GOODNESS IN STORE IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

As the saying goes, this week's Volcano music section is definitely better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Of course, most things are better than being poked in the eye by a sharp stick, so that's not really saying much. Suffice to say, the music section is still pretty awesome ...

Here's a look at the musical goodness in store in print and online.

SATCHEL

Formed in the early '90s, Satchel practiced a crunchy, occasionally fractured indie rock that spent as much time delivering grungy riffs as it did tasty grooves. Frontman Shawn Smith's vocals were suited for a number of different styles - capable of growling ferocity and smooth R&B crooning. - Rev. Adam McKinney

GRAVE BABIES

Grave Babies is the brainchild of Danny Wahfeldt, an ironic-mullet-sporting Illinois emigrant who wrote, performed and produced Deathface entirely on his own. - Jason Baxter

COBIRDS UNITE

Headed by longtime Seattle rock fixture Rusty Willoughby, this new project is a far cry from Willoughby's earlier work, be it in the neo-psychedelic Pure Joy or the power-pop bliss of Flop. Cobirds Unite make alt-folk ruminations that call to mind lavender hour jam sessions on a country road - that moment just when the sun is about to fall from sight, and the temperature lowers to just below what's comfortable. - Rev. AM

SUBDIVISION STUDIOS

Subdivision Studios is quite possibly the best thing ever to hit Olympia for up-and-coming hip-hop artists - at least when it comes to finding a legitimate place to record music or finding top-of-the-line production. On April 1, Smoke of Oldominion (Matt Smokovich), Booz E Collinz (Rolando Guajardo) and Chonie Diego (Aaron Lopez) combined ideas, efforts and powers to open the brand-new studio just north of Olympia, with the intention of helping improve the overall quality of music coming out of the South Sound. - Nic Leonard

SECOND FAMIILY

Second Family consists of two MCs, Element and NoQuezt. When the duo dropped Caskets and Funeral Homes in 2009 the whole city was proud. The streets lifted Second Family and the album high on their shoulders. It was clear this group had what it takes. Back then most listeners believed Element carried the lyrical weight of the group. Well, after Second Family's new mixtape release, Sleep Deprivation, it's clear NoQuezt has stepped up his game! - Josh Rizeberg

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