We've come to the point in rock history that there are actually "punk classics," and you know you want to slam a few brewskies, climb on a stage and belt out something - hell, anything - by the Ramones.

This scenario can play out every Thursday and Saturday night at the historic Engine House No. 9 in Tacoma. You pick a tune out of the songbook, host Rev. Colin loads it, you're Joey for three minutes.

Bonus: Rev. Colin possesses a wealth of oddball musical knowledge and a disarming ease for calling everyone "baby."

[Engine House No 9, 10 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, no cover, 611 N. Pine St., Tacoma, 253.272.3435]

SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT >>>

Sorry we didn't hear about this yesterday, but check the repeat button on your smartphone calendar ... for discounted buckets of Full Sail Session Lagers every Wednesday. Hellz yes.

The Loose Wheel Bar and Grill offers a bucket of five Session lagers for $12. That's a good deal.

The sports bar also discounts its wings and prime rib dinner Wednesdays.

Get there early to Loose-en up for the 9 p.m. karaoke.

[The Loose Wheel Bar and Grill, 6108 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.301.1647]

WATCH OUT FOR SHARP OBJECTS >>>

Laid-back is the essence of Sunday. That means a lazy mid-afternoon brunch, no work, phone off the hook, sweats ... you know the routine. The mere thought of lifting a finger to wash the mountain of dishes in the sink should make you shudder. Only as the sun starts to slip down should you attempt any activities. Then, you should hightail it to Dawson's where Tim Hall opens up it.

The Tim Hall Band hosts the Sunday Night blues Jam at Dawson's Bar and Grill on South Tacoma Way. Frontman "Too Tall" Tim Hall is a towering, workingman  blues guitarist who originally rocked it psychedelic with Jerry Miller in the Bay Area during the '60s. Hall switched to the blues after opening for legendary guitarist Albert Collins at an all-ages venue in South Tacoma called The Break Thru. Gigging with Robert Cray and Jho Blenis, and fine-tuning his chops in several blues groups, he eventually found his home under his own name and has been recording albums and playing every clubs in the Pacific Northwest as the Tim Hall Band for the last 25 years.

Warning: Besides awesome rockin' blues, you'll find hot dart league action Sunday nights at Dawson's. Weekly Volcano photographer Steve Dunkelberger thought his flash would be the death of him. Apparently, dart throwers don't enjoy distractions.

Other than that bar faux pas, Sunday nights at Dawson's are filled with blues originals and covers – and tipsy middle-aged folks swaying to the music.

[Dawson's Bar and Grill, Tim Hall Band Open Jam Session, 8 p.m., 5443 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.476.1421]

LINK: More photos of the open blues jam

HAVE A DRINK WITH THE CULLENS >>>

In the late ‘70s, Goth's association with gargoyle-laden architecture of the Medieval Period and monster novels of 18th century daisy-pushers such as Anne Radcliffe was coffined for the bleak post-punk prophecies such as of Joy Division, dark clothing, androgyny and waif-thin appendages that consumed the definition.

Bela Lugosi's dead - long live Bela Lugosi!

In downtown Olympia Goth means the Cryptatropa bar, or as Olympians call it, the "vampire Bar." It's dark with red lights and black booths, and Pan graces the jukebox.

The joint has a funk of sweat and spilled beer, but frankly so does the street outside. What makes this a killer spot - in addition to the New Wave cranking from the dance floor - are the intimate, dimly-lit booths hiding dweller and their conversations/make-out sessions.

[Cryptatropa Bar, 421 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.754.3867]

LINK: More photos from Friday night at Cryptatropa Bar

WE SCENE IT >>>

By 1 a.m. last night, the rowdies and chit-chatters in Tacoma had begun to thin. My night began at before Martyr Machine inside Hell's Kitchen, then progressed to the Gruv Lounge for DJ1, AC/DC tribute band Soul Stripper at the Backstage Bar & Grill and ending with Kry at The Swiss. I came up short on the phone numbers, although I met a charming lass at the Backstage - until her roommate yanked her away for last call down the street. Oh well, enjoy the photos I snapped during my journey.

Martyr Machine at Hell's Kitchen
Gruv Lounge

Soul Stripper at Backstage Bar & Grill

Backstage Bar & Grill

Kry at The Swiss

LINK: More photos from last night

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE UNICORN SPORTS BAR >>>

Bartenders can make or break a bar. The Unicorn Sports Bar sits in the former category. The folks who hang at the Ruston watering hole do so because of bartender Darrell. He seems to know all of his customers and what they drink. He is Johnny Hustle with those bottles and taps. Added to that, the DJ music, mixed age and race crowd and the way-too-good for-bar-food eats on the menu make this a hole in the wall worth navigating the neighborhood to find it.

[Unicorn Sports Bar, 5302 N. 49th St., Ruston, 253.752.5939]

Tahee Reece

Freddie Ravenell and Jimmy Oquist

DJ Tim Wallen

LINK: More photos of the night

WE SCENE IT >>>

This isn't your typical Saturday night in The BullWheel Pub & Grill at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. The ski bum vibe has been transformed. Wind burns and bright ski jackets give way to the racier imagery of thongs and bras befitting the night's theme. The music is rocking. But the real difference goes beyond the watering hole's ambience. It's not often you see this much leather in one place. The crowd ranges from sexy to odd, but decidedly intriguing.

Some who pass through the bar's doors appear to have arrived by accident, figuring it to be an average, perhaps even quiet night to get a drink. Ironically, these otherwise nondescript would-be patrons are the ones who stand out for the moment, awkwardly camouflaged in their ski hat plainness against a landscape of decadence personified. The energy continues to build into a full-blown, raging party. And for those who  find thrill in the act of people watching, there's no better venue than this.

Welcome to Dirt Bag Ball. 

For some, it was about the fashion this past Saturday night; getting to wear something out of the ordinary;  enjoying the tactile sensation of dirty or racy clothing against the skin. Obviously, there's a certain mystique or thrill in wearing rock star or groupie attire. For others, it was about the music, as the theme for this 10^th annual event was Rockers and Rockettes. It was a de facto meeting place for those who like the sleazy '70s, '80s glam, and grungy '90s. The rock, New Wave and metal covers by band One-Eye Jack were as inseparable from the scene as the form-fitting corset.

For still others, like the dude who wore an empty Pabst half-rack box on his head, or the dude who dressed as Angus Young, or the chick dressed as Madonna who wouldn't stay off the band's stage, it was about partying to the extreme.

My wife, Kate, and I attended this year's Dirt Bag Ball sandwiched between two days of awesome powder. It was the best night of people watching I've experienced in a while. And the $25 ticket benefitted the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol education fund.

We'll be back.

LINK: More photos from the night

OPENING NIGHT >>>

O'Malley's Irish Pub's inaugural Open Stage Mondays night saw a stack of solid talent and a light crowd. Hosted by the female duo Sevens Revenge, the all-acoustic open mic night witnessed rappers, folk songsters, cover acts - and original artists trying out new stuff. Kyle Dufault just happen to stop by and heard the music. He came in and found himself on stage with a borrowed guitar, smacking it like it owned him money. Toss in the working-class crowd of PBR regulars and casual date-night couples and the scene was set.

Open Stage Mondays runs 8:30-11:30 p.m. every Monday with no cover charge. As an added bonus O'Malley's throws in $3 craft beers and $5 hot wings.

Kyle Dufault was strolling by and found himself on stage.

Robo Repp, Emily Strom and Robbie Wirth

Lisa Brown takes a shot on her birthday as Jesseka Bethke watches.

LINK: More photos of the night

O'Malley's Irish Pub

2403 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
253.383.3144

A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE >>>

Do the early-workweek doldrums have you down? Feeling a little groove sensation rising in your blood? Sounds like dance-party time to us. Head over to Magoo's Annex right now for their new Micro Monday's with Dj Melodica aka John Hodgson. He'll be spinning out an ear- and an ass-ful of great punk, post punk, New Wave, early electronica, psychedelia, garage - basically everything but the kitchen sink. It's every Monday at 8 p.m. thing so hit it up tonight. Who really cares if you have poli sci at 8 a.m.?

Magoo's Annex

2710 N. 21st St., Tacoma
253.759.0467

WE SCENE IT >>>

Saturday night, The High Rollers filled Dawson's Bar and Grill at 56th and South Tacoma Way with tight chords, jam riffs and classic rock from the Doors, Santana, and the golden age of rock. The dance floor stayed full.

Check out more shots from the night in our Photo Hot Spot.