I didn’t haul my bulky Canon Rebel to Syren last for Mickey Avalon’s show; a pity since I’m thinkin’ the guy could be pretty big by the end of ’07 and this was a good chance to catch him in an intimate setting. The good news is that club owner Chad Melton alerted me to the gallery you’ll find here. (But only click if you’re serious; the load time was no joke on my computer.)

Avalon’s lyrical talent is marginal. He’s responsible for lines like this, fer Chrissakes: “Jen was a hurty burty dirty little girlie/ I heard

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Did anyone else read this item at Rollingstone.com about Rage getting back together for the Coachella Music Festival? Just when you thought AWOL lead screamer Zack de la Rocha might actually be dead, turns out he was just doing his best impression of Axl Rose in the ’90s.

Also note the confirmation of the Police at Bonnaroo. See, I told ya so.

Local country diehards already know about George Strait’s show Sunday at the T-Dome and Kenny Chesney’s return to Qwest Field this summer. And the latest big deal to be announced is the return of Brad Paisley, who will headline the White River Amphitheatre on May 26.

Opening acts include Jack Ingram, “American Idol’s” Kellie Pickler (who played the Varsity Grill downtown last month) and rising star Taylor Swift, who is also opening for Strait on Saturday. So get your Stetsons and cowboy boots on already.

A while back, there was some speculation that Portland’s the Decemberists – arguably the hottest indie rock group of the moment – might stop in Tacoma; that after the folks at Broadway Center listed them as an act they might pursue for 2007 on a survey of patrons.

But the band’s spring tour dates arrived in my inbox this morning. And it looks like local fans will have to make the 40 minute drive north on May 4. Or why not make the more scenic trip all the way up to Western Washington University in the ‘Ham on

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I visited the Junkyard last weekend for a story in today’s GO section. And while I noted the lack of frills – you know, like heat – I assumed organizers had filed some kind of paperwork with the city.

BZZZZZT! Wrong. Tacoma’s fire marshal learned about the place – actually a warehouse rented from an auto body shop at 6402 South Tacoma Way – by reading today’s paper. And after noting a whole potpourri of violations – including lack of bathrooms and proper exits, dangerous wiring, combustible decor and the aforementioned Arctic temperatures – they characterized the place

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There’s lots of speculation on the tour front right now, with lots of talk about big name bands hitting the road again after a long time apart, all in the interest of stacking a few extra chalupas.

For starters, it appears the rumored Van Halen tour with David Lee Roth back on lead vocals will happen, according to this site, among others. I’ve heard an unconfirmed rumor that says April at KeyArena for that one. But whether or not that train can stay on the tracks longer than Guns N’ Roses’ last snakebitten tour is another matter. Who

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Another look at what I listen to obsessively, even when I’m not paid to …

“Telegram” Saul Williams: This spoken word track with the great Bad Brains sample hasn’t left my iPod for months. And it’s back in heavy rotation with Williams headed to Pierce College next Thursday. (Not sure if he’s bringing his band are doing poems next week, though.)

“Nomanisisland” Subtle: This Cali group, fronted by freaky rhymer Doseone, shows just how creative and textured hip-hop can be. They have a local show, too, Jan. 26

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Cake Records head Evan Brubaker e-mailed me today with sad news for fans of Mountlake Terrace Mon Frere. The band broke up.

The good news is they finished a video on the same day. You can watch it here.

Simon Cowell is a brutal bastard, but that’s why we love the guy. He’s always cocked and ready to cut even the most cocky wannabe down to size. Bad for self esteem. Great for television. And my favorite dis so far this season? “That didn’t even sound human.” Trust me. Much funnier with a British accent.

But calling the Seattle contestant from Wednesday night’s “American Idol” episode a “bush baby” was maybe a little out of bounds, if ya know what I mean. And thank God he, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson had the good taste and sense to

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Experience Music Project just announced its lineup for the sixth run of Sound Off!, the rock museum’s annual competition for bands with members that are all 21 and younger. And this year the South Sound will be represented by Tacoma’s own Don’t Tell Sophie who will compete on Feb. 3 and at the finals if things go their way. And did I mention there’s a category for crowd participation for any locals who wanna make the trip up I-5 and show support?

They’re competing for studio time, a slot at Bumbershoot and an appearance on KNDD-FM

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