Thursday, Sept. 27

BLUES little bill engelhart

Little Bill Engelhart is soul on wheels. He’s also probably one of the most inspirational musicians that you’re likely to meet in person.

He grew up on Hilltop Tacoma and learned rock ’n’ roll by playing rhythm and blues with the black musicians’ downtown, which was unusual for a young white kid at the time. He formed a band with some of his teenage friends and had a national hit when he was just 19 titled “I’m in Love with an Angel.” Life after that seemed a bit anti-climactic. Once you’ve toured with the most famous musicians of your time, it’s hard to come home and be an every day guy.

He engaged in the usual rock-and-roll pitfalls and lived to candidly tell the tale in an autobiographical memoir titled “Next Stop Bakersfield.”

After 53 years in the music business, Engelhart still works every day booking, promoting and playing music. Engelhart and his wife, Jan, are about to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. Did I mention he also has polio and spends the majority of his time in a wheel chair? Despite any adversities he’s faced, he and his Bluenotes are still one of the most sought-after acts in the Northwest. The Washington Blues Society has awarded him with best band; best bass player, best blues writer and lifetime achievement award. He is a legendary Northwest blues musician and perhaps the Godfather of rock ’n’ roll in Tacoma. He and his band, the Bluenotes, are featured in the EMP museum’s Northwest Passage. He’s kind of a big deal.

For more information about Little Bill and The Bluenotes, visit www.havemusic.com/littlebill. There’s also a really cool documentary about Little Bill Engelhart available free online at: www.scctv.net/arts/ae_32_bill_engelhart.asx.

Little Bill and the Bluenotes perform this week at the South Sound Blues Association event “Harmon Brews and Blues” tonight. It’s kind of a big deal. — Angela Jossy

[Harmon Brewing Company, Thursday, Sept. 27, 7:30-10:30 p.m., no cover, 1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.2739]

Thursday, Sept. 27

AMERICANA korby lenker

In the past 10 years or so singer/songwriters have seen a surge in popularity as artists such as Jack Johnson, Pete Yorn and John Mayer have cracked the pop charts with their sensitive naked man takes on love, life and the human condition. While Korby Lenker has yet to follow in the footsteps of his contemporaries with a big advance from a major label, he is as noteworthy as any of them. For the past seven years Lenker has been releasing great music and has caught the attention of national press — Mojo and Spin have praised the young crooner for his unique take on Americana.



With an alt. Country-meets-folk vibe Lenker blends easy-going twang with his ultra breathy vocals. Perhaps what is so refreshing about the Seattle-based artist is his ability to craft the perfect song. Rather than relying on clichés, he often uses abstract metaphors to get his point across. His latest disc, King of Hearts, is a mix of acoustic and electric ditties that walk a fine line between pop and alternative.



If you didn’t catch him at Sasquatch or Bumbershoot this past summer, you should definitely check him out at this intimate performance. — Tony Engelhart

[Plenty! Restaurant, 8 p.m., $7, 200 Fourth Ave. W, Olympia, 360.705.3716]

Friday, Sept. 28

ROCK mayday mile

Mayday Mile’s lead singer resembles Johnny Knoxville with the same “give a shit” attitude. If that’s not reason enough to check out this band, allow me to elaborate. The band formed just last year when Brady (vocals) snatched up Megan Jones (bass) from his former band and her co-worker Jeff (drums). Soon after, Marc (guitar) joined up, and the band was ready to kick some ass. But Megan left and was replaced by Jake. Are you following?



No fluff here, just good old fashion rock. Relying on heavy-handed riffs, powerful drumming and volume, the Seattle quartet sports the guts and glory that a straight ahead rock and roll band needs. While they aren’t very 21st century radio friendly, I wouldn’t go so far as to call them indie or alternative.



These new kids on the rock block just dropped their debut, Walking Wounded, this past summer. The first track, “Stretch Out on the Back Lawn,” hits you like a freight train with an Iggy and the Stooges pitch that is as rebellious as it is melodic. It’s balls to the wall throughout the entire CD. They go sensitive on our asses with “Pure As,” which cops a LIVE Throwing Copper feel toward the end. Forgiven. — TE

[4th Ave Tavern, 9 p.m., 210 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.786.1444]

Friday, Sept. 28

ROCK tyler burnett

Taking two middle names and making up a fake member is a hell of a cool way to name your band, and Tyler Burnett has done just that. Mixing a potent cocktail of blues, country and R&B, the Billings, Mont., group of Stephen Tyler Brown (bass/vocals), Patrick “Muchas” Epley (drums) Parker Burnett Brown (guitar/vocals) and newest member Rimas Simaitis (keys) puts a fresh spin on all three to create a new fangled sound that is frickin’ fresh. They list some of their influences sporadically as Van Morrison, Zappa, Robert Johnson, and Frank Sinatra but sound nothing like any of them. Rather, the band has a rootsy Americana vibe that is palatable to even the most discerning music snob (me).



The quartet just released a self-titled EP, which is a nice mix of hard rockin’ smashers and laid back love songs. The tracks on the disc are not consistent with each other but they blend effortlessly into each other. Example: “So On” has jazzy guitar riffs with a tempered tempo whereas “Don’t Want to Die” is as mean as anything the Black Crowes ever laid to wax with a Southern fried flavor. — TE

[Jazzbones, with Fear Train Caravan and Matt Coughlin Band, 9 p.m., $8-$10, all ages, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Saturday, Sept. 29

ROCK human echo

If you ever find yourself wanting to see an interesting show, maybe with some bands you’ve never heard of, maybe with some bands doing things you’ve never seen, you can count on Le Voyeur in Olympia.



You know how I know?



Because every time I find myself needing an interesting show to write about, maybe with a band I’ve never heard of, and maybe with a  band doing something I’ve never seen, Le Voyeur is there for me.



On Saturday, Sept. 29, the scene will be just as predictable. Making their way to Olympia as part of a tour that will stretch from Salt Lake City all the way back to their home in Seattle, the Human Echo will play Le Voyeur along with the Slow Folks and the Newspapers.



As far as I can tell, the show should be worth your attention. The Human Echo, while not the most upbeat outfit I’ve ever stumbled across, definitely does some things well. Their riffs are heavy. Their melodies are pleasing. And I assume their shows are fun.

Let’s find out together, shall we? — Matt Driscoll

[Le Voyeur, Saturday, Sept. 29, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

Saturday, Sept. 29

ROCK dick dale

Last year, when Dick Dale played Hell’s Kitchen, the show was easily one of the highlights of the year. It’s not everyday that the man who invented surf guitar plugs in at the Kitchen, and it’s not every day you get a chance to stand only feet away from his amps.



It’s not everyday, but if we’re lucky, it may happen every year.



That’s because this Saturday, Sept. 29, Dick Dale will be back in Tacoma, once again bombarding the grit city with surf riffs loud enough to make your ears ring for days, and he’ll be joined by two of the best bands Tacoma has to offer — Girl Trouble and the Fucking Eagles.



If you thought the show was hot last year, just wait until you see what Dale has up his sleeve this year. If you missed the show last year, consider yourself lucky. You’ve been given a golden opportunity to once again see a music legend up close and personal. Don’t blow it this time.

[Hell’s Kitchen, Saturday, Sept. 29, 9 p.m., $20, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759. 6003]