This Friday Head Like a Kite, Truckasaurus and Fresh Espresso will simultaneously take the stage at Neumo's for one night of thumping beats, expert flows, virtuoso synth work and cross-genre experimentation. There will be no set changes, and the bands will instead cover, rearrange and jam over each other's individual songs. Rather than another show with three bands on the bill, it's going to be an event so unique it's getting its own name (and another dope Terry Radjaw poster to go with it): Head Like an Espresso Truck. If you're not already sold on the principle alone, here are five good reasons why you should be at Neumo's come Friday night.

1. The three bands' styles complement each other perfectly - Fresh Espresso is synth-heavy hip-hop with plenty of electronic leanings. Truckasaurus is a unique blend of Gameboy-laced instrumental electronic with an inclination towards the hip-hop end of the beat spectrum. Head Like a Kite has their own brand of hip-hop-friendly electro-rock, and have worked with other rappers in the past. These three unique styles will undoubtedly come together in a major way to create some serious musical fusion.

2. Trent Moorman and Tyler Swan are sick at drums - Everyone knows Trent Moorman is a crazy good drummer. The guy plays in a handful of bands (HLAK, The Saturday Knights, plus he's recorded with Animals at Night) and has a style perfectly conducive to hip hop. The first time I saw The Saturday Knights live I was shocked to see him rattling out the rapid successions of 16th notes throughout "Nobody Beats Us" on a drum pad, rather than using a programmed sample. A lot of people probably don't realize how good Tyler Swan of Truckasaurus is since he usually uses an electronic drum machine during most of their shows, but expect that to change after Friday night. Head Like an Espresso Truck will feature both drummers flexing their talent on live kits, which will undoubtedly include a few radical, show-stealing drum solo duels.

3. Rik Rude is a filthy rapper - Although he hasn't lived in Seattle his entire life, Rik Rude is one of the hip-hop scene's most seasoned veterans. His polished flow over P Smoov's glitzy robotic beats on Fresh Espresso's Glamour were what really made the album shine. Expect Rik to drop some ridiculous flows not only over Smoov's beats, but to kick freestyles and new verses during the two other bands' material as well. A rapper of his caliber is sure to bring an extra verbal punch to a show already oozing instrumental talent.

4. The groups have a penchant for great live shows - Truckasaurus dons trucker hats and American flag capes with a background mash-up of monster trucks and '80s WWF matches. Head Like a Kite wear feather boas and crazy hats while mannequin heads sporting V for Vendetta masks and other strange headgear decorate their setup. Don't be surprised if a costumed dancer or two takes the stage for a few songs either, as it's a normal occurrence during their shows. Fresh Espresso brings a genuine energy and presence to the stage, and set themselves apart from other hip-hop acts with P Smoov's live synth and vocoder expertise. Needless to say, the combination of these ambitious fellows on one single stage should be quite the spectacle.

5. There will be drinking games (?!?!) - Seriously, it says so in the description for the show on the Neumo's website. Makes you wonder what other diabolical tricks these guys could have up their sleeves. But really, this show symbolizes everything that's great about the Seattle music scene. Nobody in these bands are worrying about anything other than having fun and playing some rad live tunes with other like-minded dudes. It's simply artists collaborating with other artists, blurring the defining lines between genres and maybe having a few cold ones in the process. The amount of talent taking the stage on Friday will be staggering - gearheads, drummers, guitarists, Gameboys, synthesizers, rappers and robot voices. This is Seattle music at its best, so come out to Neumo's on Friday and support it. You won't be disappointed.

*** Mike Ramos is a regular contributor to Ear Candy and is the author of the music blog Hella Progressive.