Most of the time it’s easy — deciding which shows to go to on a given week in the South Sound, that is.

Usually there’s one or two shows head and heals above the rest, and it’s easy to make your musical decisions because of it.

This week it’s not quite as easy.

Sure, there’ll be plenty of talent taking to the stage in Tacoma and Olympia this week, but all the shows are about even — at least on my semi-professional rating scale. How is a local music fan to choose?

Well, as G.I. Joe taught us, knowing is half the battle. Here’s a quick look at some of this weekend’s best musical bets. Hopefully this column, not to mention the rest of the Weekly Volcano’s music section, can act as a roadmap to live music enjoyment this weekend.

Dream On

So, you like “tribute bands” and you’re not ashamed of it, right? Every time Hell’s Belles is in town you’re up front and sweating right along with them? Originality be damned, you say to yourself. “I love the hits!”

Well, if you haven’t already, please meet Dream On — billed as an “almost all female” tribute to Aerosmith. The band will be playing Hell’s Kitchen this Thursday, Oct. 8, and if it wasn’t for a dude playing the part of Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford, they could knock the “almost” right off that billing. After busting out a refurbished lineup in June at the Tractor in Seattle, Dream On has been, well, sounding a lot like Aerosmith. The real question is, I suppose, will Jen, who plays Steven Tyler, accidentally fall off stage and mash up her shoulder, leading Laurie, who emulates Joe Perry, to openly question Jen’s commitment to the band?

Probably not.

Voxxy Vallejo

Who doesn’t like a birthday party? No one worth caring about. And who doesn’t like a birthday party involving top-notch local singer songwriters, at one of Tacoma’s booziest establishments?

Again, no one worth caring about.

On Friday, Oct. 9, Voxxy from Voxxy Vallejo will celebrate her birthday with an early show at Jazzbones, a show set to be opened by equally captivating artists Andrea Wittgens and Seattle’s Central Services — a band Wittgens also does time in, and is something of a popish mix that definitely has a hint of The New Pornographers to it.

Voxxy Vallejo, of course, are few in numbers but formidable in power. On stage it’s just the two of them — the blues heavy guitar licks of Gene Vallejo spliced with the awe factor of Voxxy’s vocals — but that’s more than enough. Voxxy Vallejo has the ability to make you forget it’s just the two of them, especially on record where the multi-instrumentalism of Vallejo makes their sound complete.

Get to Jazzbones early to catch this Friday night show — and be warned. Just Dirt will be playing the late show, so unless your life smells like Abercrombie perfume, be equally prepared to get the hell out of there.

Desolation Wilderness

Desolation Wilderness is young, which makes the band’s Friday all ages show at Northern in Olympia fairly appropriate. The band also hails from Olympia, further strengthening the case.

Really, this show is just right for so many reasons.

What started as an experiment in electronica way back in 2005 has blossomed into something more palpable to ears not necessarily seduced by artistic tinkering. Sure, there’s plenty to artistry to what Desolation Wilderness does, which Weekly Volcano scribe Rev. Adam McKinney likens to hearing bubblegum pop blasting from an underwater phonograph, but through a deal with K Records and continued exposure, the band seems to have found a sweet spot that walks an even line between all out experimentation for the sake of experimentation and generic indie rock. It’s not too loud, but it’s not too soft either — if you catch my drift. For kids and aged ears alike, Desolation Wilderness’s show at Northern should be on the radar. 

[Hell’s Kitchen, Dream On with Creem City, Panama Gold, Vanna D & the Calamity, Thursday, Oct. 8, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

[Jazzbones, Voxxy Vallejo with Central Services, Andrea Wittgens, Friday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m., $5, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

[Northern, Desolation Wilderness with Christmas, Christopher Francis & Son, Friday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m., cover charge TBA, 321 Fourth Ave., Olympia, www.olympia allages.org]