Kyle Thomas, AKA King Tuff, had about as much credibility as possible going into the recording of his solo debut, Was Dead, having worked with the likes of Hunx (of "his Punx" notoriety) and rock god J Mascis. His debut was an exuberant burst of tongue-in-cheek garage rock, and his latest self-titled album somehow manages to top it. King Tuff brings enough hooks for two or three albums, every song packed with memorable takes and intriguing twists. Far from leaning on the scuzzy lo-fidelity of garage punk, Thomas incorporates some of the strongest melodies to be found in the revivalist garage scene. Part of why this is a seeming lack of reverie for the past-these are timeless songs, bereft equally of pandering nostalgia and naval-gazing futurism. 

NORTHERN, WITH RVIVR, WHITE FANG, 9 P.M., $6, 414 ½ LEGION WAY, OLYMPIA