Setting aside any of the other qualities that I'll be billboarding about Nasalrod, the one thing that you need to know is that they're a lot of goddamn fun. The punk rock Portland foursome create impossibly energetic music that doesn't so much pummel as it grabs you by the shoulders and shakes you about. With stop-start dynamics and gleefully deranged vocals, Nasalrod recall the early days of New Wave and art-rock just as much as the glory days of punk. What makes Nasalrod incredibly exciting, though, is the presence of former Fear member Spit Stix on drums. Having a member of one of the godfathers of punk in your band-and having that person named Spit Stix - is a very Portland thing to have happen. If I were you (and if I had no tact), I'd corner Spit Stix and ask him about that bonkers SNL performance of Fear's. 

NASALROD, w/ C Average, Bullets or Balloons, 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27, Deadbeat Olympia, 226 N. Division St, Olympia, $5, 360.943.0662

NASALROD, w/ Cold Truth, C Average, Chrono Bats, 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, cover tba, 253.475.9843