A bunch of rock and Steve Alboucq

Volcano scribes tell you where to go

By Volcano Staff on November 22, 2007

Wednesday, Nov. 21

PUNK neutralboy

Over a 15-year career, Neutralboy has gained a devoted local following and made a name for themselves within the local punk scene. With one record to their name and another allegedly on the way, Neutralboy seems to have focused more on the basic elements of punk than the productive ones. Neutralboy likes to drink heavily, play loudly, and, in general, have a good time.



Neutralboy have put together a benefit to help punk icon Karl Alvarez with the medical costs stemming from a recent heart attack the punk icon suffered. Neutralboy, along with a slew of other notable punk bands including Artimus Maximus, the Karls and Kane Hodder will play Hell’s Kitchen tonight. Do the right thing and show up. — Matt Driscoll



[Hell’s Kitchen, 8 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

 

Friday, Nov. 23

METAL hatefist

If you want to give your parents something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving, crank up a Hatefist disc then turn it off. You might receive extra stuffing. Even I could take only a few bars of the hardcore-metal unit’s music. Man, I’m getting old. But for those who revel in fist-shaking inanity, you can’t do much better.



The Seattle-based quintet of Chad Tenwick (vox/vocals), John Winters (guitar), Jason Bahr (guitar), Chuck Bahr (bass) and Rickie Sather (drums) has been pillaging the Northwest for more than 12 years and show no signs of slowing down. Influences range from early thrash and speed to modern day death metal. With a similar vibe to bands like Lamb of God and Death Angel, they offer up screaming guitars and machinegun drumming while Tenwick screams out his vile spew with a vengeance. What used to be a four-piece got a shot of adrenaline when Chuck’s kin, Jason, joined the band. Now they are more dangerous than ever before.



Their second full-length is still representing the Emerald City’s thriving metal scene and is now available on iTunes. — TE



[Hell’s Kitchen, with Severus, Lahar, Sok & The Faggots, and Point Blank Range, 8 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

Friday, Nov. 23

ROCK dog leg preacher

To give you some idea of just how hardcore Dog Leg Preacher is, they have a song about Ted Bundy, “Sable,” on their MySpace page, complete with a picture of the notorious serial killer. Despite the eeriness, it’s a catchy little number that you can sing-along with while shaking your fist in the mosh pit. Obviously influenced by such extreme metal bands as Dio and Danzig, the band features soaring guitar licks, tight and steady beats, and fever-pitched vocals.



Formed in 2001 by drummer Jon Fosdick and vocalist/bassist Joe Kurke, Dog Leg took metal, shook it feverishly and spewed out a kind of music that combines straight-up rock with complex melodies. Fosdick pens the aggressive lyrics that “Captain” Kurke screams at the top of his lungs, while guitarist Chris Moser provides the monstrous licks and multifaceted solos. The band’s two discs, 2001’s #1 and 2006’s Abscess, have both found global success thanks to play on the Internet.



Dog Leg Preacher will be hosting a post-Thanksgiving concert and celebration Nov. 23 and 24 at the Cedarwood Dome, after which the band will be taking time off to complete their third CD and prepare another spectacular stage show for 2008. — TE



[Cedarwood Dome, Nov. 23-24, 9 p.m., $10, 7404 Pacific Hwy. E., Milton, 253.922.5727]

Saturday, Nov. 24

SOUTHERN ROCK the moss brothers

Southern rock was huge in the ’70s as bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special and Molly Hatchet took the music of their ancestors and added shades of blues and rock. While the line has gotten blurry these days between what’s country and what’s rock, there is no question that Puyallup’s own Moss Brothers are dedicated to resurrecting the spirit of real Southern fried rock ’n’ roll.



Originally from Alabama, the Moss Brothers are as authentic as they come. Troy Moss (guitar, vocals and mandolin), Jeff Moss (vocals, guitar, dobro), Kevin Dale (bass) and David Smith (drums), formed the band in 1980. While they are considered a Southern rock outfit with a combination of rock, country, bluegrass, blues and New Orleans funk, the quartet has refused to be pigeonholed. Perhaps that was the reason the Washington Blues Society gave the boys a nod with a nomination for “Best New Blues Band.” They have logged many miles and played countless shows, but ironically, didn’t issue a disc until 2006, Royal Orleans. Not over-produced, the record has a laid-back and easy-going timbre, which feels like a lazy Sunday afternoon. — TE



[4th Ave Tavern, 8 p.m., 210 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.786.1444]

Sunday, Nov. 25

JAZZ The Steve Alboucq Quartet

When I first saw Michael Powers listed as bass player in the Steve Alboucq Quartet for Sunday’s performance in Olympia, I thought, “It must be a different Michael Powers.” But no, Alboucq is that good that the great jazz guitar virtuoso would shift to bass to play in his band.

Alboucq is a schooled jazz trumpeter coming into his own. While he is classically trained, he is also well versed in jazz, pop, and Latin music styles. His versatility is why performers such as the Temptations, the Four Tops and Gladys Knight have utilized Alboucq’s talent. He has also been a welcome guest at the regional level, performing with such as Jazz Police, Orquestra Nueva Era and Soul Provider.



Consisting of Chris Morton (piano), Matt Page (drums) and Nate Parker (bass), his own band is nothing to sneeze at. If you’re looking for the high note energy of Maynard Ferguson, move on. Alboucq and company play a low-fi style of jazz that is cool as a cucumber and smooth a silk. Think Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue period meets Oscar Peterson. With plenty of room for improvisation, their music is always fresh. — Tony Engelhart



[Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar, Sunday, 6-9 p.m., no cover, 501 Columbia St. N., Olympia, 360.956.1928]