BATRIDER

Friday, Nov. 13
I enjoy the tactility of music. With Batrider, even though you’re just listening to a recording, you can feel yourself at the show: oily concrete beneath your shoes, cigarette smoke saturating the air, the sickly sweet scent of beer and sweat pouring out from the throbbing crowd. Batrider possesses that most appealing aspect of grunge — you can hear them fighting to find the perfect pop melody, each misstep inspiring fits of feedback over waves of crashing cymbals and lurching bass. Batrider are from Australia via New Zealand and, though it’s certainly the hope that they’ll find some modicum of commercial success, this may well be our last opportunity to see them live in our own backyard. It’s an opportunity that you’d be sorry to pass up. — Rev. Adam McKinney
[Le Voyeur, with Railcars, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

THE FUN POLICE

Friday, Nov. 13
Is this a band of officers that inspires fun, or is it fun they police? This question and more will be answered on Friday the 13th at Stonegate Pizza on South Tacoma Way. Debuting You Better Run, the band’s first real full length, The Fun Police have built a track record of zaniness in just a little over a year on the small scale Tacoma scene. Those who know The Fun Police already know the answer to the original question — this band is a hoot. Don’t expect to be blown away by Rush-like musicianship (and, for the record, Rush — and most Canadians — make me sick), and don’t expect to be laying eyes on the next big thing — just expect a smile heavy evening that tickles your ears as much as it does your funny bone. Oh yea — The Fun Police’s You Better Run was produced by Conrad Uno, so despite all the shenanigans, these guys do have chops. — Matt Driscoll
[Stonegate Pizza, with Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel, special guests, 9 p.m., $6, 5421 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, stonegatepizza.com] 

BROOKLYN POOL

Friday, Nov. 13
I’m easily confused and my memory is sometimes suspect. I spent a lot of time with a lighter and a Mountain Dew can in high school, and this could certainly have something to do with it. At the moment, the confusion I’m dealing with has to do with Tacoma’s Brooklyn Pool — which is a band that up until recently was known as Former Foxes — and even before that was known as something entirely different. That’s where it gets hazy for me. Anyway, Brooklyn Pool will not only be debuting a shiny new band name on Friday at The Den, they’ll be busting out a brand-spanking new record to boot. It really doesn’t get much better than that — especially if you’re a fan of great indie melodies and songwriting. For the record, Brooklyn Pools promises no more name changes. I’m sure they’re being sincere — but I’ll also believe it when I see it. Then again, I may just forget any of this ever happened. — MD
[The Den @ urbanXchange, with Colonies, Organ Donor, Phantom Fireworks, 7 p.m., $4-$5, 1932 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280]

THE DRUG PURSE

Saturday, Nov. 14
I just read these words: “Diarrhea Hamilton foreclosed on Long Tall Sally’s edible balloon tits, stole some guitars and formed this band. Some peculiar shit eclipsed their minds, pores and they harpoon tongue fucked all the way to Save-A-Lot.” Appropriately trippy for a crew calling itself The Drug Purse, which emanates a sound that would perfectly accompany an eternity of slow dancing with Laura Palmer in Hell. On drugs. This is the best entropy fest I’ve heard in a long time — plenty of overtly intentional lo-fi languishing, plenty of reverb on the vox and plenty of strange and wonderful lyrics. If you’re dazzled by small-town scenester degeneration in slow motion, The Drug Purse is your best bet this weekend. — Paul Schrag
[The Den @ urbanxchange, with Basemint, Head Bangs, Spectacular Optical, 8 p.m., $4-$5, 1932 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280]