This is a great time to be alive in the South Puget Sound. Many of us have just experienced what could be called our first true long and snowy winter. Shit, I’ve still got a cold and the sun’s been out for four days straight. Every day on my walk downtown, the random sprouts of daffodils through the streets on the eastside of Olympia make me think a coalition of trickster neighbors were out spreading more than good cheer last year. I turn a corner into an otherwise decrepit alley and get the best view of Olympia — a panoramic vista of building tops framed by the luscious pink blossoms of twin cherry trees. The town opens up to me like a smitten, willing lover, taking me as I am into its longing, softly cooing, “I am but the canvas, paint your day.”



Why you’d want to live anywhere else than Olympia on a sunny April day, I don’t know.

In Greek mythology, spring arrives as Persephone’s return from the underworld. Such is Demeter’s joy at the return of her abducted daughter that her icy spell cast upon the world thaws, and life begins anew. Spring comes forth and with it we welcome its buds and flowers, and regrettably the damned pollen that rides its coattails, easing its way into your eyes and nose until you are a sniffling, puffy mess — but such is the price for the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.



It is with these notes on rebirth that I bear witness to another great phenomenon. Many of our storied rock veterans are coupling off and reproducing in various forms. Some are having babies, and some are birthing new musical projects. This Friday’s show at the Eastside plays host to both forms.



In a Dionysian celebration worthy of its Roman namesake, Bacchus has thrown together a tremendous bill to celebrate bass player Sean McCoy’s ascent into his mid 30s. Putting the call out to his third-grade best friend, To The Waves frontman and fellow Olympia High School ‘92 alum Jesse Fox, McCoy recalls the simpler times before there was all this growing up stuff.



“We used to have a hypothetical band where I played guitar and he played drums,” he says, “but mostly we just did it Weird Al style, writing our own lyrics over Michael Jackson songs.”



To The Waves draws from many influences, including Drive Like Jehu and Fugazi, but inevitably comparisons fall back to more local sounds, for which there is good reason. Fox is the drummer for the legendary Seaweed and fronted Polecat, whose bass player Cheryl Hooper is also in Waves.



“We’re pulling from a number of influences but basically we’re really just trying to add our own spin to the Northwest sound,” says Fox.



McCoy, whose laughter is infectiously pervasive, explains warmly that life is about as surreal as it gets right now. His girlfriend, the darling Nikki, Brotherhood bartendress extraordinaire, is pregnant with the couple’s second child. When asked whether they knew the sex yet, Nikki, with eyes reeling, believes it will be another boy. The couple’s first son, the mighty Quinn, recently turned 2.



“We’re gonna find out on Friday before the show,” McCoy chuckles.

McCoy’s record label, RxEvolution Recordings, is also turning one. The label, which he runs with his brother, boasts releases from Port Orchard sludgemeisters Mos Generator and Seattle powerhouse The Valley, the latter of which will be on the bill Friday. With one compilation showcasing the Left Coast’s up and comers released last year and another in the works, McCoy sees no signs of slowing in the near future.



“I’m having trouble even keeping up with all the Bacchus shows right now,” admits McCoy. “We wanted to do a big anniversary thing and the birthday thing, but it’s kind of just all rolled into one this weekend. I’m just looking forward to rocking out.”



So as the rites of spring trudge into summer and the full moon nears, Bacchus, the Roman liberator comes forth with wine and frivolity to recharge our winter weary souls. Make sure you bring Sean a spanking.



[The Eastside Club Tavern, Bacchus, The Valley, To The Waves, Friday, April 10, 9 p.m., $4, 410 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.357.9985]