SKELETONS WITH FLESH ON THEM

Friday-July 24-Saturday, July 25

Self-proclaimed freak folk Afro-Cuban Columbia grad studentcore crew Skeletons With Flesh On Them is on its way to Le Voyeur in Olympia on Friday and Bob’s Java Jive this Saturday. This four-piece freak show is harmless, despite the spooky name, consisting of Scott Roots on vocals and guitar, Neal Flaherty on guitar, Lucas Smith on bass and Devon Stewart on drums and back ups. This is music for driving in the sun — honest, expansive, complex, and catchy as hell. You’ll find yourself rolling their melodies around in your head, wishing you had room in your apartment to do a cartwheel. In an age where pop culture is relentlessly capitalizing on entropy, Skeletons With Flesh on Them is a breath of fresh air. — Paul Schrag 

[Le Voyeur, Friday, July 24, with Stencil, 8 pm., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave E, Olympia, 360.943.5710]

[Bob’s Java Jive, with Battersea, Stencil, 8 p.m., 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

CHURCH OF HATE

Saturday, July 25

Can I just say that metal is being eaten alive from within? As emo-vibes seep into the once proud genre, diluting it with a thousand songs about dysfunctional drunks ex-girlfriends, the need for more brutality, more double bass and crunch riffs, more mean, becomes paramount. These days, as a survivor of several Milwaukee Metalfests and lifelong seeker of the most vicious music available, there’s nothing like finding something I can really break my teeth on. Church of Hate is one of those crews that gives me hope for the future of metal. They’ll celebrate the release of their latest album this Saturday at Hell’s Kitchen. Take note, you pansies. — PS 

[Hell’s Kitchen, with Terra Morra, Benign, Rowan, 9 p.m., $7, 3829 Sixth Ave, Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

PIONEERS WEST

Saturday, July 25

If you’ve read all the show previews preceding this one, you know Saturday is going to be one hell of a night for music in Tacoma. The options are almost limitless — from metal mayhem to indie goodness. But come Saturday at the Top of Tacoma Bar and Café, it’ll be business as usual — and that business, at least on this evening, will include the musical scolding of two of Tacoma’s most gaze worthy bands. While the decision of what to do Saturday may be difficult for some, for the Top of Tacoma’s devoted clientele and family, it’ll be a no brainer. Mix the “western doom” of Pioneers West with the Tacoma perfect slaying of Goldwing and Rory Barham, and, well, you’ve got something worth drinking (heavily) to.  — Matt Driscoll

[Top of Tacoma Bar and Café, Pioneers West with Goldwing, 9 p.m., no cover, 3529 Mckinley Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1502]