THE VILE RED FALCONS

Thursday, May 7

Do you have a goatee, or perhaps a pair of those hybrid muttonchop sideburns shaved into sharp points heading toward your mouth? Are you the guy that drove past me the other day in that Honda Civic with a busted-out back window blasting STP’s “Plush” through the stereo worth more than the car? If so, consider introducing yourself to The Vile Red Falcons. You’ll probably find you have things in common, like a love for the churning, sludgy warmth of the ’90s, grunge-built music scene and a fondness for wearing thermal undershirts. Really, you and The Vile Red Falcons are probably perfect for each other. The band has been busy building a name for itself since doing a detuned cannonball into the scene late last year, and you — you’ve just been doing your thing all hardcore since 1991. It’s a match made in heaven — which, yes, probably does have beer bottles strewn all around it like Eddie Vedder’s backdrop in Hype. — Matt Driscoll

[The New Frontier Lounge, with the Dirty Change Up, the Fuzz, 9 p.m., $3, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

THOUGHT BANDIT, SHIP TO SHIP

Saturday, May 9

Not afraid of small spaces? Not afraid of strong drinks? Not afraid of body hair? Chances are you’re already familiar with Olympia’s Le Voyeur. If this is the case, then you know the teeny, tiny venue also houses some of the best, least hyped, most eclectic shows around. Venture inside Le Voyeur and you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get — aside from a proudly served slice of Oly life. It could be just your thing, or it could repulse you like the sight of Bobble Tiki with his shirt off. Saturday, Thought Bandit and Ship to Ship will bring the back room at Le Voyeur to life. Ship to Ship wanders through a torrent of heavy yet introspective classic rock devices, and Thought Bandit wades in similar water, though at times they stomp around in their boots a little bit more and make waves in less expected ways. It might get muddy, and you’ll have to change your socks afterward, but the best things in life don’t come without sacrifice. — Bobble Tiki

[Le Voyeur, 8 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

TO THE WAVES

Saturday, May 9

Listening to To The Waves as I write this, I’m seriously having flashbacks to high school, my radio cranked all the way up, the wonderful sounds of alternative ’90s rock controlling the cadence of my make-out sessions. To the Waves is a Latin translation meaning “To Hell” and knowing this, I gladly climb in for the ride. I hang tight as they build a crescendo of sometimes heavy sometimes light, delicious indie rock. Each song seems to envelop a mix of their own heat and flavor, spiced with likeness to Fugazi and Drive Like Jehu. With members from Seaweed, Polecat, Leuko and Pipefitter, no wonder listening to the catchy riffs and well-executed vocals makes me feel like putting on lip gloss and puckering up. — Nikki Talotta

[Bob’s Java Jive, with With A Bullet, Pilots And Passengers, The Purps, 8 p.m., $5, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843.]

OPERATION IVAN

Tuesday, May 12

In Berkley, Calif., in 1987, Operation Ivy became a band. Two years later, in May 1989, they broke up. Half of the members went on to do stuff that no one knows about, and the other half went on to form Rancid. Operation Ivy was a legendary influence in the neo-punk underground and has seemed to live in infamy for the past 20 years. They are so legendary that local band Operation Ivan has decided to devote their entire set — entire existence, really — to Op Ivy. The only thing I find a bit bizarre about this is Op Ivy only released one album. Luckily, the album has 27 songs on it, but with the longest song topping out at 2 minutes and 45 seconds it seems like Operation Ivan would have to play every single song Operation Ivy ever released to have a complete set. We’ll see. — Chuck Dula

[Hell’s Kitchen, with McMonster the Devastator, Paper Mache, Mury, 5 p.m., no cover, 3829 Sixth Ave, Tacoma, 253.759.6003]