I heard that Seattle’s Left Hand Smoke would be trying out songs this weekend at Jazzbones that might wind up on a brand-spankin’-new album. I missed the band’s most recent Tacoma stops, at the Boneyard and the University of Puget Sound in September. And it had been a while since I caught up with lead singer and keyboard player Ben Mish, so I dropped him a line to get the skinny.

“We’ve got at least 10 songs that are ready for a new album,” Mish reported. “We probably have 20 to pick from because we’ve done a lot of recording over the last year, all in demo form. We’re kind of deciding what to do. We’re looking for a producer, and we’re not sure where we’re going to record the final tracks.”

He gave me a few songs that Tacoma fans can listen up for at tonight’s show:

“You Don’t Know Me”: “That one’s kind of a midtempo, funky song that people like to dance to. It’s more in the soul category and less in the rock ’n’ roll category.

“I had a couple of lines, part of a bigger song I wrote. … The rest I sort of made up on the spot, where the ‘you don’t know me’ came in” for the refrain.

“Brand New Feast”: “That one’s kind of a slower, funky, rootsy rock ’n’ roll tune.”

“You Let ’Em Down”: “That one’s been kickin’ around for a while, but we added it to the set list and have been tryin’ to work it out live lately. It’s kind of a country-influenced rock ’n’ roll song. But it’s got some different things happening there. (It’s) a little more straightforward and rockin’, although it has some minor chords. So it’s not like a ‘pump your fist’ rock ’n’ roll song; it’s a little more laid-back.”

Tonight’s show is all ages and kicks off at 8:30 p.m. It costs 12 bucks to get in; call 253-396-9169 or go to www.jazzbones.com for further details. And looking ahead, there’s the band’s 10th anniversary gig on Nov. 28 at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern. Tacoma’s own Vicci Martinez Band will add support to that bill, with more details available on the venue’s new Web site, tractortavern.ypguides.net.

MORE EJ’S PICKS

Schoolyard Heroes (5 p.m. Saturday, Hell’s Kitchen, 3829 Sixth Ave.): Sure, we’re two weeks past Halloween at this point. But, really, do screamo anthems about party-hearty serial killers and half-motorcycle centaurs ever get old? I think not, people – especially in the hands of these rowdy alumni of Charles Wright Academy. It’s an early, all-ages show and also features Champagne Champagne, Don’t Even Know and Sirens in the Sky; 253-759-6003 or www.hellskitchenonline.com for details.

Café Muse (2509 Sixth Ave., Tacoma): This all-ages music venue and coffee shop has been open for a couple of weeks now, but I’ve been bouncing around to so many shows (in two states, no less) and haven’t given it a proper once-over. If anyone else has thoughts or observations about this joint, you can leave ’em on Bring the Noise (blogs.thenewstribune.com/ej). The venue’s Web site promises local singer-songwriter Stephanie Johnson and A Leaf tonight, and the Kevin Davis Band and Mary Win on Saturday; 253-212-3934 or www.themuse.cc for details.

Ernest A. Jasmin: 253-274-7389