THE FUN POLICE

Thursday, Aug. 27

It’s a strange thing, asking a band (or a person, for that matter) what they think of themselves. Being that I’m new to the reporting game, my interviewing style is still a work in progress and from time to timeI still ask hackneyed questions like, “How would you describe your sound to people who’ve never heard you before?” Shame. The Fun Police couldn’t possibly answer that question, and they really shouldn’t have to. One member gets as far as, “It’s hard to classify our sound… Maybe Celtic-country-blues-pop-rock…” before the other members interrupt him with a residing “Nahh!” What they forgot was reggae, seemingly a major influence on their “sound,” though I now feel weird using that word. It’s one of many pleasant contradictions that define The Fun Police — one of the ways that they play with the concept of The Band. — Rev. Adam McKinney

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Big Wheel Stunt Squad, Down and Out, 9 p.m., 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

THE STORY OF LIGHT AND DARK

Friday, Aug. 28

We’ve all got plenty of dark and light to contend with these days. Everything seems distorted — the dark is deep and the light is almost blinding. Electro-pop duo The Story of Light and Dark know this all very well, and deliver anthems for an age of extremes, riding synth-heavy, thumping, grinding, groove-rich melancholia. The story never ends, they contend. It’s just a series of chapters cataloging the endless interplay between extremes. The Story of Light and Dark’s two key members, Samuel Trim and Tami Wood, come from interesting backgrounds to make an eclectic mix of music. Wood brings a folk-neo-soul background, infusing graceful tone and melodies with skill. Trim brings a background in electronica, industrial and sub-indie pop. They’ll be at the big coffee pot this Friday. — Paul Schrag

[Bob’s Java Jive, with Blood and Sunshine, Ambulance, 8 p.m., 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

TEAM GINA

Saturday, Aug. 29

What’s better than one Gina? Two Ginas, of course. And what’s better than two Ginas? Well, two Ginas that will suck you in and spit you out, mesmerizing you with dope pulsations and beats and putting on a clinic of mad, pop culture riffing skills. In fact, when Ginas roll like that, you better recognize and call them a team. If you want to see what I’m talking about, check out Team Gina — the lesbionic, faux-rappers from Seattle who seem to have charmed the tight pants off of just about every hipster music critic alive.  Would I call the music of Team Gina revolutionary? Probably not. But, my guess is, neither would Team Gina — made up of Gina Bling and Gina Genius, who claim to have synchronized dance routines that will “blow your mind,” and also claim that they “may or may not have played Zach Morris and Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell.” What would I call Team Gina? Entertaining. Oh, and what’s better than an ambiguously sexual band name? Not much. — Matt Driscoll

[Jazzbones, with 508 Disturbance, 9 p.m., $7, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

THE GALAXIES

Saturday, Aug. 29

Retro shows are always a hairy proposition. There’s always the fear that nostalgia will overbear the music, that kitsch will drown the rock. It’s understandable, considering the very nature of a show featuring bands that specialize in trudging through the past. So it’s with caution that I recommend the Rock at the Dock show, advertised as a car show and dance party. But I feel fairly confident the show will err on the side of awesome. The retro bands in question will be the Nowhere Men (a Beatles tribute band) and the Galaxies, a legitimate legend in the history of Pacific Northwest music. Setting aside the question of a Beatles tribute band, the Galaxies — who will go on around 6:30 p.m. — can be counted on to bring down the house with their vintage brand of garage rock. — Rev. AM

[Johnny’s Dock, Rock at the Dock Hotrod Car Show and All City Dance Party, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., $20, 1900 E. D. St., Tacoma, 253.627.3186]