Tacoma’s been getting a lot of press recently, what with its burgeoning music scene and the Elephants, a sweet pop band that resides in the southern burg, have been contributing to that momentum in a major way. Elephants members Trevor Dickson, Jason Freet and Cody Jones forged their initial bond over karaoke covers of Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond; eventually, the trio’s karaoke gatherings gave way to band practice. With their 21st-century twist on ’80s synth pop, the Elephants’ melancholy offerings sometimes seem a little Smiths-like, sans Morrissey’s melodramatic pomposity. The band members insist that none of them play their instruments very well, but they do play well enough to switch off on vocals, keyboard, guitar and drums (when they’re not using a drum machine). And even though Seattle is as saturated with indie pop bands as it is with moisture, the Elephants prove once and for all that Tacoma regularly produces great artists who can hold their own in Seattle’s cutthroat music scene. With Over the Atlantic and PWRFL Power. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 323-99853. 9 p.m. SARA BRICKNER

Sat., April 26, 9 p.m., 2008