VOLUNTEERS

Thursday, July 2

Something tells me Volunteers is going to go over well in Tacoma. A classic rock inspired mix of sex, drugs, debauchery, open chords and more drugs thrown in for good measure – Volunteers comes off like Brooklyn’s version of The Jet City Fix, replacing the Buckcherry vibe of JCF with a ratted hair indie bent that’s a little less embarrassing to get behind in places beyond the 253. Having released the impressively solid Spectrophilia last year, not to mention having music featured on MTV’s Real World: Brooklyn and Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club, Volunteers seems on the cusp of greatness — or at the very least notoriety beyond rock and roll obscurity — which is all you can really ask for, right? If you miss Volunteers at the Java Jive tonight, think about catching them live on stage at the Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam this November. No joke. — Matt Driscoll

[Bob’s Java Jive, 8 p.m., $5, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

KRIS ORLOWSKI

Thursday, July 2

Bobble Tiki likes to say he put the pop in “pop rock” — but that’s only because of the alarming noises Bobble Tiki’s joints make when he gets out on the dance floor. Those that have witnessed Bobble Tiki bust out the running man at Kry shows know exactly the sound Bobble Tiki’s talking about — and it’s not pretty. Luckily, when Kris Orlowski plays The New Frontier this week, Bobble Tiki probably wont be inspired to dance — rather, he’ll just sit happily nursing a strong drink and enjoying the radio ready sounds of one of the Northwest’s more talented singer songwriters. These are the lessons Bobble Tiki is learning with age. According to MySpace, Kris Orlowski “has an edgy roots-rock mix with hints of alternative and pop jazz-fusion” — but that all sounds like mumbo jumbo to Bobble Tiki. Let’s just say this Orlowski fellow knows how to pen a catchy number. — Bobble Tiki

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Boscoe’s Brood, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

DEATH FIRST

Friday, July 3

Even though with a name like Death First it may seem like it, this band is more than just metal. Or at least that’s what they’d have you believe. Based out of Buckley, Death First has listed influences as far ranging as Dylan, Beethoven and Radiohead, but when it comes right down to it these five dudes shred — there’s no way to deny it. Check out the band’s contribution to 104.9FM the Funky Monkey’s From the Monkey’s Garage Vol. 2 — which features “Bleed the King” — one intense, guitar driven burner that seems to have everything a song could possibly need to make agro dudes and construction workers everywhere bow their heads in appreciation. Before you blow out your eardrums on the Fourth of July, check out Death First the night before at Hell’s Kitchen. — MD

[Hell’s Kitchen, with The Outfit, Pretty Ugly, Chicos Revenge, Peratus, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

DEADWOOD REVIVAL

Thursday, July 9

Contrary to what some will have you believe, Tacoma is the type of town where bluegrass can thrive. Just because white folks with trust funds and Subarus have stuck their flag in the genre (a flag covered with Apple stickers and ticket stubs from that summer they followed Dave Matthews Band to “decompress” after the rigors of the college drum circle circuit), it doesn’t mean the music’s roots will just fade into nothing and become meaningless. No, bluegrass will always be a genre created by hardscrabble immigrants and played with the passion of calloused hands. Bluegrass, at heart, is blue collar – and the same thing can be said about Tacoma. For this reason, Deadwood Revival’s foot stompin set at Doyle’s on Thursday, July 9 is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Whether Subarus from the North End descend on Tacoma’s favorite public house in droves, or the dusty and faded denim of our city’s south and east sides shows up in bigger numbers, Thursday at Doyle’s is sure to be a good time. For fans of bluegrass, this one’s a no brainer. — MD

[Doyle’s Public House, 7-9 p.m., no cover, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]