It’s a sad time for Tacoma’s influential garage-rock vets. Before we learned that singer-guitarist Lee Parker had passed away today, I’d meant to post details for a benefit concert that’s being held Sunday for the family of Galaxies guitarist Bob Koch, who died of cancer last month.

The tribute show will feature the Galaxies, Blue Oasis, Shelly Ely Band, the Tim Hall Band and an all-star jam from 4 to 10 p.m. at Imperial Dragon Restaurant, 6806 Sixth Ave., in Tacoma.

Galaxies bassist Chuck Naubert said the Galaxies will go on at 7 p.m. with he, Rob Lowery, …

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Lee Parker – a talented singer and guitarist known for playing with several popular local bands, dating back to Lee Parker & the Sharps in the 1950s – has died.

Parker, a resident of Vancouver, died on Saturday from complications related to a long struggle with emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, according to Lynda Brooks, his sister. He was 68.
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Last fall, I reported that Tacoma garage-rock legends, the Sonics, were working on a batch of new songs with Seattle producer Jack Endino. (If you missed that post, click here to find audio of lead howler Jerry Roslie describing the new songs.

Then, Roslie thought the band might release a four-song E.P. But today I got this e-mail update from Sonics camp with some exciting news.

Hello Ernest

The Sonics will be leaving for our 4th European tour on June 30. We’ll be playing festivals in Italy, Norway, Finland, Spain, Belgium and Germany.

…

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Legendary Tacoma garage-rock band, the Fabulous Wailers, and ailing front man Kent Morrill will be back in action this weekend, headlining their first performances since last fall.

The iconic garage-rock band – which ushered in the Original Northwest Sound with 1959 hit “Tall Cool One” – will headline a benefit concert for Seattle Children’s Hospital, with their set scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Sunday at BMC Select in Issaquah.

Then, on Sunday, Wailers will top the bill of a Gulf of Mexico relief show that will also feature the Jerry Miller Band, Malcolm Clark, China Davis and more at Tacoma’s Swiss Tavern.

The Wailers have been out of commission for several months as front man Kent Morrill has undergone surgeries and treatment for life-threatening prostate cancer. But the singer said he recently tested the waters by singing a few songs with the Neil Rush Band at the Highlander in Seattle.
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Quick trivia question: What do Justin Timberlake, Will Smith and Tacoma’s Girl Trouble all have in common?

Duh! So obvious, people! They’re all multi-talented stars of stage and silver screen.

Wait, you say you’ve seen “Black Snake Moan” and “Ali.” But you’re drawing a blank when it comes to a feature length film that stars Girl Trouble, the beloved local garage-punk quartet that’s been, in their words, “eluding fame since 1984.”

Then head down to Tacoma’s Rialto Theater Saturday evening to catch “Quiet Shoes,” the new, low-budget comedy that was co-written by …

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Expect to hear some fresh, new cuts when the Kings of Leon drop by the scenic Gorge Amphitheatre on July 17.

“Today is actually our last day in the studio, and we’re wrapping it up,” said singer-guitarist Caleb Followill of the Nashville band’s forthcoming album. He was taking part in a conference call with brother, Jared, and a bunch of rock writers from around the country today.

“There are times when it’s very tropical and beachy, but there’s always that dark chord in there that makes it Kings of Leon,” he said of the new material, …

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They’re all musical, acting double-threats, that’s what. Like, duh, people!

And for several weeks I’ve been hearing about “Quiet Shoes,” a feature-length film written by Girl Trouble’s Kurt Kendall and starring bassist Dale Phillips.

At last, there’s an official premier date. You can see Dale “as you’ve never seen him before, walking the line between sanity and raging ambiguity” on June 19 at Broadway Center’s Rialto Theater. Here’s the trailer to whet your appetite.

Southern-fried alt-rockers Kings of Leon will headline Grant County’s Gorge Amphitheatre on July 17, Live Nation announced today.

Kings of Leon – best known for hits “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody” – will kick off its summer tour on June 5 in Atlantic City, N.J. The Gorge show will be the band’s only Northwest stop.

Tickets that show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 19, with prices ranging from $35.50 to $49.50. You’ll be able to buy them here, and you can check out all tour dates …

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Rock icon Dick Dale will headline Olympia’s Capitol Theater tonight. And that’s as good a reason as any to dust off Tacoma Rock City’s first ever video Grit City Bootleg, from when the surf guitar guru last appeared at Hell’s Kitchen. And apparently I wasn’t the only one shootin’ video.

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I’d been hearing that a Fabulous Wailers show was in the works this month. And today, front man Kent Morrill sent me this poster with details of a Dec. 17 food drive at the Swiss Tavern. Click to enlarge.