In the annals of Tacoma rock history in the new millennium, a handful of names stick out. One of them has to be Umber Sleeping. Though Umber Sleeping hasn't really existed in years, the mastermind behind it has remained active. Peter Tietjen, drummer and lead singer for Umber Sleeping, has essentially carried the sound and vision of Umber Sleeping through various incarnations, changing the roster and the name whenever he sees fit - I Like Science, Follow the Kites and Balloon Power Challenge have all subbed in for Umber Sleeping. In all of these forms, the Umber Sleeping ethos of spacy, Kraut-rock-indebted psych has remained essentially the same. Now, the original lineup of Umber Sleeping, featuring Doug Morse, James Jenkins and newcomer Jake Frye will be performing together, once again. Add to that the release of the Variety Hour's new album, and this is an unmissable show.

UMBER SLEEPING, w/ the Purrs, the Variety Hour, 9 p.m., The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, cover tba, 253.572.4020