The first words I saw describing Historian painted them as a mixture between Arcade Fire's Win Butler and (everyone's dreams') Nick Cave. Those are deeply enticing words, and so I was bound to listen. The truth is, those fantastic descriptors don't quite describe what Historian is all about. That dangerous sexuality of Nick Cave is missing and, while the cacophony of Arcade Fire is present, it never reaches heart-rending heights. Rather, Historian is more reminiscent of Tacoma's Pioneers West, with their wounded animal lead vocals, mixed with the sort of populist guitar rock of Handsome Furs. In any case, what Historian delivers is a tough indie rock, surging with bruised masculinity. However that feels to you when it hits you is how you're liable to describe it. To me, it sounds like fallen men, screaming blindly for help that will never come.

HISTORIAN, w/guests, 8 p.m., Northern, 414 ½ Legion Way, cover tba, Olympia