I'm all for shows happening in more offbeat and awkward spaces. Until this city (or more entrepreneurial individuals) finds suitable replacements for the much-loved and missed venues like Second Avenue Pizza and the Punkin House (R.I.P.), I can't stop complaining about how there aren't enough quirky places for smaller, more-experimental bands coming through town.

Not that the music community isn't trying to expand from the status quo. Just last weekend Kane Hodder were supposed to play a show in a Bremerton barn with a few other local bands, but I heard the cops came and busted the party before the third band could go on. Bummer. More successful, though, are the occasional hardcore shows at the American Legion Hall in West Seattle (events are usually listed on nwhardcore.com). And there are still house shows around town (Firebreathing Kangaroo in Georgetown and West Seattle's Flophaus, for example); it just feels like you have to look harder (and know where to look) to find them.

If you're tired of jumping around to the same few clubs, Bellevue Skate King has a solution. For the past month, Skate King has been hosting all-ages shows on Tuesday nights, with a cheap cover (usually $7) that includes free roller-skate rentals. The band plays, you skate, and it sounds like a lot of fun. This week's installment features the music of the Turn-Ons, Mono in VCF, and New West Motels.

New West Motels are a newer local band featuring ex-members of Wussy Beat Up the Jocks, Fairgrove, and Alcohol Funnycar. They play really lo-fi but sweet indie pop that's sometimes catchy and fun and sometimes somber and a little sad. They have a few songs available at www.purevolume.com/newwestmotels. (By the way, I can totally see the song "Beautiful" being the perfect tune for the evening's "couples only" skate... just a suggestion.)

Also on the bill are Mono in VCF, who are a bit more moody and heavy on the keyboards, with a sound reminiscent to some of '80s favorites like Echo and the Bunnymen and the Psychedelic Furs.

The show starts at 7:00 p.m., and admission is $7 at the door (remember, that includes the skates). Bellevue Skate King is located at 2301 140th Ave NE. Driving directions and more information can be found on their website, www.bellevueskateking.com, or by calling 425-641-2047.

Speaking of skating, Bellevue Skate Park (14224 Bel-Red Road) is hosting a skateboard competition on Saturday, July 30, and local punk band Fifty Fifty will play along with a few other acts yet to be announced. Check www.sk8core.com for updates on the lineup and more information. This is just one of the free skatepark shows the Sk8core crew has booked. A few more events are listed on their website, and rumor has it that they plan on having shows through the winter at various local parks and skate shops. I'll keep you updated. n

For All Ages listings, see page 48.