My first experience with Rachel Ratner was in Austin, Texas, watching her perform with her band Butts. The two-piece consisted of Ratner and Shannon Perry performing wonderfully goofy punk songs that rarely, if ever, passed the one-minute mark. Topics included how awesome alcohol is ("Alcohol") and how not awesome it is to find yourself in a bathroom without toilet paper ("Wiggle Drip").

Soon, Butts disbanded, but Ratner found a new outlet for her idiosyncratic punk in a three-piece called Wimps. Joined by Matt Nyce and Dave Ramm, Wimps comes across as the next logical step from Butts. The songs are actual song-length, the writing is a little more conceptual, and that full-bodied trio rounds out the sounds quite nicely.

Recently, I spoke with Ratner for my Weekly Volcano cover story about the Java Jive, but due to space limitations, I wasn't able to include much. Here is our conversation, where we touch on Wimps' new EP, the strange reviews they get and how one of their songs got on This American Life.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: It's a pretty big couple of weeks for Wimps. You're releasing your new EP, which is already online, and you had a song on This American Life.

RACHEL RATNER: Yeah, that was crazy! We didn't expect that. It wasn't something that we got a heads up about, or anything. One of our friends just called our bass player, and she's like, "Did you hear?!" And we were like, "What? Did someone die?" She was like, "You're on This American Life!" We were very excited. Don't know how that came about. They just knew about us, or found us somehow, I guess.

VOLCANO: Yeah, that's crazy. I was listening to that episode when you guys came on.

RATNER: Really? It was very surprising to hear us on there.

VOLCANO: Tell me about the transition from Butts to Wimps.

RATNER: Butts had ended in May of 2012. (Laughs) Matt Nyce, who plays bass, is here, and he said, "Butts exploded." But that's not true. We didn't explode, but we had broken up as a band, and then I was missing playing guitar. So, I was talking to Matt, who was missing playing bass, and we thought it would be fun to be in a band. We had been in a band before that, with Keith (Whiteman) from Grave Babies - who we're playing that show at the Jive with - so we knew each other for a while. We needed a drummer, and Dave Ramm happened to be moving into Matt's house, so it was very convenient. He's an awesome drummer, and he was going to be living there. It came together pretty quick, and before you knew it we were playing shows.

>>> Rachel Ratner of Wimps went to school in Tacoma, went to Java Jive shows but Saturday will be the first time she plays the Jive. Press photo

VOLCANO: If I remember correctly, there weren't any Butts songs over a minute long. How is it different writing for Wimps?

RATNER: Some things are the same and some things are different. Everyone's really good at writing music and is very creative and everyone sort of brings their own part to the table. So, in Butts, Shannon wrote all the drums, and I wrote all the guitar, and then we came up with our own lyrics. So, it's pretty similar in Wimps. The difference is maybe that everyone in this band has been playing music for much longer. Everyone's been a musician for ten-plus years. I'm a lot better at guitar than I was. So, we get to write slightly longer songs, like two-and-a-half minutes. But it's still the same in that it's just friends who enjoy playing together.

VOLCANO: This is sort of related to the This American Life thing. There's a video of you guys poorly translating a French review of your record.

RATNER: (Laughs) Uh huh.

VOLCANO: Do you ever find it strange the weird places that you get attention from, as a band?

RATNER: Totally! Yeah, I think we're in a weird spot, because we're definitely from a punk background, we've all played in punk bands. But we don't really, I mean... We sort of crash scenes, you know? Similar to being on This American Life. Or, I mean, we've been getting written up in places like France and Spain. It's pretty exciting to see who ends up finding out about us.

Luckily for you, dear reader, there are more ways than ever for you to find out about Wimps. Pick up their new EP, Party at the Wrong Time, hear "Repeat" on the "Stuck in the Middle" episode of This American Life, and catch them at the world Famous Bob's Java Jive for a rare Tacoma performance Saturday.

WIMPS, w/ Grave Babies, Full Moon Radio, Wild Berries, 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1, Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, $5, 253.475.9843

See Also

The return of Bob's Java Jive

Full Moon Radio is now a quartet

Marvel "true believers" grew up thrilling to the adventures of the mighty Thor, a Norse demigod who bashed supervillains from the Nine Realms with his Asgardian war hammer, Mjolnir. Later, millions of young geeks volunteered their services to the American armed forces, but some never lost their childhood love of comic book heroes.

For the last eight years, Marvel Entertainment has given back to the military community by offering limited-edition comic books exclusively to servicemembers through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service. This year, in 32 action-packed pages, writer William Harms and penciler Tom Grummett advance that tradition by launching Thor into battle against the bloodthirsty Frost Giant, Ymir. This special issue, "Deep Freeze," features a cover by Walt Simonson, a legendary artist whose efforts on Star Slammers, Thor, and Fantastic Four have been collector favorites for decades. Its frozen battleground: Stark Tower in New York City. Its all-too-mortal protagonist: former British airman Edwin Jarvis, now employed as a butler by that stalwart band of heroes, the Avengers. Excited yet?

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service offers quality services and merchandise at low prices, while funding operations in support of military morale, recreation, and welfare. "All of us at Marvel owe a debt of gratitude to our real heroes, the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces," Marvel editor Bill Rosemann acknowledges. "(This is) the least we can do for the men and women who bravely fight for the freedoms we all hold so dear." Thor: Deep Freeze is suitable for kids six and older, and available free of charge to service members and their families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Movie sequel Thor: The Dark World arrives on Blu-ray and DVD Feb. 25.

Once again the gallery at South Puget Sound Community College is filled with artists' postcards. This year the theme is "It's the Water," the old Olympia Beer slogan. Nearly 300 works by 76 artists are on display at The Gallery at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts.

Weekly Volcano art critic Alec Clayton reviewed the Fine Art Postcard Exhibition:

One card that I found to be particularly appealing for reasons I can't begin to understand is one by Mark Holland that has a hand-drawn postmark partially covered by a 33-cent stamp with a picture of an apple. Glued onto it is a piece of paper with the words "I Love You."

You can read Clayton's full review of the show here.

There's a chance to take home the original art in the show. Each piece was donated by the artist for the exhibition's silent auction, open now. Bidding will be open until 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, the exhibit's closing reception. The closing reception begins at 6 p.m. At the end of the reception, winners will be announced and artwork can be taken home.

"IT'S THE WATER FINE ART POSTCARD EXHIBITION," noon to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, through Feb. 21, Kenneth J Minnaert Center for the Arts Gallery, South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Rd. SW. Olympia, 360.596.5527 

The Army announced today that it will release three public service announcements over the next year to increase awareness of DoD-issued gold star and next-of-kin lapel pins. The first PSA will screen on Fox Sports a half-hour before kickoff of Super Bowl XLVIII

According to an Army IMCOM release, "The pins are designed to signify the loss of a loved one in support of our nation. Although the gold star pins have been in existence for decades, many Americans are unfamiliar with their meaning. The PSAs were developed to help educate and inform the public of the significance of the pins."

"It's heartbreaking to think that a mom wearing a gold star might have someone ask her, 'What a beautiful pin, where do I get one?'," said Donna Engeman, a gold star wife who manages the Survivor Outreach Services program for the Army.

"We decided we had to do something to ensure the nation-the world-recognizes what that pin really signifies," Engeman said.

For the full story on the DoD-issued gold star and next-of-kin lapel pins, click here.

GRAB A CUP & READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 2.1.14 >>>

Throughout the next 60 days, senior Air Force leaders will re-examine the way ahead for the Air Force's nuclear mission.

In a changing security and fiscal environment, the Defense Department will seek to collaborate more closely with European allies, especially to help build the capabilities of other global partners, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said this morning.

Four afghan soldiers killed in ambush.

Syria talks end first round, government not committed to return.

Marine units that specialize in crisis response could be based in Africa in coming years as military leaders work with host nations that have shown interest in the U.S. posturing troops in their countries.

The state of defense is solidly ill-defined and in flux. And the brass knows it.

Two House committees are holding hearings next week to examine al Qaeda's resurgence.

Report: Russia surges in global arms sales.

Joe Biden took a lot of grief for suggesting Iraq should be partitioned. He might just get the last laugh.

The Defense Department will provide security and entertainment for Sunday's Super Bowl at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Army is expanding its resilience training to include teenagers in military and civilian Army families.

Air Force singer headed to Hollywood stage on American Idol.

When two Dakar-based photographers recreated with some familiar on-screen moments,they created a response - and a backlash - they never imagined.

Turner Classic Movies' "31 Days of Oscar" screens Oscar-nominated flicks like Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington uninterrupted on TV - and that's just on the first day.

The heroic Bill Murray flew into the Late Show with David Letterman dressed as Peter Pan.

The 10 albums you need to hear in February.

Think stakes are already high for this year's Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks? Two craft brewpubs have made the game even more interesting.

What's best to drink with pizza and football?

See a street legal Little Tikes Car that can zoom up to 70mph.

Get ready for frustration!

SATURDAY, FEB. 1 2014 >>>

1. What began as a collective of people working to make a sustainable venue out of the old brick-and-mortar warehouse down on Court C has transformed into a production company that specializes in bringing unique shows to unusual places. In this regard, the Warehouse has been an unequivocal success. Helmed by Adam Ydstie, Katie Lowery and Doug Stoeckicht, the Warehouse has grown in such a way that the mere mention of its name dredges up an association - you know what someone means when they say there's a Warehouse show coming up. And there is a Warehouse show coming up ... tonight at 8 p.m. when Star Anna, Josiah Johnson with Carleigh Aikins, and Bryan John Appleby gather inside the Immanuel Presbyterian Church for the "Candle Lit Show." Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Doug Stoeckicht for the scoop on what the Warehouse has in store for the new year, including the Candle Lit Show Feb. 1.

2. Every time we have our tarot read the Nine of Swords always turns up. It's the charming picture of a woman in bed; there are nine swords hung on the wall behind her and she is sobbing. Coincidence? Or a chilling presentiment from the other side? To find out, we will stop by the Olympia Intuitive Arts Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Urban Onion to chat with energy healers, clairvoyants counselors, tarot readers, astrologists - anybody, just so that woman stops her damn crying.

3. Bars aren't just for getting drunk anymore. These days, South Sound pubs offer more activities than a cruise ship. Tides Tavern wants to make it crystal clear its 11th annual Tapmaster program isn't about chugging yards of beer then taking a flying leap off the dock into the harbor. Instead, the popular watering hole in Gig Harbor wants you to enjoy its 16 taps through the month of February. Get to know each beer. Ask the beers questions. Ask the bartenders questions. If by happenstance you drink all 16 beers in the 28 days, the Tides will give you a nifty T-shirt and add your name to the wall of fame. No big whoop.

4. My Brother Kissed Mark Zuckerberg is a one-man play featuring writer-performer Peter Serko.  A true story, the production tells the tale of Peter's younger brother David's life and eventual death from AIDS at age 32. By incorporating voices and memories from those closest to David, the show paints an audiovisual, multilayered portrait of a stricken hero, the vibrant New York scene he inhabited, and the epidemic that failed to defeat either one. Catch it at 7 p.m. at the Dukesbay Theater, 508 S. Sixth Ave., in Tacoma.

5. Wimps play gloriously giddy punk music that comes in 2-minute fits and starts - and that giddiness landed their song, "Repeat," on a recent episode of This American Life. Grave Babies, signees to Hardly Art, make moody post-punk that provokes as much as it envelops in gauzy noise. The two bands join Full Moon Radio and Wild Berries at 8 p.m. at the Jive. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Java Jive booker Brandon Rowley and Rachel Ratner of the Wimps in the Music & Culture section.

LINK: Saturday, Feb. 1 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area