South Sound Sidekick series offers advice from experts living in the, well, South Sound. It posts every Friday. Today, BandBoi87 has advice on how to manage your band from your office cubicle and not get caught.

BandBoi87 writes,

Disclaimer: The methods described in this column are based on the personal experience of BandBoi87.  All information contained herein is not guaranteed to work for anyone else.  If you don't have access to a computer or smartphone at work you are fucked.  If you don't have autonomy at your job you are fucked. But if you are smart and don't act like a greedy pig ... it just might work.

I work a stupid job because my awesome band makes shitty money. I want the band to succeed but I also want to pay my bills and eat food regularly. This is some advice for how to run your band out of your 9-5 job without getting fired.  I'll be spewing more of this on Twitter @bandboi87 so go there.  More important than any one of these tips ... USE COMMON SENSE.  If it feels like a bad idea to work on your band's bio when you're racing to meet a deadline at work ... it probably is.

1. Use timed posting devices on social media sites.

Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress and many other social networking sites allow you to time the release of your posts.  So instead of waiting until the coast is clear at your job then Net-bombing the entire planet, you can plan your posts the day before or even weeks beforehand.  This is especially helpful for Twitter, where you can post all day long, say nothing, and yet feel as though something was accomplished.

2. Use your phone as much as possible.

If you have a smartphone, use it.  If you don't, get one.  If you need to send an email to a booker or check in on the status of your press kit, DO NOT send it through your work email.  There are so many reasons why this should be obvious but I'll explain.  Your band looks stupid if you're sending emails from your work email. Period. Nothing says "clueless weekend warrior" faster than this.  Unfortunately I've seen it happen! Your company can monitor your Internet and email usage any time.  Don't log in to company Wi-Fi with your phone or laptop either. Use your data plan and stay discreet.

3. Be nice at work.

This should be obvious. When you are operating like this, you can't be a prick. I mean, you CAN be a prick but you will be weeded out quickly. Treat your colleagues like gold, make them laugh, bring in food and make them truly like you. People who like you will cover your ass, overlook your wandering focus and possibly love your band if you treat them right.

4. Don't be a greedy pig.

Yes, your job sucks. Yes, they put a lot of pressure on you and it takes up a lot of the time you could be creative. But they are paying you to be there. Presumably, they'd like you to give a shit. Don't spend all your work time doing stuff for your band. Your colleagues, even the ones who support you, will lose patience when you make them wait to complete a task or don't follow through. Make sure you cover your bare minimums at all times. You want to be invisible. The fewer questions asked the better!!!

5.  Don't EVER call in sick after a gig.

So your band played a great set, sold a bunch of T-shirts and stayed till the end of the show, getting home at 3 a.m. ... and you have to get up at 6 a.m. for work! Do it. Nothing will ostracize you from your job quicker than unplanned absences that are clearly related to your band. With Facebook, Twitter, and so many other ways for people to check on you, make sure you're not giving them a reason to doubt you. 

Managing a band is a lot of work.  It can be done effectively at your 9-5 job but it's important to respect the people you work for. It's also important to realize that this is just the beginning.  If you achieve one-tenth of the success you're expecting, you will end up working much harder along the way! Treat people right, don't slack and it may just work out.       

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain and wind, hi 47, lo 39

Saturday: Showers, hi 47, lo 38

Sunday: More showers, hi 47, lo 42

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 22-SUNDAY, FEB. 24: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)

Tacoma Little Theatre's production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is more sketch comedy than highbrow Hamlet. It was written to appeal to Bardolaters and haters alike. The shtick is that three actors perform, or at least represent, all of Shakespeare's works in two hours, with dozens of rapid costume changes, unseemly asides and occasional improvisations for highbrow low-concept comedy. - Weekly Volcano

• Olympia Ballroom and First Christian Church, hours vary, $12, weekend pass $25, Olympia, www.olyoldtime.org

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 23: EREV RAV

The 2013 Best of Olympia Best Band winner Erev Rav performs Saturday night in downtown Oly. Erev Rav pulls together with Seattle's great Orkestar Zirkonium, a brass-and-drum band, for an unforgettable night of perfectly executed dance and rhythm. With Erev Rav weighing in at seven members, and Orkestar Zirkonium with 13, the layers of instruments, the influences of sound, and the personal style of each musician heard, will surely touch each listener's soul. - Nikki McCoy

• Olympia Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $10, $8/students, 116 Legion Way SE, Olympia, 360. 943.9242

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 23: MID-WINTER MASQUERADE BALL

The Mid-Winter Masquerade Ball is part of Tacoma City Ballet's Soiree Series, which weaves visual arts, live music, dance performances, and other artistic media into TCB's already artsy focus. Likewise, Mid-Winter Masquerade has set out to feature several art-astic aspects all under one roof. Ancillary rooms will host short film screenings and art installations and Tacoma City Ballet's company will perform throughout the evening. Each Soiree Series event zeroes in on a visual arts focus, so as not to overwhelm attendees with too much awesomeness all at once. - Kristin Kendle

• Merlino Arts Center, 7 p.m., $10, 508 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4219
  

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 23: FULL MOON RADIO

I've made it no secret that I'm a fan of the 2013 Best of Olympia Best New Band Full Moon Radio. Saturday night they will host a free EP release and one-year anniversary party at Le Voyeur. Copies of the new EP, Drop Off, will be available, and auditions for a roadie are still open for when the ladies head off on tour in March. Catch 'em with The Deep Wile and The Have At Its for a night of luscious rock 'n' roll. - NM

• Le Voyeur, 9 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 23: HORSE BODIES

Speaking of releases, Horse Bodies are celebrating its CD release at the 4th Ave Tav. With Elbow Coulee and I Like Science, the show will certainly entertain. Horse Bodies have been jamming for more than five years and continue to clippity-clop its way into the ears and music libraries of South Sound rock hounds. - NM

• 4th Ave Tavern, 9 p.m., $5, 210 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.1444

>>> SUNDAY, FEB. 24: ACADEMY AWARDS PARTY

The Grand Cinema's annual Academy Awards Party is THE way to celebrate the accomplishments of people way richer than you'll ever be, and this year the party is bigger and better than ever. While watching the Oscars on your HDTV with a bag of microwave popcorn might sound appealing, The Grand has you and your popcorn beat. The Oscars will be screened in two separate areas - one at Theatre on the Square and one in a private VIP area (that's sold out) at Studio 2. Both will have massive theater-sized screens. Aside from general cinema revelry, the party also includes other festivities, including a silent auction and a raffle in the lobby. Prizes include an autographed Felix Hernandez framed picture, Mariners tickets, local travel packages, dinner deals, museum passes and more. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. There's the annual Oscars winners' contest, too. - KK

• Theatre On The Square, 5 p.m., $30-435, 915 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.572.6062

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
This will be an insanely busy theater weekend! Not only did my wife and I accept roles in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood (Olympia Family Theater), but I get to watch and review Hamlet (South Puget Sound Community College), The Woman in Black (Lakewood Playhouse) and A Winter's Tale (Evergreen Shakespeare). Fancy!

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
Me and me wifey gonna be doing an all-day speaking gig at The Evergreen Education Association in Vancouver, Washington.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Music-riddled weekend for this girl. Friday, after bartending, it's Pet Products and Fitz of Depression at McCoy's and Mos Generator and Black Pussy at the Track House. Saturday, Full Moon Radio, All's Fair in Love and War Burlesque and research on street musicians, plus a peek at all the 4th Ave Tav. Olympia Ballroom and Pig Bar.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
I have a real busy Saturday. I'll be teaching my spoken-word/poetry class at D.A.S.H. Then I have two shows that night. First one is a spoken-word/poetry gig at the Colored Women's Club for the Black Collective. Then later that night, Beanz & Rize will be performing at The Loch's for the second Fresh Blends Reblended. Sunday I have my niece's baby shower to attend.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
Friday: Six words - Morgan and the Organ Donors return!

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
Saturday night I will be guest starring at Ramblin Jacks making pizzas followed by a Free Whiskey performance at the Track House in downtown Olympia.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Nightlife Correspondent
I'll be hitting Lakewood Playhouse for Woman in Black then Tacoma Little Theatre for Shakes-beer Abridged on Sunday. Oh and I'll be jumping into Commencement Bay for "Freezin for a Reason" Saturday morning to benefit Special Olympics.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

THE WORD FROM JOSH RIZEBERG >>>

Time flies! It feels like almost every other day I am sitting down to write a weekend show preview for ya'll. Well, it is my pleasure. Here are yo options for this weekend. ...

Tonight is the first Free Ya Mind open mic at the Colored Women's Club. Free Ya Mind is a movement started by Stella Haioulani that focusses on how art can affect positive social justice. Free Ya Mind has heavily been involved in the South Sound spoken word/poetry scene for well over 10 years. The Free Ya Mind open mics will be held at 6 p.m. the last Friday of the month. There is a sign-up sheet and a featured artist. There is also a $5 cover.

Also tonight, another hip-hop show will be held at 9 p.m. at the Central Ave Pub in Kent. This spot is becoming one of the busiest hip-hop venues around. D.J. Skrewball hosts tonight's show with Tim-Me, PME (Power Moves Ent), Tacnology Ent, Slapboy Muzik and D.J. Sith on the docket. The cover is $5.

Moving onto Saturday ... Crazy Monk from Tacoma will be in Olympia for a 7 p.m. benefit show helping low-income Olympians receive free bicycles. It's a house show, specially the Track House. Suggested donation is $5.

If ya want to go up North, hit Barboza for a set from John Crown with Jasper T. and the Homies. It's an early 7 p.m. show with a $10 cover. Tacoma super group ILLFIGHTYOU also has a show at The Comet in Seattle Saturday. The show starts at 9 p.m. and is only $5.

If ya trying to stay in Tacoma Saturday night, go to Fresh Blends Reblended at The Loch's. This show is $5 presale, $10 at the door and features D.J. Reign, D.J. Iceman, Auraswon, Lofton and Beanz & Rize. The show starts at 9 p.m. This is the second Fresh Blends Reblended.

Sunday, ya know what it is - See ya'll at the Graffiti Garages for the Northwest M.C. League Cyphers. Peaces Family!

LINK: Josh Rizeberg has the latest on Mr. Tak in his What's The Word? column

FRIDAY, FEB. 22 2013 >>>

1. What's your perfect day? I'm not asking a question; the question isthe name of Argonaut's latest EP, released on Strange Earth Records. If your perfect day has anything to do with rock 'n' roll that's heavy in sound and heart, that's saturated with the sweat of hard and pounding drums; includes a wonderfully mastered EP set on replay, lyrics hitting home and guitar driving hard, then your perfect day would include spending quality time at Argonaut's CD release show at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge. Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Matt Sader about the new album in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

2. Mary Larson's portraits of homeless people in Seattle are pop-style portraits executed with bright colors, and every one is a straight-on portrait with the head practically filling the canvas and looking right at the viewer. Most of them look dignified and happy. Like people you'd really enjoy knowing. What her paintings do for the people whose portraits they are is something that perhaps no one else could do in any other way. She shows them as what they are: people like any others. How often have we passed homeless people on the streets and seen them, if at all, as a class or group or concept and not as individuals who just might want to be acknowledged - who have parents and children and probably former friends and neighbors who more than likely no longer see them. Larson's portraits of the homeless ends its run at the Pierce College Fine Arts Gallery with a closing reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Read Alec Clayton's full feature on Mary Larseon's paintings on the Weekly Volcano's blog Spew.

3. Wildside Wine (608 S. Oxford, Tacoma) will host a dinner and blind wine tasting pairing at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22. Sip, swirl and compare Syrah and Shiraz varietals from all around the world as you nibble on the likes of beef bourguignon on potato puree and a poached pear and bleu cheese salad. The feast is $30, though RSVP is required to insure enough for everyone. All wines being sampled will be available at a 15 percent discount that evening.

4. Douglas A. Blackmon, author of the Pulitzer-Prize winning book Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II, will speak at the Olympia Timberland Library from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Blackmon presents evidence that slavery in the United States did not end with the Civil War, instead persisting well into the 20^th century.

5. Alex Tapia of RowHouse, Allan Boothe of Humble Cub and J. Martin will perform solo at 7:30 p.m. inside Amocat Cafe.

LINK: Friday, Feb. 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20 2013 >>>

1. Don't even act like you're not going, Olympians. The Weekly Volcano is celebrating this week's third Best of Olympia issue by blowing the roof off the Capitol Theater, beginning at 6 p.m. No cover. Beer and wine in the balcony. Live music by DJ Joel, Mosquito Hawk and Science! TUSH! Burlesque troupe will grace the stage three times during the night. Thurston County's best and brightest. A killer raffle. The Best of Olympia issue in your hot little hands a day before it hits the street. And, best of all, your favorite local Volcano "celebrities," including the cool chick who bartends, the guy in the hip-hop band and that dude related to John Grisham. 

2. "Tacomapocalypse" is now in its third year, morphing just a tad with each incarnation. The first "Tacomapocalypse" focused on zombies and destruction. The second took a tongue-in-cheek look at the end of the world. "Tacomapocalypse III" in turn is centered on what has lived through the end of days and what that recovery might look like. So if you need a little boost getting over your end-of-the-world fretting from last year, think of "Tacomapocalypse" as a little bit of unconventional therapy. The show hangs at the Amocat Café.

3. The Tanked for Tortoises event tonight at the Parkway Tavern will raise money to help the Madagascar Biodiversity Project and the Radiated Tortoise Project. Every 50 cents spent on beer, cider and wine between 6 and 10 p.m. will go toward helping our friends the tortoises.

4. Dorky's Bar Arcade in downtown Tacoma hosts Trivis for Dorks every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Weekly Volcano scribe Nikki McCoy has the scoop here.

5. Play bingo with those not just killing time before the Grim Reaper calls their number. Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier, bingo players are treated to a rather boisterous evening of number-calling. The music rocks, the prizes are craptastic and there's something very satisfying about yelling "It's not a tumor!" when B-9 is pulled from the hopper (Schwarzenegger anyone?). Sessions are free with $2 margaritas during bingo. Every Wednesday night is also Taco Night with $1 beef, $1 black bean and $2 chicken in soft or crunchy shells.

LINK: Wednesday, Feb. 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THIS IS CALLED A TEASER >>>

Weekly Volcano scribe Nikki McCoy interviewed Argonaut singer/bassist Matt Sader about the Tacoma's band's new release party Friday at The New Frontier Lounge. Sader's proud of the new release, What's your perfect day?, which KISW's "Loud and Local" show grabbed and is spinning the band's song, "The Battle of Pig Hill." Read McCoy's interview with Sader Thursday in the Weekly Volcano.

The album title prompts the question: What's your perfect day?

McCoy asked Sader what's his perfect day.

"My perfect day would start by heaving a pile of women off of me to be greeted by another holding a tray with corned beef hash and eggs and a 20-ounce Americano with an extra shot. I would walk from my Norwegian Longhouse deep in the Norwegian woods where the black metal corpse paint-wearing dudes take their pictures to my stable where I would ready my black Clydesdale warhorse. My daughter, Elizabeth, would be with me as we rode to the airport to be flown to Disneyland where we would spend most of the day. Then we would head over to the studio to record a new record with the Melvins. After that, we would eat a feast of Hawaiian and Mexican food, and have chocolate pudding covered brownies with whipped cream for dessert. Then we would head back to Norway to play The Ultimate Viking Festival That Rules All Festivals and play in front of 100,000 corpse paint wearing Norwegians on a bill with the Melvins, a reunited KARP with Dale Crover playing drums in place of Scotty, My Bloody Valentine, Neurosis and the original line-up of Kyuss. Then back to the Longhouse in the woods where she would have her Disney Princess castle style bedroom and I would retire under that same pile of women."

What's your perfect day?

TUESDAY, FEB. 19 2013 >>>

1. The Academy Awards 2013 nominees for Documentary Shorts continue to screen at The Grand Cinema. You can view the five nominated shorts - King's Point, Mondays at Racine, Inocente, RedemptionandOpen Heart - at 2:15 and 6:50 p.m.

2. There is an excellent art exhibit in the gallery at The Evergreen State College from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is called An Abstract - Representational Continuum and it juxtaposes abstract art with slightly surrealistic photographs culled from the college's art collection. Included are works by well-known West Coast artists and a few nationally-recognized artists. Read Alec Clayton's full review of "An Abstract - Representational Continuum" in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

3. The latest show at the University of Puget Sound's Kittredge Gallery is a fascinating installation that may prove difficult to describe. It is called "Kukai," and it is a collaborative project between digital media artist Robert Campbell and ceramic sculptor Yuki Nakamura, who previously worked together for an installation called "Floating Plaster/City Motion," a multimedia installation comprising video, audio, and cast sculptures for the New Works Laboratory, a program between 911 Media Arts Center and the Henry Art Gallery at University of Washington in Seattle. The current installation is all about light and sound - mostly light. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read Alec Clayton's full review of "Kukai" in the Weekly Volcano Arts section.

4. Since China began flooding U.S. markets with illegally subsidized products in 2001, more than 50,000 American factories have disappeared, more than 25 million Americans can't find a decent job, and America now owes more than 3 trillion dollars to the world's largest totalitarian nation. But, what do we really know about China?  Tacoma's Fuzhou Sister City Committee selected the book Spring Moon: A Novel of China by Bette Bao Lord as a book to illuminate about China's different customs and people. Drop by King's Books at 7 p.m. to discuss the book and, well, China in general. By the way, this discussion is in conjunction with the upcoming Sister City International Film Festival taking place at Blue Mouse Theatre. Fuzhou's night is Feb. 28 with the film Last Train Home about China's country-wide migrations of people going home for their Chinese New Year celebrations.

5. Flint Culp, Mythologies and The Clacid Arkansas will rock Le Voyeur in downtown Olympia around 10 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, Feb. 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, FEB. 18 2013 >>>

1. Guy Fieri visited Puyallup when he blasted through the South Sound in November. His show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, filmed at six popular locations, including Darby's Cafe and Fish Tale Brew Pub, both which have aired on Fieri's Food Network show. Tonight, Crockett's Public House receives the spotlight with the episode screening at 7 and 10 p.m. In celebration, Crockett's invites everyone to join them for happy hour from 9 p.m. to close and watch Fieri discuss their awesome meatballs.

2. It's Kids 'n' Critters day at Northwest Trek. From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. special nature-themed arts and crafts and trailside encounters will hit the massive animal park. Tram seating is limited to the first 1,500 visitors.

3. The Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum are opening their doors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate President's Day. To honor servicemen and servicewomen, the museums are offering free admission to all active-duty military members and their immediate families. Tacoma Art Museum will be offering hands-on art activities as well as a family photo booth. The Washington State History Museum is featuring Let's Ride! Motorcycling the Northwest, which explores a century of motorcycling.

4. Monday is typically a black hole for nightlife. Sure, if you run a sports bar, you'll do well during the World Series or football season, but for most eating and drinking establishments, it's just dead, dead, dead. There's a darn good reason why so many bars are empty on Mondays. So how do those that remain open find ways to fill barstools on this, the most dreadful evening of the workweek? The folks at The Swiss seem to have found a solution and, oddly enough, it's one that has been the bane of many other venues: live music. Since the beginning of time, The Swiss has hosted live blues every Monday at 8 p.m. Tonight, Palmer JCT will fill the Swiss with blues featuring three singers, dual lead guitars and a righteous rhythm section.

5. Beginning at 9 p.m. every Monday Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots and $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

LINK: Monday, Feb. 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, FEB. 17 2013  >>>

1. "Numero By Northwest" is an unusual DJ showcase at The Brotherhood Lounge at 9 p.m. And by unusual, we mean rare - but we also mean weird, which in Olympia, equates to awesome. The Numero Group's Ken Shipley, Justin Trosper from Unwound/Survival Knife and DJ Wildman James will spin soul, garage and other obscure gems in the comfort of a lounge where a wall of carpet JFKs and gigantic hanging guitars make it feel like your best friend's living room. Dancers and wallflowers welcome.

2. Something unique will happen in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop. An artist will return for the second of two back-to-back residencies, a rare occurrence to be sure. Said artist is Raven Skyriver, maker of intriguingly real-looking marine creatures large and small. He scored two residencies in a row by winning two separate awards at the Red Hot Party & Auction last September. He won both the People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards, each came with a hot shop residency, which ends today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Next to Normal ends its run at the Capital Playhouse with a 2 p.m. staging. In the play we find Diana Goodman waiting up for her teen-aged son while her insomniac daughter Natalie does calculus homework. As her husband Dan sings the next morning, it's "Just Another Day" in workaday suburbia. What we haven't figured out is why Diana's so distracted. She has a better idea than we do, but even her shrink, the ironically named Dr. Madden, can't get a handle on her dysfunction, prescribing one cocktail after another of happy pills. Because yeah: this musical goes there. Diana's mentally ill, and it's unclear whether trauma some years ago brought on these troubles or they already existed, depriving her of the ability to cope. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Next to Normal in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

4. The Progressive Dinner Tour presented by Studio 6 Ballroom hits Sixth Avenue at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. This month's Progressive Dinner Tour has a Valentine's Day spin. Studio 6 says you can join a group of singles or a group of couples. Also, the event has been titled "6 ways to Stimulate your Sense on 6^th Ave," although we counted only four ways - meals at Six Olives, Gateway to India, Cork! Wine Bar with dessert back at Studio 6. Maybe number five is Maia Santell & House Blend filling Studio 6 with blues and jazz for dancing. Maybe the sixth way to stimulate your senses is a surprise. All your questions may be answered at 253.905.5301.

5. The Albert Square makes peppy pop-punk that calls to mind other practitioners of grinning, clever alt-rock, like They Might Be Giants, the Dead Milkmen and Cake - not to mention Barenaked Ladies, Blink 182 and Ben Kweller. You get the idea. But no matter how clever you are, you'd be dead in the water without some serious, smart hooks, and the Albert Square has those in spades. Joining the Albert Square for a free show at 9 p.m. inside Wingman Brewers are fellow indie rocker Brooklyn Pool, Trees and Timber, and the up-and-coming awesomeness of Shogun Barbie.

LINK: Sunday, Feb. 17 arts and entertainemtn events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. The Ethan Tucker Band, The Approach. 9 pm.

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

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Nine50Nine, Big Wheel Stunt Show, From The Sea. 8 pm.

King's Books Tacoma - Stadium District. Songwriter's Circle: Steve Nebel, John Sparrow, Gary Kanter. Join these three for an evening of song and storytelling. All Ages. 7-9 pm. NC.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Reptilian Shape Shifters. All Ages. 5 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Speeding Kills Bears, Saucy Yoda, Needles and Pizza. 9 pm. $5.

O'Malley's irish Pub Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Mico De Noche, Vanguard, Bloodhunger. 9 pm. $5.

• Tonight Tacoma gets to taste the sweet dank metal of Mico De Noche, with thrash duo Vanguard and T-town metalheads Bloodhunger. Come to the show and have access to Mico De Noche's brand spanking new 7-inch set to release in stores Feb 26. The blood red disc features cover artwork by Eugene based Sean Schock, who does work for handfuls of bands, including YOB and Brothers of the Sonic Cloth. In other words, that 7-inch is sexy as hell and will look good in your collection. Come to the show and let the metal take over.  - Nikki McCoy

Rainy Day Records Olympia - Downtown. Survival Knife, Reptilian Shapeshifters, Orcta#Grape. 9 pm. $5

• Survival Knife is Kris Cunningham on drums, Meg Cunningham on bass, Brandt Sandeno on guitar and Justin Trosper on guitar and vocals. Yes, Meg and Kris are married, and yes, Sandeno and Trosper are two of the original three members of Olympia's infamous '90s indie rock predecessors, Unwound. Read Nikki McCoy's full interview with Survival Knife in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Zero Down. 9 pm.

Six Olives Lounge and Restaurant Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Big Huge. 8 pm. NC.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Gabriel, The Blondes. 8 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Full Blast. 9 pm.

Washington Center for the Performing Arts Olympia - Downtown. Makana. All Ages. 7:30 pm.

LINK: More live music Saturday, Feb. 16 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area