Thursday

FUNKY JAZZ the schematics

When novice listeners think of jazz they often think of the two most popular forms: the avant-garde sounds of Coltrane and Monk or the elevator smooth sounds of Kenny G and Grover Washington Jr. But in reality jazz has as many categories as rock music.  In addition to avant-garde and smooth jazz there are such diverse subdivisions as fusion, post bop, acid jazz and funk jazz.  Falling somewhere in between fusion and funk is where you’ll find the Tacoma-based The Schematics.  Formed last summer out of a common love for jazz, funk, and soul, Brett Cummings (sax), Alex Dunn (bass), Sam Esecson (percussion), Nigel Finley (keys), Colby “Hot Sauce” Sander (guitar), Graham Shackelford (8-string bass), and Alex Westcoat (drums) began impromptu jam sessions that led to playing house parties around the area.  They have four funk-drenched tunes available to sample on MySpace that will leave you craving to hear more.  Of the four, my personal fave is “The Snatcher.” Recorded live, it features some amazing guitar work, slappin’ bass lines, a killer sax solo and a steady groove that is as smooth as a baby’s butt. — Tony Engelhart

[Jazzbones, 8 p.m., all ages, $5, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.369.9169]

Friday

PUNK i defy

Old school punk is one of my favorite genres.  I love the thrashing guitars, the bombastic beats, and the rebellious spirit a punk song encompasses.  Grunge was derived from punk, but bands such as Green Day, The Muffs and Weezer were closer musically than any of the flannel wearing angsters.  I’m only guessing, but I’m pretty sure that Tacoma’s own I Defy listened to a lot of Offspring as they possess the same quirkiness and quick wit as Dexter Holland’s group of clowns.  Despite a bevy of lineup changes, since 1995 I Defy has been a key element in the Northwest’s post-grunge scene.  Now led by original vocalist Jason McKibbin, the group burns through originals from their 1997 debut, Wrap it in the Flag and Beat It Senseless.  With Carl Zook burning up the fret board and an unyielding rhythm section in bassist Damien Simard and founding member Ben Nix on drums, the band plays loud and proud. In 2006 they re-released their Live, Loud and Drunk disc and soon hope to be peddling a DVD of live footage from the past 10 years. — TE

[Oakland Tavern, with Durango 95 and Heroes Among Thieves, 9 p.m., $5, 3860 Center St., Tacoma]

Friday

PUNK 3 inch max

It was the worst name Mike Mcnabb could think of and he would, “take it back in a second,” if he could. 3 Inch Max is what Johnny O describes as being pushed to your most. 3 inches left ‘til you explode. “Plus,” he adds, “our minds are obviously in the gutter.” When the band 3 Inch Max first started their early formation in 1998 they were looking for a three-syllable name that crowds could chant. When 3 Inch Max came up it was what made them laugh the most.

3 Inch Max is Mike Mcnabb, Johnny O, Jizzy Shooter, and Sammas. After a small guitar lesson from Jizzy in 98, Mike learned three chords and he couldn’t stop. 3 Inch Max has since then played toured and laughed together loving living and being punk rock. When it comes to the punk rock scene Mike says, “Scene is lame and so cliquey. It’s hard to get a strong following because if your show is in Seattle people from Bellevue won’t come, and in Tacoma it’s like a whole world apart.” He then went on to explain that there is a sort of competition to it and ended “Music shouldn’t be a cockfight.” Johnny O then chimed in “Music shouldn’t be a fashion it’s a spiritual passion.”

All this explanation for punk got me to wonder if the junior high club shows I’d seen punk portrayed in were really true to the cause. Are it the violent mosh pits and crazy little teenagers? But they assured me punk was not that. “It’s punk therapy,” says Mike, “you go to a show and the frustrations of everyday life are gone.” They explained that getting out the feelings they do make them more peaceful in their day to day lives. It keeps them away from those last three inches. — Jessie Fouts

[Matrix Coffeehouse, 8 p.m., all ages, $6, 434 Prindle St., Chehalis, 360.740.0492]

Saturday

METAL choice fatal

Is there a connection between the fact Choice Fatal has promoter Joey G. of Show Media listed as their #2 friend on MySpace and the band’s show at The 54 on Saturday, Feb. 10?

You bet your sweet ass.

Joey G. and Choice Fatal sleep in a big, plush, groupie encrusted Show Media bed. I promise.

And that’s not a bad thing. Hell, if I wasn’t getting married there’s a damn good chance I’d be scheming ways to crawl in bed with them.

The only problem is I’m a skinny white guy who thinks he’s funny and smokes too much — Joey G. likes to get in the sack with metal bands and ride the living piss out of ’em.

With shows, of course, like the one Choice Fatal has lined up at The 54. 

Choice Fatal takes pride in their “distinct flavor of metal.” After test-driving songs from their ’04 debut, In Sight, I found Choice Fatal seem to rock machine-gun guitar chops  with some screamin’ and hollerin’ and a little breakneck drum and bass — baking up a steaming hot pot of …

Metal.

If you like metal, this is your show, and you’ll be right at home. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again. Choice Fatal is a metal band, whatever flavor they try to tell you it is. — Matt Driscoll

[The 54, with Either and God Damage, 9 p.m., $6, 5240 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.473.5454]

Saturday

ROOTS the new prohibition band

What keeps the back hills Appalachian folk music alive?  Why are so many young musicians drawn to it?  I don’t have the answer to either question, but thank goodness it is and they are. A derivative of Celtic, Scottish and slavery hymns, Appalachian music dates back to the early 1900s.  Now dubbed roots or progressive folk, the movement is still thriving, and one band who keeps it alive is the New Prohibition Band.  The relatively new band’s sound has been described as “psychedelic old-time and haunting melodies” as they pay homage to the past with a fresh outlook toward the future.  Led by guitarist/fiddler/vocalist/harmonica player Dirk Rossenburg, the band combines the organic bluegrass sound of Doc Watson with a Delta blues timbre of Robert Johnson.  Rossenburg is joined by Cera Impala on clawhammer banjo and Phil Post on upright bass. Each lends their talents to bring the original tunes to full fruition and give classics an authentic groove.  — TE

[Eastside Club Tavern, 9 p.m., $5, 410 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.357.9985]

Sunday

ROCK tacoma night of garage

Whatever your feelings are about Big Time Entertainment and the shows they put on at Hell’s Kitchen and other venues around the Northwest, I think all of us except Big Time Entertainment can agree on one thing — its shows ARE pay to play.

The most vocal and proactive opponent of Big Time Entertainment’s presence in Tacoma has been Bon Von Wheelie, Girl Trouble’s drummer. One of her concerns is that young bands are getting tricked into playing shows for Big Time Entertainment, not realizing the implications. She has done her best to educate Tacoma’s young rockers.

On Sunday, Feb. 11, the Snakebites, the F@#%ing Eagles, the Freakouts, and the Hacks will play Hell’s Kitchen. The show is being billed as “Tacoma’s Night of Garage,” and it’s NOT presented by Big Time Entertainment. Von Wheelie always keeps me posted on the progress of her battle, and I think her latest message is worth passing on.

“The show was set up by Danaca Tomas, the 16 year old female drummer of the Freakouts.  She went to Flash and put together a line-up of adult garage bands that lots of over 21 bands would love to play.  It was such a good line-up he didn’t make them rent the room.  They are calling it ‘Tacoma’s Night of Garage.’  This kid is 16 and she set this up herself!  Talk about impressive,” wrote Von Wheelie.

True dat. — Matt Driscoll

[Hell’s Kitchen, doors open at 5 p.m., all ages, $7, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]