MARCY PLAYGROUND

>>> Thursday, Sept. 1

If you came of age, musically speaking, during a similar period in time as this hack writer, you're probably moderately familiar with the Marcy Playground story - or at least the band's "hit," the radio friendly "Sex and Candy." The song came from Marcy Playground's platinum selling, self-titled, major label debut, released by Capitol Records in '97 and highlighted by a grunge stained take on folk rock and the occasional children's rhyme. "Sex and Candy" - the record's second single, following "Poppies" and achieving considerably more success - spent 15 weeks atop Billboard's, "Modern Rock" chart, and the album managed to spawn two more singles, "Saint Joe on the School Bus," and "Sherry Fraser." Next Thursday, Marcy Playground will play Jazzbones in Tacoma, where most of the preceding stats will matter very little. It'll be like the '90s all over again. - Matt Driscoll

[Jazzbones, with High Noon Horizon, Blanco Bronco, DJ Victor Menegaux, 8 p.m., $15, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

WEIRD TIGERS

>>> Friday, Sept. 2

No good Tacoman worth their salt passes up a chance at a "private party," even if it's just being billed as such for legal reasons. More importantly, no good Tacoman wastes an opportunity to catch outdoor late-summer barbecue action backed by bands Hands of Toil, Weird Tigers (members of Blanco Bronco and Durango 95) and special guests (who may or may not be leaving on tour soon, according to hype). It's just a no-brainier. Luckily, Friday The New Frontier Lounge is getting into the private party business, hosting all the aforementioned awesomeness on its outdoor stage. Are you invited? Of course you are. It may be private, but anyone over the age of 21 is encouraged to come out and have fun. Dig into some barbecue, your new favorite band Weird Tigers, and all the local goodness that makes this town bearable. But be warned: It's BYOB. - MD

[The New Frontier Lounge, 7 p.m., tip jar for the bands, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

LIPS

>>> Saturday, Sept. 3

The word "lips" is more evocative than most. It puts one immediately in mind of intimacy, or connecting with another individual in a uniquely personal manner. It is from one's lips that words and ideas are formed and spread, from lips to ears to lips to ears. It is appropriate, then, that Brooklyn-via-New-Zealand's Steph Brown has chosen to title her solo project Lips. Brown has a special ability to balance poppy songcraft and a sense of intimacy. Her songs - made up mostly of low-key electronics and her modestly intriguing voice - sound like a friend pulling you aside for a moment to share the off-handed music she's been making in secret. After hearing these quietly sincere and compelling tunes, now this secret is yours as well. - Rev. Adam McKinney

[The Den @ urbanXchange, with Books and Covers, 7 p.m., Cover TBA, 1932 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.722.9987]

RTX

>>> Tuesday, Sept. 6

Mark your Blackberries - we're in for a treat Tuesday at Olympia's beloved Brotherhood Lounge. RTX is coming to blow minds. To most, the band RTX means the revival of one-half of the legendary Royal Trux, a band that rode the waves of the '90s on a surfboard made of sex, drugs and all things rock 'n' roll. These days, RTX is still a familiar blistering combination of noise rock, indie hardcore, fuzzy, squealing, sexy riffs and the hot-blooded gritty vocals of front woman Jennifer Herrema ... only cooler. Having garnered rave reviews from Decibel, Vice, Village Voice and the like, RTX is dotting the coast with a Sonic Youth-y, MC5-ish sound. And it's not just the raw energy that Herrema channels on stage - ripping down walls with her sultry cries. It's the voice of the crowd echoing back the primal connection of blood and booze through every head-bang and fist-pound. - Nikki Talotta

[The Brotherhood Lounge, with Heavy Cream, Morgan and the Organ Donors, 9 p.m., $5, 119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.352.4153.]

THE RUSTY CLEAVERS

>>> Wednesday, Sept. 7

Something seems so right about the marriage between punk rock and the washboard. Skidding your hand along the grooves of a washboard elicits nothing more than a visceral rattle - a crude affront to the idea of percussion and what it means to be a member of a band. Punk rock similarly shatters the idea of a rock 'n' roll band. It seems only natural to combine the worlds of bluegrass and punk, and the Rusty Cleavers do so magnificently, with all manner of mandolin, banjo and backyard clatter coming together in a cacophony of spirited group-singing and hoops and hollers. It's awfully lively stuff, and the Rusty Cleavers will be delivering it in invigorating fashion Wednesday for the benefit of Food Not Bombs - a very worthy cause. - Rev. AM

[Hell's Kitchen, with Fang Chia, Miasthma, cover and time TBA, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]