It’s a big week, Tacoma — a week I’ve been giddily anticipating for a long time.

First off, the start of the NFL season is, literally, just around the corner. The first real NFL action of the year will go down Thursday, Sept. 6, when the New Orleans Saints travel to Indianapolis to face the world champion Colts. Three days later, Sunday, Sept. 9, 13 NFL games are scheduled — enough to keep this hack journalist happily couch-bound for the entire Sabbath.



More importantly, at least to readers of the Weekly Volcano’s music section, this weekend — Saturday at the High Dive in Seattle and Sunday at Bumbershoot — marks the heroic return of one of the greatest bands in the history of Tacoma.

Seaweed!



That’s right. It’s true. Fucking Seaweed is back. If there’s been a more anticipated event in Tacoma music in the last few years, I can’t recall one. Since their demise, Seaweed has been immortalized as a South Sound dark horse, a band Tacoma can proudly hang its hat on, and a band that knew nothing but the disheveled 253 punk rock they perfected. While it’s easy to lump Seaweed in with the NW music scene of the ’90s, there’s something completely unique about the band. Seaweed is not Mudhoney. Mudhoney is from Seattle.



Seaweed is Tacoma.



One way or another, however you quantify it, Seaweed built something in Tacoma. At the very least it’s a following, at best it’s much more.



For years there’s been an audible clamoring for a Seaweed reunion. Years. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had conversations about how cool it would be if Seaweed got back together. Sitting at my desk, as I write this, I’m looking at a framed Seaweed poster from the RKCNDY.



The masses have seemed ready. It’s been up to Seaweed.



According to Wikipedia, Seaweed officially announced their reunion on MySpace, May 15, and also indicated they were not only gearing up for shows featuring songs everyone knows, but actively writing new material. According to Wikipedia, this material will become the tentatively titled record Small Engine Repair — aka the new Seaweed record you thought you’d never see.



“I’m not really nervous. It’s kind of like being asked to give a speech at your brother-in-law’s wedding,” explains Seaweed guitarist Wade Neal of his feelings going into the shows this weekend at the High Dive and Bumbershoot.



“I’d say it’s similar to that feeling, but it’s also one of those things where you only get one shot to do it, and I think we’re all up for it.



“I think we’re (getting back together) for the same reasons we started the band. We were bored. We all had people jabbing us and telling us we were a good band. After awhile, it’s like ‘yeah, we were a good band,’” continued Neal — who will be joined onstage this weekend by his Seaweed buddies Aaron Stauffer, Clint Werner and John Atkins, along with drummer Jesse Fox (of Leuko and Polecat fame), who Neal reported was “almost in the band a couple of times anyway.”



“I am surprised, frankly, by how positive the response has been. I’m really excited because there’ll be old fans and new fans.”



Neal is not only referring to the noticeable jubilation that has permeated T-town since news of Seaweed’s return hit the street, but also the reaction to Seaweed’s overall influence on bands and music fans of today. In the world of songwriting, there’s no greater compliment than to have your work covered by another artist. In 2008 Engineer Records is slated to release Hours and Hours: a Tribute to Seaweed. Twenty-one Seaweed songs from 21 different artists — from Kane Hodder to the Draft. As far as influence goes, that’s not too shabby for a punk band from Tacoma.



“We were really surprised because there are a lot of great bands. It makes you feel good,” said Neal.



“Good luck. I hope they sell more than fifteen copies.”



Seaweed will play the High Dive in Seattle on Saturday, and Bumbershoot Sunday. Don’t worry, Tacoma, Neal assured me that a Hell’s Kitchen date can be expected in late fall or winter.



As for a drop-off, I wouldn’t worry about it.



“We just practiced three weeks ago for the first time,” said Neal.



“It was just like riding a bike.”



[High Dive, with Visqueen, Saturday, Sept. 1, 6 p.m., $7, 513 36th, Seattle, 206.632.0212]

[Bumbershoot, Sunday, Sept. 2, 9:30 p.m., $35, Sky Church, Seattle Center, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle. www.bumbershoot.org]