Saturday, May 21: The Hard Way

Capitol Theater Backstage

By Rev. Adam McKinney on May 18, 2011

The Hard Way share their name with what is perhaps one of the most ridiculously fun action movies ever. The Hard Way, the movie, is big, dumb and silly, and it stars Michael J. Fox as an actor researching a role as a cop by going on a ride-along with hard-boiled detective James Woods. Right about the third scene-chewing moment with Woods yelling at Fox about the manner in which he eats hot dogs, you get that The Hard Way is winking. Similarly, the Hard Way, the band, has a rock 'n' roll bravado that starts out as slightly off-putting, until you begin to hear the sense of humor that they have about themselves. Two or three songs in, the Hard Way become totally endearing. 

[Capitol Theater Backstage, with Glass Elevator, The Soft Bombs, Mongo MT, 9 p.m., $5-$10, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia, 360.754.6670]