THE KAMIKAZIES

Saturday, Aug. 22

Scorching. This would be one word to describe the Kamikazies’s brand of no holds barred rock and roll. Two other words might be drunk and disorderly, but let’s not delve into name-calling or nitpicking. The bottom line is this relatively new Seattle band has its blackened heart set on re-injecting the danger and adrenalin back into sweaty bar rock shows — and good on ‘em for taking on the task. In a world seemingly full of eyeliner and contrived emotional trauma, lord knows someone needed to do it. You’ll find none of that crap with this band — just amps cranked to 11 and boots laced for ass kicking. If this band was scarred by their parents divorce, it doesn’t show — which is as it should be. They’ll do well at the Jive. — Matt Driscoll

[Bob’s Java Jive, with Lysergic Eye, The Atomic Bomb Audition, The Circus in Your Town, 8 p.m., $5, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

DK ROSS BENEFIT

Sunday, Aug. 23

Life really fucking sucks sometimes. I don’t know how else to say it. When you look at a picture like that of David-Kenny Ross, the young boy struck by a boat while kayaking on American Lake earlier this year, and think of the severe brain damage and broken bones this young man sustained, there’s really nothing else you can say. As a parent, it makes my heart simply ache. It also makes me wonder if there’s any way — even small — that I can help Ross and his family. Meconi’s in Tacoma was thinking the same thing, and this Sunday they’ll be holding a benefit for Ross to show their support for a boy who didn’t deserve the cards he was dealt, and help his family deal with the mounting medical costs. Music will be provided by Loose Gravel & the Quarry, Chrome Molly — an AC/DC tribute band, 2112 — a Rush tribute band, and many more. Comedians Chris Brannon and Riggs will also be on hand. The event runs from noon to 8 p.m., and — really, truly — there’s no better way to spend a Sunday. Donations small and large will be accepted and appreciated. — MD

[Meconi’s Tacoma Pub & Eatery, with Glenn Harrell, Relentless, Grease Guemsey, Loose Gravel & the Quarry, Dave Roberts, Chrome Molly, Riggs, 2112, 709 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.3388]

OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL

Sunday, Aug. 23

Twang. You hear that? It’s called a twang. And guess what: there’s more where that came from. Folks, the Outlaw Music Festival is rollin’ into town, and it’s prepared to “two-timin’ woman” and “cross-roads-meetin’ devil” the s*** out of you. A ragtag bunch of bluesy, countryish bands will gather together at O’Malley’s for a night of rowdiness followed (hopefully) by many tears cried in beers. If ever there was a time to break out your leather jacket with the fringe and the white rose emblem, now’s the time. Oh, and your dog died. And your woman left you. And alls you got left is your geetar. Beer full of tears yet? — Rev. Adam McKinney

[O’Malley’s Irish Pub, with Ten Miles of Bad Road, The Kings of Outlaw Country, Last Chance Romeos, the Siderailers, Johnson County, 5 p.m., $5, 2403 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.3144]