The woman who answered to phone over at Surreal Ultra Lounge said they’re doing a test run tonight with friends and family with plans to be up and running at 728 Pacific Ave., in Tacoma, on April 30. Sounds like ownership is on schedule, unlike the Firwood Lounge, their other property on the block.

I’ve been trying to track down GM Hyon Kil to get the skinny on both. Meanwhile, here’s what he said about the Firwood when I talked to him last fall.

As tweeted the other day, Tacoma’s garage-punk heroes Girl Trouble have been sued by Gorilla Productions. The Ohio-based company alleges defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress, all based on from drummer Bon henderson’s Never Pay to Play site. Henderson – a.k.a. Bon Von Wheelie – even has a link to the lawsuit here.)

Local rocker turned lawyer Wade Neal (Seaweed, the F-ing Eagles) will represent the band. There will be more about it in Friday’s GO section. Meanwhile, you can the link below to hear Henderson …

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Today, a big players in Tacoma nightlife outlined two new projects coming to downtown. Club owner Jon Tartaglia tells me Cans is going country under a new name, the Big Whisky Saloon; and the nearby Vault will soon re-open as an upscale, new dance club, Encore.

Big Whisky is a concept conceived by Tartaglia’s partner, Roger Rahil. And they expected to unveil the new theme at 100 S. Ninth St., on April 30. Tartaglia and Rahil also expect to open Encore a few weeks later at S. 11th and Pacific Avenue.

Tartaglia and Rahil ran adjoining downtown nightclubs the Loft and 21 Commerce, arguably Tacoma’s hottest spot when they sold to Maggie O’Toole’s owner Jeff Corbin in 2006. Renamed the Loft at 21 Commerce, the bars closed in 2008.
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Just checked out this P.S.A. Tacoma rapper Roderic recorded for the 2010 Census. And you can check out clips from the last interview I did with him, before he appeared on BET a while back, by clicking here.

Here’s an up-and-coming Tacoma band I’ve been meaning to showcase for a while, Pioneers West. These clips are from the New Frontier on March 20. They’re playing there again on Thursday if you want to support what you see and hear here.

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Green Apple Quick Step played only their second show in about a dozen years last night at Hell’s Kitchen. I had my trusty Canon Rebel XTI handy, so I decided to play rock photog again. Here’s what I got.

Hey, who’s ready for some “Dirty Water Ocean?”

In case you haven’t heard, Seattle post-grunge outfit Green Apple Quick Step is back in action, ready to rock only their second show in about a dozen years Friday night at Tacoma’s Hell’s Kitchen. “Dirty Water” – a cut that earned the band props from none other than “Beavis and Butthead” back in the ‘90s – will definitely be on tonight’s set list.

So says lead singer and Tacoma boy Ty Willman, who I caught up with for Friday’s GO section. Click the links to hear some of what he …

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Driving around yesterday, I spied none other than Coolio on the Jazzbones marquee. ‘Bones booking guy Sean Culver later confirmed the April 16 date. Don’t know if I’m that nostalgic for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” but I sure hope he brings some of these when he’s in town.

On a side note, I’m noticing a pattern. Coolio? MC Hammer at the Emerald Queen? So when are Gerardo and Vanilla Ice showing up?

This …

… plus this …

… promises to be totally insane.

See for yourself … if you dare. KP Kendall just e-mailed the itinerary for four bills hometown heroes Girl Trouble will share with Blowfly in the Pacific Northwest.

March 25 @ The East End in Portland

March 26 @ The Comet in Seattle

March 27 @ The New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma

…

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Turntable Treasures owner Peter Van Rosendael was pretty anxious a few months ago when I talked to him, around the time the owners of the building his business had been for years declared their intent to sell.

But things got sorted out. Van Rosendael just called to invite me to the grand opening of his new spot, which is just a block off the Ave at 608 N. Prospect St. The ribbon cutting ceremony will kick off at 1 p.m. on April 1 for all you vinyl lovers who want to drop by.

Find out more …

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