Thursday, Oct. 11

FOLK ROCK chris bramble band

Political awareness and social consciousness were the driving forces behind the majority of the ’60s and early ’70s music scenes. Singers and songwriters were outspoken critics of the unjust war in Vietnam, supporters of women’s rights and environmental issues. What happen? Why don’t artists today speak to the pressing issues that plague the world? Even U2 has gotten lax.



With a moppy head of hair and Lennon-esque spectacles, Chris Bramble lets his freak-flag fly while he pens tunes with messages that would make Pete Seger proud.

Rather than spewing protest songs, Bramble’s music has an exceedingly positive vibe, both lyrically and musically. Influenced by such diverse artists as Bob Marley, John Coltrane and early Grateful Dead, the Chris Bramble Band is self-described as danceable, improvisational, inspirational folk-rock. The psychedelic quintet of Terry Ann Gillette (violin), Paul Lamb (bass), Bradley Leach (drums), Paul Best (percussion) and Bramble on guitar, vocals and unisonix released their debut, Laugh at the Wind, in 2006. The disc effortlessly blended reggae, folk, traditional Appalachian and Celtic and jam band flavors together. While they might be out of step with pop culture, they are a refreshing change of pace from the superficial mainstream. — Tony Engelhart



[Doyle’s Public House, 8 p.m., 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

Thursday, Oct. 11

JAZZ kyle eastwood

Sometimes being born into privilege can be hazardous, i.e. Paris Hilton. Lindsay Lohan would have been poor white trash if not for Daddy’s big bucks. Then there are those who don’t let their parents’ accomplishments ruin them. Son of Clint Eastwood, Kyle Eastwood could have easily become a Hollywood bad boy. But instead of running around the Valley and crashing trendy nightclubs, he channeled his energies into upright bass and in doing so has become one of the freshest faces of contemporary jazz.



Clint may have given Kyle the jazz bug, but Kyle took his father’s love of the art form and set it to his music, becoming one of the most respected session players in the biz in the early ’90s. By 1998, he was fronting his own quartet and released his solo debut, From There to Here. The record hit every corner of the jazz spectrum with an awareness that could only come from a well-rounded music aficionado. His next effort, Paris Blue, was even more experimental as Eastwood dipped his toes in acid jazz, hard bop and turntablism, which proved to be more pop oriented.  Eastwood’s latest, 2006’s Now, continues down the same path with funk-driven bass lines that would make Bootsy Collins cheer. — TE



[Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, Oct. 11, 8 p.m., $10-$25, South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road S.W., Olympia, 360.596.5501]

Saturday, Oct. 13 & Sunday, Oct. 14

GYPSY FOLK jason webley

My introduction to gypsy music came in a roundabout way when I saw Circus Contraption’s Grand American Traveling Dime Store Museum. While they weren’t pure gypsy, they exploited the signature rhythms beautifully and the ever present accordion made them sound slightly authentic. Diving into gypsy artist Jason Webley’s world, I found jazz flavors of Django Reinhardt, a sincerity of Tom Waits and a reflective vocal style akin to Ray Davies.



To date, Webley has recorded five solo discs. Each one is unique and a wildly entertaining listen as he cross-breeds genres and interjects his yearning accordion into the mix. Rather than penning the obvious cliché love songs, Webley digs a bit deeper for a more introspective take on things. His latest, The Cost of Living, is another great effort by the Seattle-based artist. — TE



[Capitol Theater, Oct. 13, 8 p.m., all ages, $8, 206 E. Fifth Ave., Olympia, 360.352.8787]

[Masa, Oct. 14, 8 p.m., $5, 2811 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.254.0560]

Monday, Oct. 15

PPOP PUNK fierce perm

Luckily or unluckily, I’ve never had a Fierce Perm.



It depends on how you look at it.



On one hand, through luck or solid rationale, I never got the urge to turn my head into a curly ball of ugly. I never decided to unnaturally turn my straight locks wavy, and I never decided I’d look better with some frizz in my bangs. I’ve never gotten a perm, and at this point in life, I don’t expect that to change.



On the other hand, if you’re talking about Olympia’s Fierce Perm (the band) — who kickoff their national tour at the Brotherhood Lounge in Olympia Monday, Oct. 15, I’ve never had them either. This seems like a shame.



Monday I’ll get my chance.



Fierce Perm are two hits of pop, and one of punk-spliced grunge. A female-led assault of garage, Fierce Perm is aided by its feminine nature, but held together by the adhesive quality of its endearing sloppiness. According to www.myspace.com/fierceperm:

“There are a wide variety of methods to listen to Fierce Perm. The most popular include the joint, the blunt, the bong, the pipe (more commonly called a ‘bowl’ or ‘piece’), the shotgun, the chillum, the deffy, the spot and the one-hitter.”



Good to know.



The Broho is the best spot in Oly. Period. A Fierce Perm should just make it that much cooler. — Matt Driscoll



[Brotherhood Lounge, with The Mona Reels, Gun Outfit, Plants Eat People, Monday, Oct. 15, 9 p.m., $5, 119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.352.4153]