GABY MORENO

Thursday, June 4

How’d you learn to speak English? Probably the usual, American boring way, huh? Your parents probably repeated words like potty, diaper and teddy bear over and over and over — and eventually you caught on. One day you put the bear on the potty and said something remarkable like “Bear potty!” and you’re parents had never been prouder. Well, not to make you feel average, but Gaby Moreno — originally from Guatemala —learned to speak English by taking in the timeless blues of luminaries like BB King and Robert Johnson. If you don’t already feel a little inadequate, perhaps this is the time to mention that Moreno also plays a mean axe, and since moving to LA in 2001 to attend The Musician’s Institute, Moreno’s one-of-a-kind songwriting and captivating presence have had her on the fast track to, well, whatever it is that musicians strive for in the age of the Internet. (The cover of the Rolling Stone is sooo outdated, no?) Check out Moreno and Tacoma’s Vicci Martinez on Thursday at Doyle’s in what can only be considered a perfect pairing. — Matt Driscoll

[Doyle’s Public House, with Vicci Martinez, 7 p.m., no cover, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

WITCHBURN

Friday, June 5

“Bible stories, witches and whiskey.” Admit it. You’re a bit curious now. Well that is just a sampling of the influences that Witchburn lists on their Web site. Some might attend the show for the eye-candy of the women on the stage, some might prefer the heavy Southern rock guitar riffs, and some might just like a heavier brand of rock. One thing is for sure: the music of Witchburn is an enchanting combination of all three. Just in case the audience isn’t convinced of the unconventional nature of this rock and roll brigade, an electric violin is thrown in for legitimate artistic measure. Be prepared for passionate metal delivered with gritty energy and confident musical ability when Witchburn sets Hell’s Kitchen aflame. — Lauren Napier

[Hell’s Kitchen, Witchburn with Stone Axe, Lozen, Vista Switch, Zook, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

HOW NOW BROWN COW

Saturday, June 6

I was talking with a friend recently about funk — about how I don’t like it. “You must not play bass,” he said. He was right, of course. No bass player dislikes funk; it represents the height of his art. That’s the problem. I’ve seen too many good rock bands tainted by bassists with funky ambitions. So I’m prejudiced. But I’m slowly, slowly coming around, thanks in part to Seattle groove grinders How Now Brown Cow. Yeah, the bass is twangy as hell, but it’s tempered by jazzy, blue-note dropping horns and keys. Largely improvisational, HNBC sounds like Coltrane playing the theme song to CHiPs, mixing high art with ’70s camp. Throw in tasty samples and some cowbell, and, boy, you’re cookin’ up a party. Bowmp chicka bowmp bow. — Mark Thomas Deming

[Eastside Club Tavern, 9 p.m., 410 E. 4th Ave., Olympia, 360.357.9985]

MISTER BUCKET, DURANGO 95, THE ZOMBATS

Saturday, June 6

Face it. If you’ve never shoved a dulling safety pin through your flesh you’ve never lived. OK, you may have lived — but you’ve never REALLY lived — bleeding, ouchy punk rock style. And what else is there, really? Lucky for you, Tacoma’s whippersnapper punk scene will show you how to do it — not shove safety pins through your skin, mind you, but replicate the experience live on stage. Saturday at Hell’s Kitchen, Durango 95, T-town’s punk rock darlings, will share the stage with the always frightening(ly exuberant) punk horror band the Zombats and Mister Bucket — who despite forming in ’07 will be calling this all-ages gig their last as a band. Expect plenty of power chords and spiked swagger to be on display. — Matt Driscoll

[Hell’s Kitchen, Durango 95 with Mister Bucket, the Zombats, Degenerated, 5 p.m., $6, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]