Music
In the late '70s, a record label was born in London called Stiff Records. Among the prominent voices in the label were the prolific and pop-minded likes of Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello and Wreckless Eric. What these artists had in common was a love for pop structure, albeit informed by
Critics' Picks
[ACOUSTIC INDIE POP] + SAT, DEC. 20 Olympia's Wauby usually play plugged-in, sunshiny indie pop, but this Saturday they'll be going acoustic. Still, as much as the vibrancy of their synths will be absent from their Le Voyeur set, there isn't much that can dampen the enthusiasm that Wauby bring to
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Like Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello, Trees and Timber have a knack for writing perfect pop songs that don't get just get by on production sheen. There's a tactile feel to Trees and Timber that lends weight to songs that are otherwise light as a feather. On their new LP,
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The Fabulous Downey Brothers are aggressively, endearingly strange. Half performance art, half spiky art-rock, the Olympia band always bring a surging current of off-putting energy to their live performances. Calling on the daring New Wave of late '70s/early '80s groups like Talking Heads, Devo, and Adam Ant, the Fabulous Downey
We Recommend
Olympia's Wauby usually play plugged-in, sunshiny indie pop, but this Saturday they'll be going acoustic. Still, as much as the vibrancy of their synths will be absent from their Le Voyeur set, there isn't much that can dampen the enthusiasm that Wauby bring to their party. If anything, the acoustic
Concert Alert
We list major concerts going on sale this weekend, as well as national touring acts performing in the Puget Sound this week. SECRET TICKET CODE TM = Ticketmaster, 253.627.TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com TWEB = Ticketweb, 866.468.7623, www.ticketweb.com >>> ON SALE NOW The Roots, Lion Babe Seattle. Dec. 28 8 pm. $65-$75 (The Showbox, axs.com) Martin Taylor Seattle. Jan.
Stage
Tis the season for the playhouses to be rolling out their family fare in the hopes of spreading cheer and hooking the next generation of potential theatergoers. Instead of choosing a straight up Christmas tale this year, Lakewood Playhouse chose to go the more reflective route. A Year with Frog
Listings
BLUES Dawson's Bar and Grill Tacoma - South. Billy Shew Band Open Jam Session. 8 pm. NC. COMEDY/GAMES Tacoma Comedy Club Tacoma - Downtown. Comedian Slade Ham. 8 pm. $15. Little Creek Casino Shelton. Comedy Night, featuring Andrew Rivers, Nate Jackson. 8 pm. The Ram Restaurant and Brewery
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Can you smell it? Holiday shopping panic. (You smug bastards who already finished your shopping can just keep it to yourselves. No one wants to hear how organized and on top of things you are.) But panicking doesn't help; it just makes you drink more and understand why suicide rates
Listings
ACOUSTIC/FOLK/CELTIC Temple Theatre Ballroom Tacoma - Stadium District. Geoffrey Castle's Celtic Christmas. All Ages. 8 pm. $15-$25. Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Tingstad & Rumbel. All Ages. 8 pm. $15-$22. BLUES Little Creek Casino Shelton. Randy Linder. 9 pm. NC. Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth
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The winter holidays' bells, lights and trees are upon us, and along with them the holiday-themed shows. Nutcrackers and Christmas Carols of various stripes are rife and often beloved, but alternatives are out there, too. This week we look to Geoffrey Castle's Celtic Christmas Celebration, an all-ages, revue-style ensemble show
Listings
ACOUSTIC/FOLK/CELTIC Arbutus Folk School - Olympia. Jack Dwyer, Sara Jane Scouten. All Ages. 7 pm. Treos Tacoma - Old Town. Michael Coucoules. All Ages. 7-9 pm. NC. The Gig Spot Gig Harbor. Stephanie Anne Johnson, with Regan's Rock School students. All Ages. 8 pm. Traditions Cafe and
We Recommend
Maybe you are done shopping for discount TVs or maybe you've just got better things to do on a Saturday than join the masses at the mall. Whatever the case, Urban Shopping & Cocktails is a breath of fresh air. Every third Saturday of the month, Christy Reedy of Libertine