WEED DIAMOND
>>>Friday, July 16
With the weather finally shaping up in the Pacific Northwest, there’s no better time for Weed Diamond’s balmy, golden-hued beach pop. The band excels in a specific (and very indebted) sub-genre, one that threatens to seal its own fate through blog-o-sphere over saturation.  The band, however, (who hail from Denver, but sound like Californians) are no half-assers, and seem positioned to be crowned the unsung heroes of summer 2010. They’re hooked into a savvy network of surprisingly young, entrepreneurial tape-hawkers and label-runners, all of whom are doing their part to make sure Weed (Diamond) is in healthy circulation. At this rate — even if the weather turns back to shit — with Weed Diamond 7 inches and cassettes in abundance, there will be plenty of sunny, skillfully-rendered sounds at hand to chase away the gray. — Jason Baxter
[Le Voyeur, with Tan Dollar and Dash Jacket, 10 p.m., 21+, no cover, 404 4th Ave E, Olympia, 360.943.5710]

LAKEFAIR
>>> Saturday, July 17
Music, music, everywhere. In the bars and at Lakefair. The streets are filled with sweat and good cheer; the crowds move through, looking for beer. Le Voyeur on Fourth will have Lozen and Blood Bones; McCoy’s down the block will have their infamous Fitz show. Hit up the Fourth Ave Tav and you’ll find The Missionary Position; and make The Eastside’s funk bands part of your mission. The Loft on Cherry has an All City Dance Party; The 109 and China Clipper will have karaoke. And we can’t forget ole Lakefair where there’s rockin’ Freckles Brown; just head on out, there’s music all over town! — Nikki Talotta
[Downtown Olympia, various bands, noon to 2 a.m., no cover to $8, lakefair.org]

PIONEERS WEST
>>> Saturday, July 17
To cut to the chase, Pioneers West is one of the better things this town has going, an unabashed sonic perpetuation and proliferation of a genre of the band’s own making — “Western Doom.” It’s a self-contrived genre that sounds badass, both in name and practice — and this band has it down pat. Saturday, Pioneers West will unveil a new eight-song record, Move West, which was recorded with the expert help of Tacoma Dial Twirling All-Star Kyle Brunette of Nightgowns and Friskey fame. He’s recorded just about every band that’s worth two shits in Tacoma, so the pairing makes sense. See for yourself this weekend. Move West, loyal reader. You won’t be disappointed. — Matt Driscoll
[The New Frontier Lounge, with Musuji, The Skurfs, guests, 9 p.m., Cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR
>>> Monday, July 19
Heavy, blues-adelic rock can be just as indulgent as hard candy — so, so tasty but wildly unhealthy at the same time. Lucky for Bellingham garage trio Sugar Sugar Sugar, there’s nothing explicitly injurious about their pseudo-revivalist riffage; they’re hardly ear-splitting but do rely heavily on the unwholesome power of scorching fretwork. Toss in some judiciously-employed cowbell and  some straightforward, half-convincing, found-in-a-time-capsule lyricisms, and you have a pretty, uh, sweet package. Sugar Sugar Sugar’s mammoth jams go down easy, and will melt in your mouth just as handily as they will melt  your face off.  Diabetics beware. — JB

[The Eastside Club Tavern, 9:30 p.m., Cover TBA, 410 Fourth Ave., E, Olympia, 360.357.9985]
[The New Frontier Lounge, Sugar Sugar Sugar with Photon Pharaoh, Tuesday, July 20, 8 p.m., Cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St, Tacoma, 253.572.4020]