ROSE MELBERG

Thursday, Oct. 22
Honesty is what it’s all about. It carries an artist or band farther than talent alone ever will. Listeners know when they’re being duped, and they know when they’re getting the real deal — and Rose Melberg is the very definition of the real deal. An alum of the Olympia and Portland scenes — think Tiger Trap and Go Sailor and the Softies — Melberg’s honey-drenched voice and songwriting skills have long been on display, both solo style (as her show at Northern in Olympia will demonstrate) and in group settings — where she’s worked with the likes of Neko Case and Elliot Smith. Melberg’s latest solo effort, Homemade Ship, was released in September by K Records. Those already familiar with the record no doubt have Melberg’s Northern show circled on the calendar — and those who aren’t now know what to do. Rose Melberg deserves your ears. — Matt Driscoll
[Northern, with Kellarissa, Calvin Johnson, 8 p.m., $6, all ages, 321 Fourth Ave., Olympia, olympiaallages.org]

RED HEX

Friday, Oct. 23
Red Hex sounds to me like what people in the early ‘60s must have heard when the Sonics burst on the scene: This is rock ‘n’ roll, right? Then why is it so loud and frenetic? Why does it sound like the drums are in pain? And if it’s rock ‘n’ roll, why is the lead singer screaming so much? Red Hex is hardcore music firmly rooted in rock basics; though they’re abrasive, the songs ride on solid, even slightly surfy riffs. And even in the course of a two-minute, ear-drum-exploding punk song, they somehow find the time for a Chuck Berry-esque solo. It’s a pleasant reminder that there’s enough room in rock for everyone, and Red Hex may be here to bring us together. — Rev. Adam McKinney
[The Den @ urbanXchange, with Johnny Chzbrger, Apache Chief, Buffalo Thunder, Spectacular Optical, 7 p.m., $3, all ages, 1932 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253.572.2280]

FANG

Saturday, Oct. 24
Fang is coming to Hell’s Kitchen, and quite honestly writing this preview scares the crap out of me. The last thing I want to do is cross a band like Fang — hell, I might end up dead. That’d suck. So, instead, I’ll play it safe and just give Hell’s Kitchen props for continuing to bring real life punk icons to town — this time in the form of the legendary East Bay band that Sam McBride (Sammytown, these days) helped make famous. Fang may be older than you, and it might seem like the band’s best days are behind them, but that doesn’t mean these punks won’t sonically lash you with a bike chain and break bottles of JD over your head. S***, they might even do that for real — no “sonically” about it. Of course, I mean that in the best way possible. Seriously, guys. No trouble here.  … — MD
[Hell’s Kitchen, with Cody Foster’s Army, I Defy, The Triple Sixes, Three Punch Drunks, 8 p.m., $7, 3829 Sixth Ave, Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DUB

Friday, Oct. 30
More brains! More bass! Kip Hops, who has a twice-weekly radio program on KEXP, and veteran DJs dAb, D:FI, Suga Jones, Flat Black and Grym present Tacoma with a huge array of talent. Night of the Living Dub producer Matt Eklund of Pacific Fusion Productions shared via email that he’s super stoked for the DJ line up and also glad to be partnering with Lotus Inc. (Deron Suga Jones) to bring this full scale zombie party to Tacoma. “All the music is strictly drum and bass, dubstep and raga,” says Jones, who sees Tacoma as “hungry” for a new sound. Attending zombie partygoers will have plenty of musical “brains” to feed on. Non-stop chest and brain thumping bass, blazing visuals by DJ dAb, liquid potions, mingling with witches, vampires, ghouls, fiends, freaks defying description, and check it — Zombie Breakdancers. It’s clear The Warehouse won’t be the scene of a typical house music party. — Jennifer Johnson
[The Warehouse, Night of the Living Dub, 9 p.m., $15 presale at brownpapertickets.com, $20 door, 1117 Court East, Tacoma, myspace.com/notld253]