PUSA

>>> Friday, Aug. 19

For 15 years, The Presidents of the United States of America have been rocking for their throngs of fans. And 2011 is no different. Before hitting up this year's Bumbershoot with the signature melodic pop punk that helped shape Pacific Northwest's alternative scene in the '90s, the Presidents are doing fans and families a favor by performing with guest and grunger Krist Novoselic (yes, of Nirvana) at the Southwest Washington Fair in Chehalis Friday. It also happens to be half price admission day at the fair. Hells yeah! That means you can make a quick drive south and catch these legends for only $5 - getting in on gobs of cotton candy, yards of livestock and enough rides to twist your guts for a week in the process. - Nikki Talotta

[Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, with Krist Novoselic, 8:30 p.m., $5, 2555 N. National Ave., Chehalis, 360.736.6072]

BANDOLIER

>>> Friday, Aug 19

There is a certain honey-drenched, sunny pop sound that is often aspired toward by bands seeking to reclaim a classic '60s and '70s aesthetic. It can be hard to achieve, but Bandolier does well at approaching this quality in a clean and honest way. Theirs is a sincere embodiment of that carefree love of music that sometimes gets lost on the road to street cred or alternative posturing. Bandolier cares about little more than the careful crafting of a hook and the exuberant live show experience. The band exceeds in spades at both endeavors, as Friday's CD release party will surely prove. A Bandolier show is a parade of good feelings, perhaps best illustrated by the image of the band members traveling in an intimidating caravan of scooters (which they do). - Rev. Adam McKinney

[The New Frontier Lounge, with the Dignitaries, Twink the Wonder Kid, Umber Sleeping, White Mystery, DJ Melodica, 8:30 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

ELECTRIC FALCONS

>>> Saturday, Aug. 20

When they're not wailing out pained lyrics with grungy riffs, busting out bone-deep bass lines or tricking and timing the drums just so, Electric Falcons have been debating the next step in their musical progress. After much speculation, a decision has been made: for now, this will be their last performance. Electric Falcons will instead spend time recording a full-length studio album with legendary producer Jack Endino. In the meantime, this "last" show at Oly's favorite dive bar, McCoy's, should deliver. Performing with new local metal merchants Engine, and old-time talents with a knack for comedy, Robot Pi, expect pumping fists, crushed tall boys and plenty of hair whipping. - NT

[McCoy's Tavern, with Engine, Robot Pi, 9 p.m., $2, 418 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.352.0696]

RED ELVISES

>>> Sunday, Aug 21

Red Elvises is a perpetually-touring party band that does a damn admirable job of embodying the essence of absurdity. Mixing elements of art deco, bossa nova, punk, rockabilly, surf, lounge, Middle Eastern and Eastern European music, Red Elvises is a particularly difficult band to summarize. Led by a fearless leader known as Igor Yuzov, Red Elvises is a trashy, kitchy, lurid ball of energy that tears through towns and venues with reckless abandon, and no small amount of winking ridiculousness. Seeing the band live, expect garish animal-prints and elements of similar oddball groups like Reverend Horton Heat, the Billy Nayer Show and Gogol Bordello. Above all, remember to dance your ass off. - Rev. AM

[Jazzbones, 9 p.m., $15, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]