The New Frontier Lounge to send off the band and help out a little bit with the cost of driving down to Texas and staying in roadside motels. Read the rest of the story here. – Rev. AM
  

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Fergus & Geronimo, Skrill Meadow. All Ages. 8 pm.

O'Callahan's Pub & Grill Key Peninsula. Steve Raible & The Newscasters. 8 pm.

Pastiche Wine Bar Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Two Plus Two. 7 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. John Stowell, Paul Meyers. All Ages. 8 pm. $8-$12.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Cancer Benefit, featuring Coldshot: A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughn. 9 pm.

Varsity Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Aces Up CD Release Party, with Zach Hinson, Andy Shofner & The Ruckus. 7:30 pm.

• Got some country in you? Antibiotics not clearing it up? Well, it might be time for you to mosey on down to the Varsity Grill in Tacoma, as Saturday night serves up a celebration of the band Aces Up - and the group's new record, Backyard Superstars - to be released on Exact Records. Openers Zach Hinson and Andy Shofner and the Ruckus sweeten the deal. This one's probably worth a clean pair of jeans - but it's probably not required. — Michael Swan
  

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound