Thursday, June 14

ROCK jonny smokes

If Randy Oxford is the hardest working man in blues, then Jonny Smokes has the honor of hardest working musician in rock. Playing five gigs a week, if not more, Smokes never rests, and since moving to Seattle in 1997 he has become a staple on the Northwest music scene. Playing in a variety of bands, he dabbles with everything from bass to keyboards but is best known for his flawless acoustic sets where he performs dazzling originals and choice covers from bands such as the Eagles and Alice in Chains. In addition to his original music, Smokes has been a member of the Pink Floyd cover band the Empty Spaces and the AIC cover group Jar of Flies, which spawned the side project, the Smoking Lounge — a party cover band that has a standing gig at the Swiss every Thursday.

As for solo performances, what began as stripped down acoustic cover songs with just a guitar and vocals has turned into a major musical production as Smokes has added an arsenal of effect pedals, pre-recorded percussion and backup music to his show, creating a richer and fuller sound. 

So pick your poison and decide which Jonny Smokes best fits your needs. For a complete calendar of his shows, visit www.myspace.com/jonnysmokes.



[The Swiss, 9 p.m., 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821]

Friday, June 15

JUMP BLUES the insomniacs

Jump blues is somewhat of a dying art form. In fact, real blues is a dying art form, but I digress. With it’s up-tempo shuffles and post-bop roots, jump was the predominate style in the ’30s and ’40s. Big Joe Turner and Louis Jordon further popularized it and achieved chart success with the big band jazz influenced blues in the ’50s. 

Paying respect to vintage music, Portland-based Insomniacs is a West Coast jump band that plays with a sense of traditionalism rarely found in the 21st century blues scene. Fronted by 25-year-old bluesman Vyasa Dodson, the group definitely has a fresh perspective but remains true to the original format. Dodson’s high energy solos and nasty licks are mesmerizing, while his vocals are well-traveled. Backed by a tight rhythm section in bassist Dean Nueller and drummer Dave Melyan, with keyboardist Alex Shakeri adding fuel to the fire, the band released Left Coast Blues last year to amazing reviews. The disc landed them a Muddy Award for Best New Artist at the Cascade Blues Association Awards and a deal with Delta Groove Productions. Ranging from mid-tempo shuffles to slow burning blues, the CD proves its worth every time you press play. Check them out at www.myspace.com/insomniacsblues.



[Jazzbones, with The Schematics, 8:30 p.m., all ages, $10, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Friday, June 15

ALT POP vantucky champs

Alternative pop sounds powder puff, flimsy, and always reminds me of the Banana Splits. I needed somebody to turn my thinking around. Enter Vantucky Champs. With a cross between poppy country and indie rock, the band rocks hard but benefits from catchy guitar licks and lush harmonies. Formed in 2006, the first incarnation of the Vancouver, Wash., group quickly drew a large following. Founding member, singer/songwriter Tim Gardner retooled the band with percussionist Matt Hancock, bassist Kevin Bowers and lead guitarist Joe Ebner, in January of 2007, and they recorded their debut, Subliminal Messages.  With a Peter and Gordon meets R.E.M. vibe, the four songs reflected the overall positive energy of the quartet with plenty of ’60s-inspied “ba ba bas” and “la la las.”  Gardner pens the perfect pop songs with the Beatle-esque “This Way,” which is as insightful as it is fun. The Champs are preparing to drop their sophomore effort entitled Jezzabelle Tongue in September. But never fear, the first single “Act Slow” will be released Sunday. 



[4th Ave Ale House, with Bloomline, 9 p.m., $3, 210 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.786.1444]

Saturday, June 16

ROCK the fucking eagles

House parties are the shit. Standing in line for drinks at Hell’s Kitchen trying to avoid the sweaty guy from Federal Way in front of you and forking out five bucks for a cocktail is nice, but slurping 10 inches of foam off the top of your keg cup and watching your buddies’ band play rock and roll in the living room and fall down drunk at the same time is even better.

Tacoma, the Fucking Eagles are your buddies.

They’ve invited you to their casa (or at least the home of an unsuspecting friend who’s naively agreed to throw a house party).

On Saturday the Fucking Eagles will “cockspar,” with Blanco Bronco, according to MySpace. Apparently it’s JLed’s and Jessco’s house, and the address is 964 S. Cushman Ave. The shit hits the fan at 8 p.m.

Don’t bring a casserole, bring earplugs instead, and prepare to be pummeled. There’s nothing quite like a cockspar. It’ll be like those parties your parents used to go to in the ’70s, except you won’t have to put your car keys in a big bowl, and your mom won’t be ashamed to look at you afterward.



[964 S. Cushman Ave., June 16, 8 p.m., Tacoma]