I love it when Olympia and Tacoma music blends. It's like Korean barbecue washed down with PBR. Saturday, Vanguard, a favorite Olympia band, is playing at Bob's Java Jive, a favorite Tacoma venue. Vanguard's lo-fi punk metal sound use to be the work of an octopus for a drummer and a diddler of thrash metal guitar. Now, Vanguard is even more sexy and sophisticated with the addition of a backbone bass player and a vamped up sound - think early Metallica with that raw punk-garage that feels specific to Olympia. Rounding off the bill are Sei Hexe, an all girl metal band touring from Portland, and Tummler & Solomon, sludge rockers from T-town.

VANGUARD, w/Sei Hexe and Tummler & Solomon, 9 p.m., Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, $5, 253.475.9843

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Calendar: Music and Nightlife