Friday, Sept. 21

JAZZ  ed taylor band

Tacoma jazz guitarist Ed Taylor has Gibson Guitars in his camp, an honor that allows him to play what he feels are the best guitars in the world. His Gibson of choice: the Steve Howe ES-175, which he works masterfully on his latest CD, Songs From A Taylor.

The Weekly Volcano asked Taylor if he felt an impact being backed by the highly respected guitar company.

He shared that it’s earned him more automatic respect from other professional musicians when they see his gear, and they have a desire to work with him.

One such professional musician, jazz guitarist Peter White, is the featured guest on the CD’s title song. White performed and wrote songs with Al Stewart (“Time Passages” and “Year of the Cat”). Taylor loved White’s unique style and multi-instrumental abilities, and knowing him for quite some time asked him to perform on the project.

With track titles like “The Zipper” and “Buttons,” Songs From A Taylor is the conceptual follow up to Taylor’s last CD, TaylorMade. Mostly instrumental smooth jazz originals with three covers and a few traditional jazz and funk numbers, Taylor describes this third offering as “encompassing art, love, and the feelings of jazz/funk and chill. It’s a feel good CD.”

Catch Taylor and his band Friday at Puyallup’s HG Bistro, Sept. 27 at the official CD release party at the Gibson Guitar Showroom in Seattle (159 S. Jackson St., Suite 330), and Oct. 4 at the Emerald Queen Casino. — Jennifer Johnson

[HG Bistro, Friday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m., no cover, 1618 E. Main, Puyallup, 253.845.5747, ]

Friday, Sept. 21

ELECTRO-PUNK experimental dental school

I like cheap things. If there’s a less expensive route to take, I usually hit my blinker.

I’ve skimped on clothes, food and transportation. I’ve even gotten my hair cut at a beauty school from someone probably more familiar with mannequin hair than human.

However, one cheapskate route I’ll never go down is Experimental Dental School. The idea of hacks with drills aimed at my molars sends shivers down my spine.

Luckily, Experimental Dental School is a three-piece from Oakland who could care less about oral hygiene and who fully support the strangeness a group of visionary musicians can achieve with a keyboard, a guitar/bass, and a set of skins.

Experimental Dental School is scheduled to hit Le Voyeur in Olympia Sept. 21. I’d decline the route canal, but accept the artistic vision and polyester.

[Le Voyeur, with Lebanon, Bad Dues and Bottom Feeders, 10 p.m., donation requested, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

Saturday, Sept. 22

ELECTRO-POP joey casio

Joey Casio’s music is bleeping incredible. This one-man party machine is one of Olympia’s beloved electro-pop bands on Scream Club’s record label, Crunks not Dead. He puts every ounce of emotion he has into his performance, which encourages everyone in the audience to let loose, too. Using his plaintive vociferated voice and a whole bunch of synthesizers, gadgets and doodads he can make a basement into a discotheque. He can make a school dance into a rave party. He can make a snobby nightclub into a love fest. He can make a wallflower into a Venus flytrap. Also unlike many voices on the top 40 dial, he actually has interesting things to say.



“We love Joey Casio,” says Scream Club’s Cindy Wonderful. “Joey Casio is like a digital hypnotist. When you see him, you’re gonna be working out some issues on the dance floor. His music gets inside you, and his lyrics inspire you. I have seen him play more times then I can count, and I still never get bored.”



Check out Joey Casio on YouTube and on MySpace (www.myspace.com/joeycasio) and then put on your favorite neon clothing and head to Le Voyeur where fun is yours to be had with Time of Orchids, Hotels and Pony Pants. — Angela Jossy



[Le Voyeur, 10 p.m., $3-$5, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

Sunday, Sept. 23

BLUES nicole fournier

Girls who play electric guitars are cool. One of the baddest asses to ever strike a chord is Nicole Fournier. The Northwest blues diva and Summy Award-winning guitarist/vocalist has been a part of our ever-changing blues scene since 1992.



She’s pointed toward Texas soon. Forever. That makes me sad.



She says she’s never felt completely connected in these parts. Fans say otherwise. Known for her searing guitar work and powerful vocal range, Fournier often packs houses. Weekly Volcano marketing director Tommy Carson pouts around the office.



Fournier began playing the blues after sitting in on a jam session with Bay Area musician Johnny Nitro. However, it was a chance meeting with Keith Richards who encouraged the young guitarist to pursue her career that got her fired up.



To date she has released two discs, 1998’s From the Beginning and 2002’s Not Forgotten. The first effort combined the Texas style blues of Stevie Ray with the Chicago style blues of T-Bone Walker. Her second effort was a bit bolder as she combined elements of blues, funk, jazz, and even folk for a recording that was vast and diverse. — Tony Engelhart



[The Spar, 7 p.m., no cover, 2121 N. 30th Street, Tacoma, 253.627.9215]

Wednesday, Sept. 26

CLASSIC ROCK def leppard, styx and foreigner

At a Def Leppard concert you are sure to see at least one girl take her top off as the band has always attracted scantily clad women willing to bear it for the boys from Sheffield.



With a mix of metal, glam and arena rock, Def Leppard embodied all the elements of rock in the ’80s. Their youthful looks and adolescent songwriting made them accessible to everyone in high school. With a mix of power chords and heavy drums coupled with a pubescent spirit,Leppard practically invented pop-metal.



I saw Styx on their Paradise Theatre tour in 1980 and remember the details like it was yesterday. What began as an artsy-progressive rock unit just a few short years before had become the embodiment of arena rock. Although the show was a grand spectacle, their musical performance stands out first and foremost in my mind; every note was played with flawless precision.



Foreigner rode in on the wave of FM radio bands in the ’70s and ended up invading AM radio with five platinum selling albums. The New York quartet had the ability to transition from heavy-handed rock to pop ballads without losing their creditability.

Classic rock heaven. — TE



[White River Amphitheatre, 7 p.m., $27.50-$85 at Ticketmaster, 40601 Auburn Enumclaw Road, Auburn, 360.825.6200]