Thursday, Nov. 15

PSYCHOBILLY boneyard crawlers

When I hear the name “Boneyard Crawlers,” I instantly think of something completely different than what the Tacoma-based psychobilly band probably had in mind.



Because I’m all about hip lingo, I often refer to Jazzbones as “the Boneyard.” Having worked the door at the club, I’m more than familiar with the cast of slimy, middle-aged dudes who work the club every weekend, searching for an overly intoxicated damsel in distress or bachelorette party refugee to prey on. When I think of Boneyard Crawlers, these are the snakes that come to mind.



Boneyard Crawlers the band, who will play McCabe’s in Tacoma tonight, are nothing like this, I can only assume. For one, something tells me guitarists Jessie Boo and Howlin’ Nate, singer and bassist Mr. Hyde-Bone Daddy and drummer Killer Kevin aren’t even close to 50, don’t drive midlife crisis mobiles, and probably land much hotter women than the Boneyard crawlers I know so well. Secondly, Boneyard Crawlers the band has at least a measurable amount of talent. Though their MySpace songs are rough at best, the noise available for mass consumption at www.myspace.com/boneyardcrawlers hints at a pure rock and roll live show almost certainly worth the price of admission. As far as I recall, the only talents my Boneyard crawlers ever showed was in real estate and being able to stomach making out with women who’d already puked.



Boneyard Crawlers (the band) are a lot of rock ’n’ roll, a little bit of country, and a crapload of enthusiasm. In my book, that goes a long way. Tonight’s night show at McCabe’s will be one worth talking about on Friday. — Matt Driscoll



[McCabe’s American Music Café, with Triple Nickel and Gryphon, 8 p.m., $5, 2611 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.5403]

Thursday, Nov. 15

AFROBEAT albino

My first question when I saw the 11-piece ensemble Albino were booked into the Eastside Tavern was, how are they going to fit on the stage? My second question was how are they going to make any money with a $5 cover charge?



The San Francisco-based Albino is most definitely a show not to be missed if you’re a fan of fat horns, multi-percussion and pulsating beats. Rooted in the West Africa tradition of music and dance, they play an authentic brand of “Afrobeat” and adorned in outrageous tribal attire, they are as visually loud as the music they play. But it’s not all fun and games. 



Honoring the legacy of Nigerian musical revolutionary, Fela Kuti, the band is also extremely politically aware and socially conscious as they try and inspire thought, activism and change through their lyrics. The multi-racial troupe believes, as Kuti did, that music can achieve a positive revolution and are dedicated to doing their part to try and raise awareness to various issues.



The award-winning group just released their full-length debut, Rhino, this past year. As expected, the disc is chock-full of funky grooves, tight horn arrangements, intoxicating rhythms and motivating lyrics. — TE



[Eastside Tavern, 9 p.m., $5, 410 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.357.9985]

Friday, Nov. 16

ROCKABILLY 4th ave tav

It is shows like these that make me want to move to Olympia. The 4th Ave Tavern is hosting a psychobilly circus with The Boneyard Crawlers, The Lucky Devils and The Fixt Friday. Can you say road trip?



The Boneyard Crawlers are the newest members to join the Northwest’s rockabilly club. Formed just six months ago, they only have a 13 song set list, but it’s all original material. The quartet combines old-school punk with surf and good ol’ fashion rock ’n’ roll.



If you dig authentic rockabilly and all that embodies the genre, The Lucky Devils are definitely your ticket. No frills here, just guitar, drums and upright bass, make up this power trio. Miss Kitty (guitar/vocals) is the ultimate rockabilly front woman and plays the part to a “T,” complete with a passion for vintage cars.



Not exactly a rockabilly unit, the Fixt play loose and loud with plenty of distortion. With influences from the Melvins, the Stooges and Black Flag to the Kingsmen, the Port Angeles trio have a Nirvana vibe going on, which is uncomplicated and minimal. — TE



[4th Ave Tavern, 9 p.m., 210 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.786.1444]

Friday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 18

FUNK 420 Funk Mob

Tacoma has it so good. It wasn\'t long ago that 420 Funk Mob and special guest George Clinton killed it at Jazzbones for a sold-out crowd. For those that missed it, there is really nothing like being in a small venue, bathing in funk and basking in the best vibes imaginable. It was likely one of the best gigs this town has ever hosted. Well, the forces of funk return this Friday and Sunday to Jazzbones, bringing The 420FM Super Meltdown Tripfest to the West Coast.



Clip Payne’s 420 Funk Mob will arrive with Key Master Clip Payne, P-Funk lead guitar trickagician Micheal "Kid Funkadelic" Hampton and bass master/vocalist Lige Curry, along with a random, rotating cast of P-Funk All Stars. The 420 Funk Mob grew out of a group of solo projects in 1997 and has since produced a handful of underground burners. The crew’s 2001 release, Drugs: The Prescription for Mis-America, for example, was called the most important album out of the P-Funk camp since 1974. Everyone from Chuck D to Peter Gabriel sang its praises. The 420FM Tripfest is the latest movement of the seething mass of P-Funk talent and affiliates. Created by music and video production camp WEFUNK, the Tripfest show is anchored by Payne, Curry and Hampton, accompanied by rotating guests, including George Clinton, Billy Bass Nelson, Stanley Jordan, Toshi Reagon, members of P-Funk, Bad Brains, Lenny Kravitz and the B-52’s.



Clinton, meanwhile, has launched his own label, dubbed C Kunspyruhzy, which promises to issue Clinton\'s first studio release in 10 years. The label also plans individual releases by various members of the P-funk cabal. Clinton\'s Web site says the label plans to release a collection of Parliament-Funkadelic and P-Funk All Stars live recordings gleaned from 30 years of live board tapes.



"We got four generations of fans out there who keep bugging me to get these live shows out there, and now\'s the time," Clinton says. "I\'ve seen what the Grateful Dead have been doing with their archives, as well as bands like Pearl Jam, and I figured it was time to show the world what the funk is all about."



By all that is holy, if you can, go to one of these shows. See what the funk is all about. — Paul Schrag



[Jazzbones, Friday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 18, 9 p.m., $40-$75, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Sunday, Nov. 18

BLUES bill sims jr.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Reverend Dave Brown of the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tacoma on many occasions. Brown, who loves the blues, was honored by the Washington Blues Society in 2004 with the “Keeping the Blues Alive” award because of his monthly gathering of musicians, Blues Vespers. At Blues Vespers, you will always find some of the finest blues musicians from the Northwest and beyond. This month is no exception as the reverend welcomes another seasoned bluesman to perform a benefit show to raise money for rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, Bill Sims Jr.



Sims is a blues man’s bluesman who doesn’t limit himself to any one style. From Chicago to the Delta and everywhere in between, Sims puts his own unique spin on everything he plays, but stays true to each sub-category of the genre. Performing with such legends as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Freddy Kind, he was schooled by the best. His lead guitar style is smooth while his vocals are slightly weathered but sincere. Ironically, he didn’t release his first disc until 1992, Blues Before Sunrise. His next self-titled disc came in 1999 to coincide with a 10-hour PBS documentary about the man and his music.



Sims will perform an acoustic set and with the award winning Mark Riley Trio. Sitting in with the trio for the benefit will be three great south sound blues musicians: Buck England on B-3, Jay Mabin on harmonica and Doug Skoog on piano. — TE



[Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 5 p.m., all ages, 901 N. J St., Tacoma, 253.627.8371]