East Coast versus West Coast. Bobble Tiki’s not talking about a hip-hop war this time, rather the preconceptions and stereotypes that people from both places seem to harbor for the other.



Bobble Tiki’s as guilty as anyone. Bobble Tiki figures everyone from New York is exactly like someone he’s seen on Seinfeld. New York is probably full of Kramers and Costanzas and Newmans — not to mention Soup Nazis. Deep down Bobble Tiki knows it’s probably not true, but it doesn’t stop him. This is the nature of unfounded preconceptions.



Bobble Tiki figures it’s only safe to assume New Yorkers have some misinformed ideas about folks here in the Pacific Northwest, too. They probably think we drink too much coffee, hug too many trees, and own too many Soundgarden records.



Perhaps Sunday, May 4 at the Brotherhood Lounge in Olympia can serve as a learning experience for both coasts — or at the very least Bobble Tiki. That’s because Lismore, an electro-twosome with a knack for getting the party started right, will be in town from NYC to bring smiles and gyrations to the dance floor — and it’ll be like nothing Bobble Tiki has ever seen on Seinfeld. The situation is perfect for an eye opening.



Lismore is vocalist Penelope Trappes and composer and instrumentalist Stephen Hindman. Together, they started Lismore in 2002, though back then the band had more members and less certainty in their creative vision. Six years later, Lismore has focused their energy on laptop powered indie disco (to the delight of club kids and fans of electronic pop across the country) and have proceeded to cut the fat, both by reducing the band to a two-piece, and by refining their sound to what Trappes and Hindman do best — electronic powered, melodic dance hits with punk rock attitude.



The results are infectious, hard to deny, and will be on full display this Sunday in Olympia.



“We started out as neighbors and friends and then decided to work on music together since we seemed to have really similar past and current music tastes. We totally trust each other on what we bring to a song or performance. No drama. No overcorrecting,” says Hindman.



“Penelope does the vocals, lyrics, and some synth stuff. I do the programming, instruments, synths, etc.”



“Our teamwork and partnership are tight, so there really aren’t any drawbacks,” adds Trappes.

“We are super lucky to be able to say that.”



While most of Lismore’s magic stems from the band’s live show, Trappes and Hindman managed to capture much of that magic on Lismore’s debut full length, We Could Connect or We Could Not, which hit the street in 2004. Though the band has released two EPs since We Could Connect, a full length follow-up has not been available. That will all change by July at the latest.



“We are looking for a label to release the (new full length). The album is done, and we keep adding to it,” says Hindman.



“If no other labels that we like want it, we’re releasing it on our own label, Cult-Hero, probably in July to coincide with a European tour.”



While it doesn’t sound like a new Lismore record will be available for the band’s show this Sunday at the Brotherhood, Bobble Tiki wouldn’t be surprised if Hindman and Trappes unleashed a new beat or two upon Olympia’s indie-disco hungry masses. Bobble Tiki figures the duo has more synthesized tricks up their sleeves than they know what to do with, and probably can’t help but break out the fresh stuff when they hit the stage. They’ll be joined at the Broho by their homeboy AC Slater, a Brooklyn-based DJ with an affinity for anything ’80s — especially if it’s kind of homoerotic. No word yet on whether Screech will be on hand.

(Sorry. The hack writer’s guild requires Bobble Tiki to make a Saved by the Bell joke any time A.C. Slater is mentioned. Rules are rules.)



“AC is our mate. We all decided it would be super fun to tour together so we all combined our efforts and organized it,” offers Trappes.



“We have collaborated with him on some tracks, so it made sense to take it on the road.”



“Each show is about having fun and about dancing, jumping, going a tad crazy. Who wouldn’t want to join in?” she continues. “I love Olympia! I love the Brotherhood and (owner) Pit. When we were out in Olympia on tour last year we met great people and times, and I’m totally looking forward to doing it all again.”



For Olympia, the feeling should be reciprocal. When Lismore hits the Broho this Sunday it’s going to be a good time. Bobble Tiki may not know a lot about NYC, but he knows that much.

Of course, don’t get Bobble Tiki wrong. As usual he doesn’t care what you do this week because he doesn’t even know you. You could be forced to spend seven days trapped in an elevator listening to John Tesch cover Iggy and the Stooges and Bobble Tiki wouldn’t lose any sleep. He’s just kind of self centered like that, and a little bit of a dick. Just join Bobble Tiki at www.weeklyvolcanospew.com for all your South Sound blogosphere needs, and ask yourself a question. Isn’t that close enough to Bobble Tiki?



[The Brotherhood Lounge, Kismore, DJ AC Slater, DJ Joee Irwin, Grab The Bat Killer, Sunday, May 4, 9 p.m., $3, 119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.352.4153]