I’ve been meaning to pass along some tidbits of information I’ve been learning about the Ventures, Fabulous Wailers show that’s coming up at the Moore on April 10. For starters, I’ve confirmed that Lt. Gov. Brad Owen will jump on stage with the Ventures to play sax on a couple of songs. (Learn more about his band connections here. Plus, the April 10 show will actually be the kickoff for a world tour. A related announcement is expected to fill in the details on all of that, a forthcoming documentary and the new “Two Car Garage”

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Mastodon’s new album “Crack the Skye” is one of this year’s most highly anticipated discs. Hey, I know I’m giddy with anticipation. And it’s just hours away, assuming you haven’t found some way to steal it through some torrent site already.

Well, you’ll be able to get it legally right around midnight, at any rate. And I thought I’d post this link to the interview I did with singer-bassist Troy Sanders last year before Mayhem Fest. Then, his band was in the studio working on cuts like lead single “Oblivion” and “The Czar,” and he promised

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Here’s more good news, for those of you already excited about the Death Cab for Cutie announcement. Sub Pop recording artists, the Shins, will headline Showbox at the Market on May 4 and 5. Both shows will kick off at 9 p.m. The May 4 show will be open to all ages, while you’ll have to be 21 or older for the May 5 gig.

Tickets are $34.99 and will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Check here for details.

Bill Engvall headlined the Tacoma Dome in December. And in May, his Blue Collar buddy Larry the Cable Guy will take a crack at T-town’s biggest venue. His Eat, Drink & Be Larry Tour will drop in on the T-Dome on May 15, the Tacoma Dome announced today.

Tickets will go for $35.75 to $55.75 beginning 10 a.m. Friday (March 27). Check here for more info.

When I last spoke to him, Death Cab for Cutie’s Nick Harmer remarked at how weird it was that his band hadn’t done a proper, headlining Seattle date for “Narrow Stairs,” considering how many Washington shows the band played during last year’s touring cycle. (He didn’t count Bumbershoot, since it’s a festival.)

Well, now Death Cab has got one. Or the band is headlining close to Seattle in Redmond, at least. Seattle Theater Group just announcing that Death Cab will headline Marymoor Park on July 18. Vancouver, BC-based power-pop outfit, the New Pornographers, have

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The folks behind a new lounge called 1022 South plan to have a soft opening by week’s end, having been issued an interim license by the Washington Liquor Control Board. Chris Langston, the man running the show, says tentative plans are to open doors at 1022 S. J St. — where the Monsoon Room did business last year — some time between Thursday and Sunday.

The building is owned by Neil Harris, who also owns the New Frontier Lounge in the Dome district.

I sought out Spanaway country artist Jonathan Harris for my second Grit City bootleg subject. And the challenges were many Friday night when he headlined Applini’s Two Clean & Sober Club in Puyallup. (It opened a few weeks ago at 1015 N. Meridian, in the spot that used to be Mugs & Jugs Sports Bar, if you haven’t heard of it.)

It’s a cozy joint, so there were no remote corners where I could retreat to escape the chatter around the pool tables or burger and fry transactions taking place within arms reach of my microphone.

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Little Bill Engelhart is a Tacoma legend since, among other things, he and the Bluenotes pretty much started the rock scene as we know it in these parts, way back in the mid-50s. And considering how influential the bands that followed in Little Bill & the Bluenotes’ wake were (the likes of the Ventures, the Sonics and the Fabulous Wailers), Engelhart indirectly helped launch rock scenes in a bunch of other places, too. So, just to get you in the mood for the Little Bill tribute that’s scheduled for Saturday (March

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Against my better judgment, I risked a rare and reliably annoying pilgrimage to Maggie O’Toole’s last night. It’s where my friends wanted to go. So, outvoted, I shut up and tagged along. But between the door guys’ predictably surly and borderline hostile demeanor, and an attempt to rip me off with a $20, 1 a.m. cover charge (owner Jeff Corbin says its 10, but contemptuous door guy seemed to double it on the spot) I was reminded of why I never venture to this place if I don’t have to. Besides, the constant blare of car alarms and heated banter

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Was thoroughly impressed with Tacoma-Seattle power trio Helms Alee (two-thirds of which is the duo Lozen) at Top of Tacoma last night. They’re heavy, sludgy, distorted and kind of prog in a way that’ll appeal to fans of the Melvins, Isis and (especially) Jucifer. Bought a copy of “Night Terror,” their album from Hydra Head Records and am jamming it into my iPod as we speak.

Speaking of which, new Critic’s iPod clips are on the way.