I’ve had the pleasure of covering music in Tacoma for a long time. I’ve seen a lot of bands come and go, and I’ve logged a lot of words on the subject. I’ve stirred up column fodder every week for almost five years here at the Weekly Volcano, and during that time I’ve written about an alarming number of Tacoma bands — some on multiple occasions.

It’s both a blessing and potential problem.



Of course, familiarity with the scene and the bands of Tacoma is mainly an asset. Usually the fact that I know some people and have a history writing about music in T-town helps me know what’s worth writing about and who to talk to when I need info. I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world, or even a naked photo of John McCain partying with underage hookers.



However, sometimes it can be an invisible obstacle. Sometimes I’ve become so familiar with a band or musician that when I’m writing about them I forget the most important part: describing their sound.



While I like to think a handful of people read Rock Rhetoric with some regularity, the reality is most of the people who stumble on these words aren’t Tacoma music aficionados. They’re music fans, sure, but leaving out a band’s sound when devoting 800 words to them likely leaves many in Volcano Land scratching their heads. And rightly so. While I’m not a big fan of describing noise with words (shit like: the guitars crescendo like waves of tears on the jagged shore, the drums cracked like machine gun fire in the humid jungle, the bass pounded like Nikki Sixx’s heart after half an eightball) it doesn’t take a brainiac to realize telling people how a band sounds is fairly important if you’re trying to spark interest.



This week, all of the above is moot. The temptation to leave out a description of a band’s sound arises only when I’ve written about the band in the past. This week the territory is all new.



Ladies and gentleman, meet Twilight Drive, who will play Jazzbones this Friday, April 4.

Though I’m familiar with Twilight Drive bassist Vinny Beatty from his work in Never Quite Never Still, when he introduced me to Twilight Drive in an e-mail a few months ago it was the first I’d heard of the new project. Since they played their first show in December at Jazzbones, I assume I wasn’t alone in my unfamiliarity. Now, as Twilight Drive once again prepares to take the stage at the Boneyard, it’s time Tacoma takes note.



The only genre that fits Twilight Drive is the all-encompassing brand of “rock.” Beyond that, it’s up to individual ears to decide. Jangly and hypnotic guitar lines permeate a soundscape as tight as it is frayed — creating a comforting affect much like a time tested pair of Levis. Elements of garage meet artistic meanderings, and the voice of Twilight Drive frontman Patrick Smyth skillfully carries the load. More direct than much of indiedom and more visionary than most pure rock, Twilight Drive exists somewhere in the middle, where the windows are open and the possibilities are endless.



And that’s just going by the two songs the band has on MySpace.



“Twilight Drive is made possible by the sincere dedication, passion and creativity of four musicians who are not only bandmates, but friends,” says Twilight Drive drummer Eric Crozier.



“The right ingredients added at the right time produced Twilight Drive. This has been and continues to be my best experience in playing music.”



“The chemistry we have is amazing, and we have a very open environment that harvests all ideas and creativity,” adds Beatty.



For those who need a little more than a couple of tunes posted on MySpace, Twilight Drive has been working on an EP that they hope to release soon. No doubt a taste of things to come will be unleashed at Jazzbones this Friday.



“The EP is untitled at the moment but is going to have five songs. We are taking the DIY approach and are producing it ourselves. It costs a lot of money to get studio time, work with a producer, etc. and, since we wanted time to experiment and develop the songs as we recorded, doing it ourselves made the most sense. It’s a lot of work but it’s been very rewarding, artistically,” says Smyth.



When will it be released, you ask.



“Spring. That’s all we really know. We said February, then March, then decided not to set any more expectations. We could put it out today but I don’t think any of us would feel right knowing that we could give people something better with a little more time,” explains Smyth.



“I am very pleased and very excited on how this first EP is coming together. We have all contributed our talents, and this EP will show every bit of the effort and love of music we share.”



As will Twilight Drive’s show this Friday, I’m sure. With a sound that’s ripe for the picking and a drive that’s palpable, Twilight Drive is setting the scene for good things to come. Their show at Jazzbones is your chance to get in on the ground floor.



[Jazzbones, Twilight Drive, Trolls Cottage, Bumma Stoge, Matt Coughlin, Friday, April 4, 8 p.m., all ages, $8, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]



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