Bobble Tiki is back. After a restful vacation spent rediscovering his umbrella drink and suntan lotion heritage in Hawaii, Bobble Tiki resumes his post this week here in the dreary Northwest, rearing and ready to once again put his Tiki nose to the grindstone. It’s funny how even a short vacation can recharge Bobble Tiki’s battery.
 

This week, tanned and rejuvenated, Bobble Tiki decided to delve into territory he’s rarely tackled. 

The Viaduct, that is, one of the most interesting yet little known all-ages venues this area has to offer.
 

Friday, Nov. 14, Anacortes-based band The Oregon Donor — who many will remember from EMP’s ‘06 Sound Off! Competition — will be in town along with the Kindness Kind, Mission Orange and the Apple War, intent on laying down well-crafted indie rock for all in attendance. If the Oregon Donor’s soon to be digitally released record Somethings — which Bobble Tiki received in the mail earlier this week — is any indication, this will be a show worth catching.
 

Like many indie bands, the Oregon Donor takes its cues from seminal acts like Modest Mouse, Sunny Day Real Estate and Built to Spill. And who could blame them? But while many bands have tried to emulate such sounds, the Oregon Donor have the rare ability to make it seem fresh and original — one of the many reasons that Somethings is still in Bobble Tiki’s CD player four days after he first opened it.
 

“We originally put (Somethings) out ourselves. It was recorded almost a year ago. We’re proud of it and it’s gotten a lot of support from fans,” says guitarist Lance Umble of Somethings, which will be digitally released by the band’s new label, Burning Building, on Nov. 18.
 

“We just signed with (Burning Building),” says Umble. “We’re in the first stages, and it’s exciting. It’s kind of funny how much more seriously people take you when you’re backed by someone. It throws you into another contest, but it’s a good thing.”  
 

That sense of seriousness not only seems to be a result of the Oregon Donor’s new label, but also from the natural maturation process of the band. The Oregon Donor was started in 2005, when all four members were still wet behind the ears and all shy of 21. Three years later, things seem to be coming together nicely, as Umble believes will be evident by the band’s next CD, which they’ll start recording in December.
 

“It should be more focused,” says Umble of the band’s next CD, which will be their first recorded with the help of label funding. “I’m excited to stick to a good solid theme. I’m real confident about it.”

“We’re feeling each other out a lot more,” says Umble of the band’s development over three years. “It’s getting more serious.”
 

With a newfound seriousness also comes the Oregon Donor’s first ever stop in Tacoma. While Umble admits he’s not exactly sure what to expect, he’s heard good things about T-town and is hoping for the best.
 

“This will be our first Tacoma experience,” explains Umble. “I’ve heard a lot of kids come out to shows in Tacoma. I guess we’ll see.”
 

Yes we will. Not only will this be a great indie rock show on Saturday at the Viaduct, but it will also be a chance for Tacoma to prove to the Oregon Donor that what they’ve heard about our gritty city is true — and Bobble Tiki isn’t just talking about meth and the Tacoma aroma.
 

The Oregon Donor is sure to put on a great show this weekend at the Viaduct. Hopefully Tacoma will do the same.

As usual, Bobble Tiki doesn’t care what you do this week because he doesn’t even know you. Sorry about that. Unless you can explain to Bobble Tiki why we all thought Ranked Choice Voting was a good idea, well, then, Bobble Tiki’s pretty sure he doesn’t want to meet you. Check out www.weeklyvolcano.com for all your South Sound worldwide Interweb needs, and consider that close enough. If you got any closer to Bobble Tiki you could sense the ambiguity in his sexuality.  

[The Viaduct, The Oregon Donor, The Kindness Kind, Mission Orange, The Apple War, Friday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., all ages, $8, 5412 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, myspace.com/viaductvenue]