Little Bill Engelhart

TEMPEREDCAST

Saturday, March 28

I wouldn’t go so far as to call Temperedcast metal, even though they riff as hard as any band that frequents Hell’s Kitchen. Temperedcast falls into the same genre as classic hard rock bands like Soundgarden and Alice in Chains. Besides, they don’t pen tunes about Satan or the occult. The Seattle-based quintet has built a strong following on their energetic live shows and originality. The group’s first disc in 2006, Proximity Fuse, was produced by Scott Olson (guitar for AIC and Heart). With great songwriting, melodic yet tough guitars and forceful vocals, the CD captured all the elements of their live show. Temperedcast released a sophomore disc, Reach, in 2008. After a quick listen, I’d be willing to go out on a limb to say they could very well become the “next big thing” here in the Northwest … for whatever that’s worth. — Tony Engelhart

[Hell’s Kitchen, with Bone Flower, Painted Window, Arisen from Nothing, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

Saturday, March 27

Little Bill is and always will be just dad to me. While other dads went off to the office, the shop or the store to work, my dad went to nightclubs to sing and perform; this seemed totally normal to me, but unusually cool to my friends. Whenever I’d go see dad play, I was proud, but not overly excited; after all, it was his job. Whenever dad would release a new CD I was proud, but not overly excited; after all, this was his job. Whenever dad would win an award I was proud, but not overly excited; after all this was a part of his job.

However, when I found out that dad’s music was going to be recorded by 60 fellow musicians for a CD titled Big Blues for Little Bill, I was very proud and VERY EXCITED. When I found out that the proceeds were going to benefit research for a condition which I’ve had since the age of 13 — Dystonia — that pride and excitement only grew.

Big Blues for Little Bill was the brainchild of one-time Little Bill and the Bluenotes member Randy Oxford, and features some of the brightest blues players in the Northwest. Saturday, March 28 these blues all-stars will converge at the Rialto Theater to honor my dad. Artists include Henry Cooper performing “Comin’ Home,” Billy Roy and the Rectifires performing “Texas,” Patti Allen and the Randy Oxford Band performing “Another Rainy Day,” Merrilee Rush and Rusty Williams performing “Better Things to Do” and the Blues Vesper’s All-Stars featuring Leanne Trevalyan, Paul Green, Mark Riley, Jho Blenis and Jim King will perform “Thangs Gonna Be.” Of course Little Bill and the Bluenotes will be on hand to throw down some blues of their own.

Dad has been writing, recording and performing since he was 16, and to see him honored in such a way makes me extremely proud to be his son. — Tony Engelhart

[The Rialto Theater, Saturday, March 28, 7:30 p.m. $19, $29, $50, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma, 253.591.5894]

CHRIS ROY BENEFIT

Sunday, March 29

If there was an award for most charitable bar in Tacoma, The Swiss would win it every year. Chris Roy was diagnosed with stage four testicular cancer back in October ’07. The cancer has now entered his lymph system. The expensive treatments have put a financial drain on him and his family. The Swiss is hosting a benefit concert to help Chris out March 29. Two of the four bands donating their time and talent to this cause are among the hottest country acts in the Northwest. The Michael Crain Band is a shit kickin’ country outfit that doesn’t pull any punches. Unlike the poppy crap one might hear on the radio, the band is immersed in the ways of Jennings, Haggard and Hank the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The I Love Myselfs fall into the genre of alt country, and do it as well as Drive By Truckers. — TE

[The Swiss, 3 p.m., $10, 1904 S. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821]

THE DRUG PURSE

Sunday, March 29

Let us now praise The New Frontier Lounge. Remember that gaping hole in the Tacoma live music scene? The one in-between coffee shop Celtic and Death Pussy? It seems like ancient history now, thanks largely to The New Frontier Lounge. Case in point: On March 29, local retrock favs The Drug Purse will share the stage with So Cal pop eclectics The Fling, Vashon Island’s Greenfield and Seattle folkster Tommy Dean. Off-night smorgasbords like this keep live music alive at the roots in drought-prone towns like Tacoma, and the venues that book them should be regarded as civic treasures. Such clubs are rare and fragile these days, and their success depends on you. You, your thirst and three bucks at the door. It’s worth more than that just to see The Drug Purse. And it’s worth way more to know that you can. — Mark Thomas Deming

[The New Frontier Lounge, with The Fling, Greenfield, Tommy Dean, 8 p.m., $3, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

PRE

Thursday, April 2

Let's get real. Akiko Matsuura, aka “Exceedingly Good Keex,” lead maniac in the barrage of “wow” that is PRE is hot. BRUTAL HOT. Her image has been burned into my cerebral cortex, and I plan on donating my eyeballs to science because they are now useless. Watching her roll around in her underwear on stage going bonkers, screaming over ridiculously loud and obnoxious music is a teenage fantasy I have neglected for some stupid reason, and I’m now kicking myself for having taken this long to realize a key facet of my own erotic potential. For those of you snidely thinking in the varied coffee shops of Olympia that it's obviously a gimmick, hold your demon tongue! The band can play. These kids want it and they ain't playing your little brother's punk rock. And that's good because it's past his bedtime, and Skinemax will be on shortly. Until then, I think I'm gonna go back to PRE’s Web site and check out the bootleg section again. Me-ow. — Owen Taylor

[The Big Room, with The Mae Shi, Joey Casio, $5, 508 Legion Way, Olympia]