LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT, FRIDAY, NOV. 9 >>>

Amocat Cafe Tacoma - Triangle District. Amocat Live! with Emilie Kaye Peine, Micaela Cooley, Francis Kang, Chuck Wayne, Mitchell James. All Ages. 7 pm.

Backstage Bar & Grill Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. The Brew Birthday Bash, with In The Between, Just Dirt. 8 pm.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Cork! A Wine Bar Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Cork's First Annual Storytellers Series, featuring Dave Hannon. 8 pm.

Forza Coffee Company DuPont. Erik Thomas. All Ages. 7 pm.

Forza Coffee Company Fircrest. John Leonard. All Ages. 7 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Kim Archer Band. 7:30 pm. $7-$10.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Babysitter, Happy Noose. 9 pm.

The Lochs Tacoma - Downtown. Afrodisiacs. 7 pm. $8.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Black Beat Blue. All Ages. 8 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Combo. 7 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Barleywine Revue Album Release Party, with Cottonwood Cutups. 9 pm.

• Barleywine Revue credits itself simply as a bluegrass band, but to hear it, the band somehow transforms that format into something more. Depending on whose lead vocals you get (in a very egalitarian move, the members trade off lead vocal duty), you'll either find yourself in a jumping jam like "Sunshine in Tacoma," a Fleet Foxes-esque reverie like "Burb on the Rocks" or the stately sway of "Ghost Woman Blues." You might even find yourself in the murky politics of "Aliens," which takes a (hopefully) tongue-in-cheek look at the issue of immigration and, specifically, those who obsess over ending it. Regardless of which Barleywine Revue you encounter, you're guaranteed to find flawless harmonies and impeccable musicianship. Barleywine Revue will celebrate the release of its new album with fellow bluegrass mavericks, the Cottonwood Cutups. — Rev. Adam McKinney
  

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia - Downtown. Hillstomp, The Oly Mountain Boys. All Ages. 9 pm. $5-$10.

• Armed with washboards, spoons, buckets and banjos, slide and stomp, the junkbox blues duo Henry Christian, guitar, and John Johnson, buckets - bring an assault of high-energy backwoods punk. How the hell does a person yell harmonious twang without sounding a like drunken hillbilly? Maybe the duo do sound like drunken hillbillies. For this talented twosome, it's charming. Rumor has it Hillstomp will play new songs. "They're a lot of fun," says promoter Andy Geertson. "Hillstomp has missed their fans and are excited to get playing again." Local draw Oly Mountain Boys will perform its bluegrass flair. — Nikki McCoy
  

Spar Cafe Olympia - Downtown. Paul Mauer. 8 pm. NC.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. Space Band. 9 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin tribute). 9 pm.

LINK: More live music and DJs tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Key Peninsula Civic Center Vaughn. Bottom Line Duo, featuring Spencer & Traci Hoveskeland. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

Red Lion Hotel Olympia. The Russ Hubley Trio. 8 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Ben Union, Whiskey Syndicate, Res Deus. 8 pm. $7-$10.

Cryptatropa Bar Olympia - Downtown. Dark Disco, with Ghost Feet, DJ Genie Factory, DJ Komakatt, DJ Hobess, DJ Wetdik. 10 pm. donations.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Fabulous Downey Brothers, Glass Elevator. 9 pm.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Hillbilly Jesus. 9 pm.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Maurice The Fish Presents: The Frosted Hearts, The Vaudeville Gallows, Stripe Valley Sway, North Oaks Project, Jeff Ross. All Ages. 8 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Moss Brothers, Taist of Iron. 9 pm.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. SweetKiss Momma. 9 pm.

The Lochs Tacoma - Downtown. Vattnet Viskar. All Ages. 7 pm. $8.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes. 7-10 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Doc Hollywood's Delorean Music Release Party, with Hollywood Kill Krew, Double B, Hopped Up Metaforesters, George Dopez, Visualnoize. 9 pm. NC.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Correo Aereo. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Stay Grounded reggae. 8 pm.

What else?

LINK: More live music and DJs Nov. 3 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. James Coates. 7 pm.

The Conquering Lion Tacoma - South. High Ceiling, Dub Lounge International. 8 pm. $25.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Jay Barz, Motamouth Jones, Chris Crazie, John Crown, From Heros to Legends. All Ages. 5 pm. $5. Psycho Rehab, Sanction VIII, Demon Dogs, Pukesnake. 9:30 pm. $5.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Lawless Birthday Bash, with AKA featuring Nathalie, Hollywood Kill Krew, Pawz One, Double B. 9 pm. NC.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. VIII Days Clean. All Ages. 8 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. The Dukes Of Jazz. All Ages. 6 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Squirt, Resident Kings, DJ Kahuna. 9 pm.

• A very long time ago I was on the radio. I used to rig contests so folks in Tacoma would win - I felt I owed them something. Tacoma was the first place to embrace my early '90s rock outfit Squirt. We didn't make it big or anything, but Tacomans were the first to understand, and that was huge for nobodies. Squirt had many ties to Tacoma. Our guitar player Eric "The Swede" Olson was from Tacoma. Lem Durant, the guy that booked Prosito (before it was The Central and the first Hell's Kitchen) was the first person to ever approach us for a gig. Squirt's first release on a compact disc (mind you getting a CD made in '93 cost a deep left nut) was courtesy of 253 label Wrecking Ball. And the first "cool" band to embrace/befriend us was Girl Trouble. It was different. Tacomans were ... nice. We were an odd lot. Read guest writer Dick Rossetti's full story on his band Squirt in the Music section at weeklyvolcano.com. – Dick Rossetti

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia. Polyrhythmics, Snarky Puppy. All Ages. 9 pm.

• Just in time to celebrate 4/20, Andyinoly Productions brings in another stellar show. This time at the Olympia Ballroom, and all-ages, Polyrythmics will be keeping heads happy with their funky, world-beat music. According to dictionary.com, polyrhythm is the simultaneous occurrence of sharply contrasting rhythms within a composition. According to me, (and thousands of fans,) Polyrythmics is the simultaneous occurrence of badassness. This eight-piece ensemble jams long and hard, with interesting twists and tweaks to keep the mind engaged and the body moving. From the band's webpage, "Polyrhythmics have quickly gained notoriety playing to packed clubs and festival crowds all over the Northwest. Their self-titled and now sold-out EP released in 2010 has been charting on radio playlists up and down the West Coast." Snarky Puppy will also play this funky 4/20 party. Featuring members of Snoop Dogg's and Erykah Badu's band, this band hits the same fusion, international vibe as Polyrythmics. So light one up, cruise to the Olympia Ballroom and let this incredible line-up do the rest. – Nikki Talotta
  

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Jerry Miller Jam. 9 pm. NC.

Tempest Lounge Tacoma - Hilltop. Nick Deonigi. 7:30 pm. NC.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Emma's Revolution. All Ages. 8 pm. $12-$17.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Stony Balony, Vigilante Justice, Inebriator, Ranchero. 9 pm.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. VIII Days Clean. All Ages. 8 pm.

LINK: More live music in the South Sound

HELP US FIND THE SEXIEST PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Once again, the Weekly Volcano is unleashing The Sexy Issue, giving one and all the chance to gaze at the sexiest people in the South Sound - as voted on by all of you, our dear readers. The great thing about the Volcano's annual Sexy Issue, if we do say so ourselves, is how it manages to prove, year after year, that you don't have to be on a Kia Super Bowl ad to be smoking hot. Our annual Sexy Issue is the Weekly Volcano's way of showcasing the South Sound's sexiest denizens - and by denizens we don't mean celebrities; we're talking about regular dudes and dudettes who just happen to look sexy as hell when taking us on test drives, trimming our meat or brewing our beer. These folks can be just as hot - and a hell of a lot more accessible, theoretically - as anyone you typically see on TV and in magazines. 

This year, we are asking you to nominate the person who makes you all hot and bothered in the following categories: Actor/Actress, Artist, Brewer, Karaoke Host, Lead singer, Lawyer, Butcher, Car Salesperson, Blogger and Personal Trainer.

On Thursday, June 7, the Weekly Volcano will publish The Sexy Issue, immortalizing the sexy, chosen few forever.

Help us find them.

Voting ends May 11 at 5 p.m. - so help the Weekly Volcano find the South Sound's hottest citizens. Vote today!

Vote for the South Sound's sexiest people

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Washington State Lawmakers: Gov. Chris Gregoire and top lawmakers do not have a deal to close a roughly half-billion-dollar shortfall for the two-year budget cycle ending June 2013. Senate Republicans will not take up the budget until lawmakers approve a series of policy changes in state government. (News Tribune)

Gig Harbor Principal vs. Pesky Car: Ted Strong pleads not guilty to DUI, stating his car was acting aggressively, which caused him to rear-end another car. (News Tribune)

Behind The Fred Meyer Door: A woman is suing Fred Meyer claiming she was the victim of a videotaped sexual assault, racial discrimination, and "extremely vulgar and sexual comments" while employed at a warehouse in Fife. (Daily Weekly)

Tulsa Shooting Suspects Are No Longer Suspects: They confessed. (CNN)

Buffet Rule: President Obama will push his proposal to ensure the wealthiest Americans pay at least 30 percent of their income in federal taxes. (The New York Times)

Fish From Hell: It's terrorizing Maryland. (Time)

IKEA To Build Entire Neighborhood: Wouldn't want to put that together. (Neatorama)

Hell Yes We Found This: Greatest breakup songs of the 1980s. (Nerve)

The Hipster Games: Hunger Games video spoof goes viral. (Yahoo)

Hot Dog Stuffed Pizza Crust: f you're anything like us, you're equal parts appalled and intrigued. (grist)

Beatniks!

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Capitol Theater Olympia - Downtown. Hell's Belles (all-female AC/DC tribute), Zero Down, Resident Kings. All Ages. 7:30 pm. $10-$15.

• For 12 years, Hell's Belles have been belting out the timeless classics of AC/DC. All the raunch and flair and sexiness of Angus Young and the rest of AC/DC are channeled beautifully through the five females of Hell's Belles. Every throaty lyric and bass line and rock stance is performed with the energy and exuberance of professionals. These women truly love what they do and it shows. They have not only partied with members of their idol band - but have toured extensively across the globe. Luckily for the Puget Sound, they will be making a stop at Olympia's Capitol Theater. The hype on Capitol Theater's web page reads, "There's not a HELL'S BELLES audience that hasn't been blown away by the raw power, attention to AC/DC details, and undeniable appeal that these belles deliver with undying devotion....It's an all out rock-n-roll assault that leaves you both satisfied and begging for more." - Nikki Talotta

Forza Coffee Fircrest. The Kari Ehli Band. 5-8 pm. Tin Man. 8 pm.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Like Lepers, Few Words For Comfort, Seeya, Space Bandit, To Die For. All Ages. 5 pm. $6-$10. Boomman & Mobbin CD Release Show. 9:30 pm. NC.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Midnight Salvage Co. CD Release Party with James Coates, China Davis. 7:30 pm. $6-$8.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Silver Dollar Circus, Cell Phone Parking Lot. All Ages. 9 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Moss Brothers. All Ages. 6 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Trio. 7 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Squeak and Squawk Music Festival featuring Derek Kelley and the Speedwobbles, The Sivas, The Riffbrokers. 9 pm. $5-$7.

• Sure, the Mayans had a lot to say about 2012, but one thing they forgot to mention was that it would reckon the return of Tacoma's Squeak and Squawk Music Festival, running April 5-9. When Squeak and Squawk originator Sean Alexander left Tacoma for New York, this third installment went through a spin-the-bottle style search for the right person to helm the ship, landing on Jena Stedtler, who was soon joined by the Weekly Volcano's own Rev. Adam McKinney. Read Jenni Prange Boran's full feature on the Squeak and Squawk Music Festival in the Music section at weeklyvolcano.com.

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Crack Sabbath. 8 pm. $5-$10.

• Andy Geertson, who Volcano readers voted the best bartender in Olympia, has branched out his music booking skills, creating Andyinoly Productions. This weekend, he presents, along with the Royal Lounge, jazz music moguls Crack Sabbath. Smooth, powerful, emotional, these are just a few words that come to mind when listening to this unique band. WTF, no way, and really?! Also come to mind when I realize that these guys, who have graced the stage with Les Claypool and Wolves in The Throne Room, also pull off cover songs from James Brown and Nirvana, with a freshness and style that only a jazz band with the name Crack Sabbath can. Says Geertson, "Crack Sabbath is comprised of some of the best well established jazz musicians in Seattle ... a song will seamlessly go from a flawlessly flowing jazz tune into a full blown heavy metal grind ... see them once and you're hooked." – NT
  

The Space Tacoma - Triangle District. Squeak and Squawk Music Festival featuring Santee, Webelos, A Leaf, I Low. All Ages. 6 pm. $5-$7. Read Jenni Prange Boran's full feature on the Squeak and Squawk Music Festival in the Music section at weeklyvolcano.com.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Jerry Miller Jam. 9 pm. NC.

Tempest Lounge Tacoma - Upper Tacoma. Rafael Tranquilino, Farko Dozumov. 7:30 pm. NC.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. The Honey Dewdrops. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Backstage Bar & Grill Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Great White, Guns of Nevada, Black Diamond. 8 pm. $25.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes. 8 pm.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Among Thieves, What Wings, OnceHeld. All Ages. 5 pm. $8-$10. Working Class Artists Tour. 9:30 pm. $10.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Current Swell, Flowmotion, The True Spokes. 9 pm. $10.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Larry Mitchell, The Rikk Beatty Band, Digital Chemistry. All Ages. 8 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Fang Chia CD Release. All Ages. 8 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness Nite Of Covers, featuring Colonies, Tex, Xylophones, Burle Haggard, Monogamy Party, Piko Panda, Smililng Politely, Michael Cooper, Kye Alfred Hillig, Garret Chavis. 6 pm.

• An album as astonishingly overblown as the '90s Smashing Pumpkins landmark, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, is uniquely suited for the astonishingly overblown treatment being given to it on Saturday. The over two-hour, 28-song concept album will be covered in its entirety by a cavalcade of local artists and bands. After the bands are done fighting over who gets "1979" and "Tonight, Tonight," the rest of the album will be divvied up between Tex, Colonies, Monogamy Party, Xylophones, Piko Panda, and members of Canon Canyon, Destruction Island, and Oh Dear! and more. Such a wide range of musical voices (from the whacked punk of Monogamy Party to the sincere singer-songwriter tones of Piko Panda) is ideal for presenting the sprawling sounds of Smashing Pumpkins and the band's towering double album. - Rev. Adam McKinney

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Fingertips. 8 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Katya Chorover. All Ages. 8 pm. $8-$12.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. New York Death Metal Fest, with Nocturnal Slaughter, Truculence, God Denied, Future Disorder, American Wrecking Company. 9 pm.

Urban Onion Restaurant and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Benefit For Capital City Pride, with Greta Jane Quartet. 8 pm.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR MARCH 25 <<<

Sixty-four South Sound breakfast joints were selected and seeded by readers throughout February for the Tournament of Breakfast, which is now 11 days into the competition. Brackets have been wheat pasted on buildings, sleep has been lost, friendships have ended and back fat has emerged. Everyone is discussing Benedict variations and oatmeal thickness. It's been more fun than a bowl of Ordinary K.

Yesterday's Tournament of Breakfast Results

Here were the match-ups:

Alfred's Cafe (Tacoma) vs. Ricky J's Restaurant (Puyallup)

Poodle Dog (Fife) vs. Johnny's Dock (Tacoma) 

Puget Sound Pizza (Tacoma) vs. The Hub (Tacoma)

A Renaissance Cafe (Tacoma) vs. Dirty Oscar's Annex (Tacoma)

Analysts agree, a key factor in determining Tournament of Breakfast success is experience. Restaurants playing in their first tournament game often have that "deer in the headlights" look. Meanwhile, experienced teams seem to be able to hold their composure in any situation. Alfred's Café and Bubble Room made it to the second round in last year's Tournament of Pizza. The Tacoma Dome District restaurant fell to eventual pizza champion Katie Downs. You can't buy that experience. And although Ricky J's has an amazing hangover breakfast, at least according to its loyal fans, experience catapulted Alfred's café to the Scrambled 16 with a whopping 70 percent of the votes.

We can only imagine the heated conversations last night around the bridge card game tables: "Confound it, Johnny's Dock's Dungeness crab and shrimp omelet is leaps and bounds above the Poodle Dog's blasted bennies. The Poodle Dog serves a cream waffle? What in tarnation is a cream waffle?" In a couple months, all will be forgotten and friendships will mend. This retro breakfast match-up was close until the final hour of voting. In the end, the Poodle Dog took the game with 52.8 percent of the votes. It was a fun game to watch.

Another fun game to watch was the battle of neighboring breakfast-serving joints Puget Sound Pizza and The Hub. The Hub grabbed a huge lead after the opening buzzer. In an era when star dishes often spend just a year or two on special menus before heading to the main menu, the Hub's breakfast pizzas are rarities. Both have seen their roles increase each year, as they have grown from doughy ideas fighting for minutes to chiseled dishes that, like yesterday, have seemingly willed The Hub into championship contention. Even with an amazing afternoon run by Puget Sound Pizza, no doubt due to its noon-awaking crowd, The Hub, behind its star breakfast dishes, managed to eek out a win with 53 percent of the votes. Both restaurants can hold heads high today.

A blowout Tournament of Breakfast game is usually over by 4:20 p.m. Dirty Oscar's Annex's beatdown of A Renaissance Café yesterday was over in the opening minutes. After scoring the first 18 votes of the game, DOA ran away with a 110-vote victory over the Museum District cafe. It is the first time in Tournament of Breakfast history a restaurants has beaten an opponent by 100 points or more. This No. 2 seed has analysts running back to think-tanks.

Let's take a look at the stack. The following are advancing to the next round:

• Alfred's Cafe and Bubble Room
  
• Poodle Dog
  
• The Hub
  
• Dirty Oscar's Annex
  

The daily breakfast battles here on Spew are sponsored by Shakabrah Java on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

OK, let's check out today's Second Round breakfast battles. Vote for one breakfast joint per battle. Voting for today's breakfast battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR MARCH 23 <<<

Now it's getting exciting. The syrup is really starting to spread, and the batter is getting so thick you could cut it with a knife (OK, so that's a horrible analogy ...).

Point is: This is serious.

Today the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Breakfast officially kicks off its second round, meaning only 32 South Sound breakfast joints remain, and the competition is as hot as ever. Who will be crowned champ on April 2? The path to breakfast greatness starts today.

Here's a look at today's Tournament of Breakfast action and a recap of yesterday's closing of round one. Shake some powdered sugar on it if you know what's good for you and get rolling.

Yesterday's Tournament of Breakfast Results

Here were the match-ups:

Alfred's Cafe (Tacoma) vs. Scoreboard Pub (Federal Way)

Elmer's Pancake and Steakhouse (Tacoma) vs. Ricky J's Restaurant (Tacoma) 

Mystic Mocha (Graham) vs. Poodle Dog (Fife)

Original Pancake House (Puyallup) vs. Johnny's Dock (Tacoma)

In basketball terminology, Alfred's Cafe was on fire from the three-pioint line. It shot 72 percent from the arc, the same percentage points it scored above the Scoreboard Pub at the final buzzer. What's most impressive about Alfred's win? It didn't have to use its Bubble Room Lounge in the victory.

In the simplest of terms, Elmer's Pancake and Steakhouse supporters failed to turn out for the Thursday competition, allowing die-hard breakfast aficionados to propel Ricky J's in Puyallup into a battle with Alfred's Cafe on March 24.

In an outcome that's no surprise for anyone who's experienced the massive fan base of the Poodle Dog, Fife's favorite breakfast joint dominated the polls, with 60 votes over Graham's Mystic Mocha. The Poodle Dog moves on to face Johnny's Dock on March 24.

Holy crap! Turnout for this contest was like the turnout at a kick-the-banker booth at the county fair! Both the Original Pancake House and Johnny's Dock did their darndest to mobilize their base, and though the Original Pancake House ran out to an early lead, Johnny's Dock fans had the stamina to carry through the evening and snatch victory from Puyallup's, well, original pancake house. Johnny's Dock moves into the second round with 55 percent of the votes.

Let's take a look at the stack. The following are advancing to the next round:

• Alfred's Cafe
  
• Ricky J's Restaurant
  
• Poodle Dog
  
• Johnny's Dock
  

The daily breakfast battles here on Spew are sponsored by Shakabrah Java on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

OK, let's check out today's Second Round breakfast battles. Vote for one breakfast joint per battle. Voting for today's breakfast battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR MARCH 22 <<<

Low and behold, today marks the closing of the Tournament of Breakfast's first round. After today's battles the bracket will officially be down to only 32 area breakfast joints, and the competitions are getting fiercer by the minute. Honestly, if it gets any more exciting we'll start to understand why Dick Vitale is always yelling. Plus we'll have serious back fat.

Without wasting anyone's time with pancake issues, let's look at yesterday's results AND today's Weekly Volcano Tournament of Breakfast action, which comes from the East Region.

Yesterday's Tournament of Breakfast Results

Here were the match-ups:

Shakabrah Java (Tacoma) vs. Laura's Bayview (Tacoma)

Lobster Shop South (Tacoma) vs. C.I. Shenanigans (Tacoma) 

Masa (Tacoma) vs. Quickie Too (Tacoma)

Harmon Brewery (Tacoma) vs. Hob Nob (Tacoma)

Honestly, we're not sure why Shakabrah Java, a number one seed in this tournament, was allowed to sponsor the Tournament of Breakfast (other than the obvious reason that we need the hard cold cash), but what we do understand is Shakabrah has a following - so strong of a following, in fact, that the longtime breakfast player was able to easily defeat Laura's Bayview Cafe in yesterday's action in what amounted to a blowout. Shakabrah, after scoring 81 percent of the vote yesterday in a resounding victory, moves on to the second round. Hey Shakabrah! Thanks for help making this competition possible. Truly.

Unexpectedly, Lobster Shop vs. Shenanigans was an epic battle ... the kind of thing Tournament of Breakfast "instant classics" are made of. A surprisingly low scoring affair, with much of the action on defense, the eighth seeded Lobster Shop South and the ninth seeded C.I. Shenanigans were in a dead heat - literally tied - going into the final hour of the competition. Back at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters, Tournament of Breakfast officials frantically discussed what to do in the case of a tie? Overtime? Coin flip? See which establishment could deliver a Denver omelet to our Lakewood office the fastest? Luckily, after a late social media push on our part (we were checking our Twitter anyway ...) C.I. Shenanigans edged out the win, securing exactly 51.6 percent of the vote. This one will go down in the history books.

The Sixth Avenue Mexican restaurant Masa quickly comes to the lips of many when discussing the best South Sound breakfasts. So, perhaps it's no surprise that the restaurant frequented by families and hangover victims alike did serious damage in yesterday's action, kicking Quickie Too to the curb while garnering a respectable 62 percent of the vote. Impressive victory since Quickie Too was tied with Masa at 1:46 p.m. Masa moves on as a breakfast to reckon with in later rounds of Tournament of Breakfast action. Hold your head high Quickie Too.

Across from Wright Park, the Hob Nob offers a comprehensive breakfast menu with delectable specialties and serves it all day. Favorites include the Dungeness Crab Omelette, fresh home-baked biscuits and country "cream sausage" gravy, flavored with fennel and John's seasonings. The Hob Nob held a small lead the entire day of voting over The Harmon. Tournament of Breakfast analysts suspect the nearby D- to M-Streets Sounder construction project may have kept voters out of the Harmon camp, preferring the peaceful scenery of the popular Wright Park. Then again, those same analysts typically are shoved out of the Harmon after last call. Either way, the voters have chosen, and the Hob Nob moves into the second round to take on Masa March 26.

Let's take a look at the stack. The following are advancing to the next round:

• Shakabrah Java
  
• C.I. Shenanigans
  
• Masa
  
• Hob Nob Restaurant and Lounge
  

The daily breakfast battles here on Spew are sponsored by Shakabrah Java on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

OK, let's check out today's First Round breakfast battles. Vote for one breakfast joint per battle. Voting for today's breakfast battles ends at 11:45 p.m.