Thursday, Aug. 9

ROCK neutralboy

Bands with a blatant disregard for authority have always been near and dear to my heart. Their rebellious spirit is so free and total lack of responsibility is intriguing, and thrash rockers Neutralboy possess all these qualities and then some. Proclaiming proudly that their hometown of Bremerton sucks, the quartet of Mandy Reed (bass/vocals), That’s Bullshit (guitar), Hal 9000 Beers (drums) and Michael Frottage (guitar/vocals) play it loud and proud without any unnecessary filler. In other words, they probably know only basic chords, but they friggin’ play them with gusto. With influences from ’80s hair bands, ska, punk, and grunge, these boys don’t stick to a proven formula, yet their music is straight and to the point.

For the past 15 years the band has been wreaking havoc in the northwest without any regrets. The band has seen many members come and spilt, but Mandy and Mike have remained as the glue. Ironically, they have only released one disc —Weapon of Mass Seduction — an unruly look at everyday life, which addresses such topics as casual sex, hard drugs and living on the street. Check ’em out at www.myspace.com/neutralboy. — Tony Engelhart

[Hell’s Kitchen, with P.A.W.N.S., Bristle and Val, 8 p.m., $5, 21+, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

Saturday, Aug. 11

BLUEGRASS looking glass

Blueberries used to be a mushy muffin ingredient. Now they’re a “super food“ proven to ward off cancer, boost memory function, reduce cholesterol, improve vision and prevent urinary tract infections. Only thing the little blues don’t do for you: play bluegrass.

Gawd, I know. I was on vacation last week. Not quite in the groove yet.

Tumwater bluegrass band Looking Glass will perform in Blueberry Park while eating Boo Berry cereal. Check that. Just discovered the Boo Berry cereal thing isn’t true, but Looking Glass will perform amongst the 4,074 blueberry bushes growing in Blueberry Park.

Since wild blueberries contain twice the antioxidant power of cultivated varieties, and the blueberries are available to pick, it pays to check out the wild antics of Looking Glass.

Seventy-two days and counting until my next vacation — A JetBlue ride to see the Blue Man Group in the Blue Bayou. — Brad Allen



[Blueberry Park, Saturday, Aug. 11, 1-3 p.m., free, South 75th Street and East D Street, Tacoma, 253.474.6575]

Sunday, Aug. 12

CELTIC POP gypsy soul

My ex-wife’s mother was from Belfast and spoke in a thick accent I couldn’t understand half the time. Being married to a redheaded lass, I was turned on to the culture of Ireland and fell in love with the music. With a mix of folk, blues, pop and Celtic, Gypsy Soul is a reminder of sitting around my in-laws’ living room while listening to Irish hymns.

Similar to the Corrs, the duo of Cilette Swann and Roman Morykit put a fresh spin on the time-honored music. Swann’s angelic voice is akin to Sara McLachlan while Morykit’s guitar work is complimentary and not overbearing. Perhaps what gives the twosome such uniqueness is they haven’t settled in comfortably in one genre, rather they experiment with many different styles.

Their debut, Test of Time, in 1995 was acoustically folksy with just a hint of Celtic influences. The follow-up to the impressive debut, 1998’s Sanctuary, continued down the same path but a bit farther down the pop savvy road. In 2001 they switched gears ever so slightly to incorporate shades of jazz and Americana into their repertoire. The duos latest, Beneath the Covers: A Rediscovery, is a compilation of covers of such artists as U2, the Beatles, and Stevie Wonder. — TE

[Masa Comida Mexicana Restaurant, 7:30 p.m., $15 for rooftop concert, 2811 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.254.0560]

Wednesday, Aug. 15

ALT COUNTRY strange jerome

The name Strange Jerome sounds like a punk band but oh contraire, the Seattle-based quartet is an alt-country ensemble with more twang than Bob Wills and Lefty Frizzell put together. Fronted by Sherri Jerome, aka Sherri Nudelman, on guitar and mandolin, with Michael Beckworth (vocals, guitar), Andrew Hare (bass), Ron James (drums), the band is authentically fresh as they combine country with a rock ’n’ roll edge.

Comparable to Neko Case and Boyfriends in style but as rough and ready as Lucinda Williams, the band doesn’t water down its brand of Americana roots music, but rather pours Jack Daniels on it to fuel the fire. Jerome’s vocal style is sweet as pumpkin pie, however, she adds just the right amount of grit for an edgy timbre that grabs a hold of you and refuses to letcha go. Whether playing moody folk, west coast country or bluesy rock, the group’s ability to mix it up is what makes them stand alone.

They debuted with a self-titled EP in 2003 followed by a full-length offering, Vicious Tattoo, in 2006. Both discs featured their signature rich harmonies and spellbinding melodies as they take the listener on an unforgettable ride. — TE

[Sylvester Park, 7 p.m., no cover, downtown Olympia, 360.357.8948]