- As a mission statement, you couldn't find one much clearer than "Cruel Summer," the lead-off track on the latest release by Black Marble. As if the title didn't do well enough to harken back to the early '80s, from the moment that stiff drum machine meets up with those pulsing, neon synthesizers, Black Marble has firmly planted its feet in the same camp as Joy Division, OMD, Tears for Fears and the Eurythmics. Lead singer Chris Stewart's voice has that deep, reverb-soaked quality that instantly evokes, in turn, Ian Curtis and Roland Orzabal. Needless to say, they're not the perkiest band in the world, but if you're looking for that gloomy, trench coat-wearing, severe bangs-having part of yourself touched, Black Marble sure does hit that sweet spot. - Rev. Adam McKinney
LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>
4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. Elbow Coulee, Bodybox, Ben Union. 9 pm. $5.
Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. The Cold 102's, Ant Estrada. 9:30 pm. NC.
Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. The Flying Tortugas, The Jilly Rizzo, Winter Seeker. 9 pm.
Invictus Cafe Olympia - Downtown. Reverend Bear, Fallen Angels, Curse the North, Tatarus, 5 pm. $3.
- Mark Carras and his wife, Sherri, have been running Rock My Monkey Energy Drink out of their home for a little more than a year now. Sold at Invictus Café and 4th Ave Food Mart in Olympia, the energy drink's flavor is "somewhere between Mountain Dew and Red Bull," Sherri said. (I tasted it mixed with Jameson whiskey - delicious!) Check out Rock My Monkey today at Invictus Café in Olympia, during a benefit show for the family of Amanda Winters, the 17-year-old who was killed when her car struck a tree while she was driving to school in April. For more information about getting your band or business involved with Rock My Monkey, visit Rockmymonkey.com or call 360.519.ROCK. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on Rock My Monkey in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.
Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Jon Wayne & The Pain, Mighty High, The Approach. 8 pm. $10.
Lucky Eagle Casino Rochester. Broken Trail. 9 pm. NC.
The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Benefit For Humane Society, featuring Death By Stars, I Like Science, Oh Dear. 8 pm.
- The New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma plays host to a Humane Society Benefit show Saturday featuring Death By Stars, Oh Dear!, I Like Science, Ever So Android and Julian Najar. This line-up is sure to get into your summer skin and cause a heated reaction of soul tingling vibes and uncontrolled appendage shaking, accompanied by the occasional fist pump and squinty-faced hair whipping. Yes, I mean dancing. And, by god, it's all for a good cause. "The Humane Society and animal welfare are extremely important issues to Death By Stars," says Patrick Galactic. "We are financial supporters of many animal rights organizations. To share an all-star bill with some of our favorite bands is icing on the cake. It's going to be an electric and eclectic show that ultimately benefits our furry friends who need the care the most. We are honored and grateful to be a part of it." - Nikki McCoy
Pantages Theater Tacoma - Downtown. Tony Bennett. All Ages. 7:30 pm. $89-$249.
- Vocal legend Tony Bennett pushes boundaries when it comes to his duets, most notably those with k.d. lang. But when it comes to flying solo, the man gives the people exactly what they want: his smooth, elegant, laidback take on standards you'd swear were his to begin with. Each time through the South Sound the man has sounded suave ... and has looked it too. Remember that canary-yellow sport coat he wore? How about the voice? Cynics may call it a gimmick, but Bennett's modern-era performances always include an a capella number. All said and done, when the spotlight shines, silence covers the room, and a still-strong version of, perhaps, "The Best is Yet to Come" flows from the 86(!)-year-old Bennett. Bonus: Bennett's concert at the Pantages Theater is a benefit for the arts in public schools. - Weekly Volcano
Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Crosswalk. 9 pm.
Tacoma Musical Playhouse Narrows Theatre Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Sweet and Hot with the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band. Blues, stomps, marches, ragtime and gospel. All Ages. 8 pm. $25.
- When jazz trumpeter Lance Buller isn't holding court at Metropolitan Market's espresso area or every Friday at Maxwell's Speakeasy, he's producing jazz concerts, including a Jazz@TMP series at Tacoma Musical Playhouse. Buller has lined up another winner as the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band from Portland, Ore. and their vocalist, Marilyn Keller will fill the old Narrows Theater with music one would find in the French Quarter of New Orleans in the 1920s or F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby. According to hype, "Black Swan will serve up blues, stomps, marches, ragtime and gospel. Songs will be selected from the 1890s through Tin Pan Alley through the Golden Age of song to selections recently composed by our band members." - WV
Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Calbrea, Trip Madam. 9 pm.
Uncle Thurm's Soul Food Restaurant Tacoma - Lincoln District. Maia Santell & House Blend. 7:30 pm.
LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area
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