I’m running from something. But when I get to where I’m going, it’s still there, panting, leering and laughing. Like it or not, you can’t outrun yourself or, as Johnny Cash refers to one’s darker side, “the black dog.” It’s fun trying, though, and you get to see the sights. So this week, I decided to walk the old dog in Tacoma.

OF NOTE. I need coffee.

DJ J-Fresh still spins the hip-hop and rock mash-up strong. Catch him Fridays at The Cedarwood in Milton and Saturdays at The Loft in downtown Tacoma. The Loft still draws 200 on a Saturday. Recession knows no “Party Fingers.”



The Java Flow in Tillicum next to Subway has added live music to its menu. Kurt Lindsey will strum the magic Thursday, March 27 at 7 p.m.



The brain trust behind Satellite Coffee (817 Division Ave., Tacoma) will chat you up for hours on the science behind making the perfect cup of coffee. I can’t follow their code-speak. They are smart. And they know their beans.



If you have yet to visit this tiny, elevated coffee house that opened November 2007, drop by Friday, March 21, during its grand opening party held below at its neighbor Supernova Hair and Tattoo. I guarantee you’ll learn a thing or two, drink delicious Stumptown Coffee and hear live music from Eddie Spaghetti and Rontrose Heathman (Satellite co-owner) of The Supersuckers, and Bob Wayne & The Outlaw Carnies. Music begins at 9 p.m., but the free cup of 8-ounce coffee from the French press pushes down at 8 p.m.

FRONT-ROW REVIEWS. Well, more like in the back where I belong.

The Lund Brothers

Bassist Gwon Chang has been with the Lund Brothers for three years. That has to be a record for longest bassists in the band. Chang has solid rock star moves similar to the famous moves of guitarist Chris Lund.



This trio’s music was tailor-made for female hips and, consequently, my appreciative, albeit bloodshot, eyeballs last Thursday at The Swiss. Kings of Tacoma pop, no?

Even with tendonitis of the arm, Chris and drummer/brother Sean always channel the Beatles, even on their score of new, worthy tunes: “Empty Room,” “Nice Guys,” I Don’t Believe,” and “Tell Me.” Nice to hear “Come On” from the Loser days.



Broken Oars

There was a nervous energy inside O’Malley’s Saturday night. Tacoma punk band Broken Oars secured a corner of the Sixth Avenue joint titling it as their green room. I’m milling about their green space with the band and their peeps. I can sense something monumental will happen. There’s drinking, and pacing back and forth, and knuckle punches and everyone sees red.



When a drunk dude tells me to “live long in Proctor” with a hug, that’s my cue to walk down the street for dinner at the Crown Bar.



When I return an hour later, there’s a fistfight going on in the middle of the floor, the long shuffleboard has been conquered by Broken Oars singer Ike Shanaman, and there’s beer everywhere.



“The shuffleboard was my idea,” claims Shanaman the next day.



The band ripped through old and new tunes. Shanaman ripped through a mirror and performed the last half of the show bleeding profusely from his forehead.



“We aint holdin’ back no punches anymore!” he adds.



Neither is the crowd.

LOCAL VOCALS. Time to vote America.

Robbie Walden

Americana music cuts a wide swath these days, encompassing just about anything that involves songwriting and singing by, well, an American.



“I’ve never been one to label my music ’cause I just write and whatever comes out comes out,” explains Tacoma singer-songwriter Robbie Walden. “When I write, I like to write stories and messages. Things people can relate to or get a chuckle out of. I will say that my major influences have been a lot of country artists. Edwin McCaine and Tracy Chapman have become influences in my later years. But I really like the stories country tells, especially old country. So even when I don’t write a traditional country sounding song I still write a story, like country.”



Walden blends country, folk, pop and rock into his Americana, and quite well, I must add. He’s reached the Top 10 in two categories (singer-songwriter and country) at www.famecast.com, the American Idol of the Internet. He encourages everyone to visit the site and vote.



In the meantime, check out the real deal Monday at La Palma. His work with country songwriter Don Goodman has paid off.



[La Palma Mexican Restaurant, Robbie Walden, 7 p.m., 5701 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. S.W., Lakewood, 253.582.8349]



All kinds of great things are comin’ ‘round the bend. I’ll have to elaborate later. The dog wants to go out again …