Bob's Java Jive hasn't always had the easiest time existing as a worthwhile place to go and see music. In the past few years, shows had begun to dwindle - so much so that, as a music columnist, I would give up for months at paying attention to the Jive's goings on. As of roughly last August, though, attentive music-lovers should have noticed an uptick in activity coming from the kettle. Brandon Rowley, an old-time booker who began with punk shows on the East Coast before coming to the Northwest about a decade ago, started working to get the Java Jive back on track, music-wise.

The Java Jive has two incredibly exciting shows coming up, featuring Seattle bands that rarely, if ever, make the trek down to Tacoma. This Saturday's show features Grave Babies and Wimps, and next week's show features La Luz and Pony Time.

Wimps play gloriously giddy punk music that comes in 2-minute fits and starts - and that giddiness landed their song, "Repeat," on a recent episode of This American Life. Grave Babies, signees to Hardly Art, make moody post-punk that provokes as much as it envelops in gauzy noise. Awesome shows like this are able to happen at the Java Jive - and amazing bands like these are able to come down to Tacoma - because Tacomans come out to see them.

Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Brandon Rowley and Rachel Ratner of the Wimps in the Music & Culture section.

WIMPS, GRAVE BABIES, w/Full Moon Radio, Wild Berries, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, $5, 253.475.9843