Bremerton gets older and wiser this weekend

ARTIMUS MAXIMUS with 9 lb. Beaver, The Fixt and Spinal Cracker, 9:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Winterland, 1220 Sylvan Way in Bremerton. 21+, $5. www.myspace.com/winterlandrockbones

I realized who the rock and roll phenomena and Kitsap legend Artimus Maximus truly was when I first saw the cover of the band’s latest release “Crazy Alcoholic Wife,” released on In Out Gone records last May.

On the cover, Artimus frontman Art Gillette is in a situation too crazy for prime time. You can see for yourself at Kitsap Music, 2915 Wheaton Way, in Bremerton.

In many ways, that craziness provides a shockingly solid metaphor for Artimus’ music — unrelenting, in-your-face rock and roll with a sick and abrasively comical twist.

Chances are there will be few people who leave the show with either face or gut intact. One is likely to be melted, the other split.

UNDERDOG with SoS, Black Light District and Janison Penn, 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at Artists for Freedom and Unity Hall, 318 N. Callow in Bremerton. All ages, $5 donation, www.myspace.com/artistforfreedomandunity

This show is quite ironic in nature given that all three of the bands slated for this Friday’s all-ages adventure at the AFU have members either above or close to the 40-year mark.

Which definitely isn’t a bad thing, just humorous in the context of an all-ages show. But perhaps the kids can learn something from these wise old rockers.

Underdog is an original, three-piece Americana-rock style group, that keeps the old school of rock and roll — i.e. Rolling Stones, Beatles, etc. — alive through its original compositions.

LESLEY GORE, 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Admiral Theatre, 515 Pacific Ave. in Bremerton. All ages, dinner shoe $29, main floor $28, loge $22, balcony $16. www.admiraltheatre.org.

The voice of “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to,” Lesley Gore had a string of golden hits during the “girl-group era” of the 1960s. Now more than 40 years later she’s back at it again after releasing “Ever Since” in 2005, her first record of new material since 1976.

She’ll play to a fitting crowd at the Admiral Friday night.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.