No, Bobble Tiki has far more to be excited about than simply Thanksgiving right now. Not only will Bobble Tiki’s bloodstream be injected with tryptophan and Banquet Beer this Thursday — instead of the usual coffee and self-doubt that fills Bobble Tiki’s being when he’s at the office — but on Saturday, Nov. 29, Bobble Tiki’s all time favorite tribute band — Hell’s Belles — will be at Hell’s Kitchen for two (count ’em, two!), pre AC/DC parties.
 

Oh yeah, did Bobble Tiki mention that AC/DC will be at the Tacoma Dome Sunday?
 

That’s right. As Bobble Tiki was saying, he’s got plenty to be excited about. Thanksgiving, AC/DC and Hell’s Belles. If there’s been a better week in recent memory, well, Bobble Tiki can’t remember one.
 

Bobble Tiki has long been enamored by Hell’s Belles — the now world famous all-female AC/DC tribute band originally created by Seattle guitarist Amy Stozenbach and former frontwoman extraordinaire Om Johari. That was back in 2000, and eight years later — longer than it’s been since AC/DC’s last stop in Tacoma — Bobble Tiki’s love for Hell’s Belles persists. There’s just something about that mixture of teenage boy rock and roll and sweaty feminine sex appeal that makes Bobble Tiki gaga for Hell’s Belles.
 

And Bobble Tiki’s not alone. Almost a decade after the band’s initial formation, Hell’s Belles remains extremely popular and continues to play shows the world over.
 

“We just try to do the best we can to honor the band we like so much,” says Hell’s Belles’ version of Malcolm Young, rhythm guitarist Lisa Brisbois — who along with bassist Mandy Reed (Cliff Williams), lead guitarist Adrian Conner (Angus), drummer Melodie Zapata (Phil Rudd) and lead vocalist Jamie Nova (a Bon Scott, Brian Johnson hybrid) make up today’s version of the band. 
 

“Tacoma is one of our favorite places to play,” says Brisbois. “I just love this band so much. There’s so much music, and every show we play is completely different. I still have fun at every show, we all have so much fun.”
 

One might think, after paying tribute to AC/DC for so long, that the excitement might wane or the appeal might die down, but with Hell’s Belles that doesn’t seem to be the case. Despite the fact that the band’s five members are now spread across the country — from Austin, Texas to Port Orchard — Hell’s Belles seems as excited as ever about their craft — especially with a new AC/DC record –   Black Ice (released in October) — to now choose from.
 

“I’m always on pins and needles when a band I really like releases a long awaited record,” says Brisbois, of Black Ice — which Hell’s Belles plans on working into their set possibly as early as January. “Personally I feel like the new record has some of the old feeling and vibe of AC/DC. I like it. I was expecting to not like it as much as I do.”
 

“I really feel like it’s still exciting,” adds Brisbois of playing with Hell’s Belles. “It’s definitely still challenging.”
 

In case you’re wondering — and Bobble Tiki certainly was — yes, Hell’s Belles will be attending Sunday’s AC/DC show at the Tacoma Dome the night after the band’s two AC/DC pre-show bashes at Hell’s Kitchen. They wouldn’t have it any other way. But to add frosting to the cake, the band will also be giving away a pair of tickets to see AC/DC during the early all-ages pre-show bash Saturday.
 

According to Brisbois, she’s not exactly sure how the band will do that quite yet, but they will. That’s something else they wouldn’t have any other way.
 

“Because KISW is helping out with it, and it’s a pre-show bash, we’re really excited,” says Brisbois. “It just feels like we’ll be getting together with a lot of friends.
 

In truth, the band will be — and Bobble Tiki will be one of them.

As usual, Bobble Tiki doesn’t care what you do this week because he doesn’t even know you. Sorry if that breaks your heart. Just have an extra helping of stuffing Thursday and check out www.weeklyvolcano.com for all your South Sound Interweb needs. Besides, if you got any closer to Bobble Tiki you might be able to see he’s going commando. 

[Hell’s Kitchen, Saturday, Nov. 29: with The Pete Moss Band, 5 p.m., all ages, $10; with Death First and Thunderbird Motel, 9 p.m., 21+, $12-$15; 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]