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 28) at the Rialto, here’s a clip of the big guy playing “Louie Louie” at Jambalaya in Parkland last fall.

Members of Olympia's Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin' Daddies are on the bill for a benefit for Randy Oxford band drummer Riky Hudson, who recently suffered a stroke. It's Sunday (March 15) at Jazzbones. Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers, Junkyard Jane's Leanne Trevalyan, Too Slim & the Taildraggers are also on the bill. Click here for more details.

In case you missed Vicci Martinez CD release show last Friday at Jazzbones, PLU students Bryanna Plog and Kelsey Lid shot some cool video. Check it out.

Catch Kusikia Saturday (Feb. 7) at Urban Xchange with Mount Eerie, Karl Blau and Calvin Johnson.

The local artist of the week is Tacoma crooner Dwayne D'Arby, who records with South Sound R&B/hip-hop label One Famm Records. This clip is from a show in Seattle, but Friday (Jan. 30) you'll be able to catch him at Jazzbones.

Who: Outtasite is the stage name for Seattle-born, Federal Way-based rapper Mike Singleton

Style: Don’t call it “rap rock” or “nu metal.” Outtasite’s blend of agro riffs and street savvy rhymes is inspired by early Run DMC, not Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock. .

In his own words: Listen up here.

You may also know him from years of collaborating with Seattle rap legend Sir Mix-A-Lot and Seattle supergroup Subset (Mix-A-Lot and the Presidents of the United States of America). Plus, he's half of Seattle alt-pop outfit, the Feelings Hijackers, with the Presidents' Chris Ballew.

Solo work: Outtasite's solo albums are “Right Side Down” and his new release “Careful What You Wish For.”

Listen up: The new album includes "Pass It Around," "Careful What You Wish For" and "Tequila Stepchild" (featuring Jane C).

See him live: Outtasite will headline his first show in support of the new album Friday at Jazzbones, with support from Sir Mix-A-Lot, Farchild, Tomeka Williams, the Rush Project and others.

Outtasite (left) will appear at Jazzbones on Friday with guitarist Joel Davila and others.
COURTESY OF OUTTASITE

Well, something weird that’s beyond my level of technological comprehension happened to our blog server last week. And that's why it’s taken me a few days longer than expected to upload those Girl Trouble interview clips promised in last Friday’s paper. But after a quick meeting with one of our web gurus, here they are.

My interview with Girl Trouble singer-saxophonist Kurt “K.P.” Kendall, drummer Bon Von Wheelie and guitarist Bill “Kahuna” Henderson was to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the Ft. Steilacoom College battle of the bands competition that they count as their first official show. Bon is the gal you hear talking. K.P. has the deeper voice. And Kahuna is the guy who comes in with the Johnny Thunders comment in the first clip. Got it? Got it. Anyway, here’s some of what those guys remembered.

Clip 1: Starting the band

Clip 2: Rejected band names

Clip 3: The birth of a gimmick

Clip 4: How they met Sylvia Eads, aka Granny Go-GO (above)

Home base: Mostly Tacoma, though singer Kim Miller hails from Bellevue

Lineup: The live band includes Miller, Hunter Lea (guitar, keyboards), Jordan Luckman (bass), Jason Falk (drums), Martin Feveyear (keyboards), George Reed-Harmon (guitar) and Scott Clarke (percussion, keyboards)

Style: The band’s new, self-titled album features moody, cinematic pop that bridges the gap between Nancy Sinatra and early Goldfrapp.

Hear ‘em online: At www.monoinvcf.com or www.myspace.com/monoinvcf

See ‘em next: At the band’s CD release party Sunday at the Triple Door in Seattle

Big changes: Hunter Lea on a tumultuous run that included lineup changes and a bout with cancer..

A new chapter: Lea on finding Miller and forging ahead with a new aesthetic.

Ed Taylor

Home base: Tacoma

Style: Smooth jazz, funk, fusion

Discography: “Good Is Good” (2004), “Taylor Made” (2005), “Songs from a Taylor” (2007)

Influences: Taylor describes the evolution of his style from being more flashy, flamboyant and rock-influenced in his younger days to the more refined smooth jazz approach fans hear today. “When I was younger, I loved the Beatles, Chuck berry and Wes Montgomery. … As I got older and I got into my 20s and 30s, I got bored with certain types of music, and that lead me into the George Benson, Wes Montgomery territory.”

Listen up: "Do What You've Got to Do" (feat. Peter White); "Ronny's Daily Flash" (from his newest album, “Songs from a Taylor”)

Hear more at: www.edtaylormusic.com

See him next: 7 p.m. Saturday at Jazzbones. Taylor’s supporting cast this weekend will include Dennis Blackmon on keys, Kevin England on trumpet and flugelhorn, Keith Klawwitte on tenor saxophone, Derek Nelson on baritone sax, John Roberts on bass and Brian Smith on drums.

What: A Tacoma-based R&B and hip-hop label; the acronym stands for One Family Always Makes Money.

Founded: 1999

Mission: In the words of CEO Theo “Mr. Network” Hall

Current roster: R&B singer Dwayne D’Arby (think Anthony Hamilton, David Hollister) and rapper, the Factor

Live: D’Arby and the Factor perform with artists from Port Orchard’s Mastermynd Entertainment, at Midweek Affair, a Wednesday night event at McCabe’s, and Soul Fusion, Fridays at Syren Lounge. They’ll also perform at Paul Wall’s after party tonight at the Loft.

Hall is also looking for other acts to perform; mrnetwork@onefammrecords.com.