Gird your loins. Post-rock instrumentalists Carbon Canyon share their penchant for "Black Magic and Pornography" at 191 Toole. They share the bill with the culturally appropriated "Groovysmo" of Ricky Shimo's Anchorbaby—inhabitants of the borderland where multinational entities—McDonald's and Coca-Cola—coexist with horchata and carne asada sold from a carreta in perfectly pitched harmony.  As an added bonus Wooden Tooth DJs spin. Details here.

"Fairies wear boots and you gotta believe me." From the portal of Hell, otherwise known as Los Angeles, Black Sabbitch are at Club Congress. Details here.

Led by two-time Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist Chip Dabney, The AmoSphere dabble in every genre imaginable at Chicago Bar. Details here.

"Born a fucking suspect/To a corrupted system." Metalcorists Without Crows "Resist" at Ward6 with Remain and Sustain and Slow Descent. Details here.

Violent by Nature, Tucson thrash metalists, have been inciting mosh pit frenzy since 1986. Atrophy unleash the mania at Encore. St. Madness, Dedwin and Mechanics of the Mind add layers of chaos.

Showcasing some of the Old Pueblo's top and up-and-coming turntablists, Funk Yo House Fridays goes off at Irene's Holy Donuts. Details here.

This installment of Nitecall sees Phoenix's experimental/electronic/noise sculptress Lana Del Rabies join DJ Mijito to drop death bombs of genre-bending darkwave, electronica, industrial and techno at R Bar. Details here.

A perfect pairing for date night: Naim's A Jazz Trio is at Exo Roast Co. Details here.

In a previous life, before moving to Tucson, this rockabilly raconteur co-opted his surname during his stint with Boston's Foul Mouthed Elves. Guitar chugging away, his stories tell of a hardscrabble life while the wallop of his kick drum sets an energetic pace. Al Foul plays Westbound. Details here.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is celebrating the plethora of amazing insects that live in the Sonoran Desert July 27 from 5 - 9 p.m. during their Insect Insanity night.

Children of all ages can learn about local bugs, make their own wearable antennae, see moths, butterflies and beetles, and even...try eating cricket-infused treats.

Meet American wildlife artist Guy Coheleach and draw your own rendition of a Sonoran wild cat, pet a stingray and explore in the packrat playhouse.

Bring a black light to look for fluorescing insects along the walkways! Museum docents would be happy to tell you all about the insects you find.

If you've ever ridden you bike along the Rillito bike path and gone under the bridge at Campbell and River, you might notice an acrid smell - that's guano. There's a colony of bats that live under the bridge and take flight right at dusk during the summertime. It's a beautiful natural phenomenon, and fun to bring kids to see.
It might seem like you're waiting a long time, or maybe they won't leave, or maybe you've missed it - you haven't, be patient.

A few bats will fly out first as the colony gets ready to leave the bridge. All of a sudden they will take off, streaming out from underneath and form a cloud. Their chirping is audible as they take off to go feed on insects.

Most likely, these are Mexican free-tail bats that have migrated here in April from Mexico, and will return to Mexico in October. They are protected by Arizona law and best viewed from a distance.

Catch their flight at dusk any evening during the summer, likely through September.

Saturday, July 27
OK. Now visualize Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese rockin' "the absolute fuck out" while covering Black Sabbath tunes. Right? Bear witness to this bizarre spectacle when Mac Sabbath roll The American Cheese Tour into 191 Toole. Adding to the appreciably high drama are Phoenix metalists Okilly Dokilly (who are dedicated to The Simpsons' Ned Flanders) and Playboy Manbaby, credited by Rolling Stone for "bringing sexy back to the genre of polka."

A sweaty summer just got a bit hotter. Humphouse's Disco Doll will be in the house spinning classic disco at Club Congress.

Darkness visible. Black metallists Ashbringer, Nullingroots, Cursed Ruins, Nullus and Severe Earth play an all-ages show at Ward6.

TPD officers and local punk rockers face off in The Great Punk'n Donuts Pig Out of 2019. As if that weren't enough, The Sindicate, Drizzle, The Cubes, Garrett William Moore and D[Form] are slated to perform all at Spark Project Collective. Donations will benefit Pathways Education Center, a nonprofit for children with learning differences and autism.

"Just for the Record," Hank Topless performs "Happy Time Blues" at The Bambi.

Adding something, uum, septic into the mix, Gutter Town shares the stage with Pretty Ugly, Texas T. Trash, Lost in the Sauce and Cactus Mike and The Pricks at Thunder Canyon Brewstillery.

DJ Stubbie keeps the myth alive during The Fineline Revisited at the Surly Wench Pub.

Since 2005, these multiple Best of Tucson winners for Best Cover Band channel new wave classics, pop and power ballads from what could be your favorite decade. 80s & Gentlemen rock on the rooftop at Playground.

No Introduction necessary, L.A.'s Dr. Fresch and Blossom drop bass and ghetto house when Goldrush Expeditions makes a stop at Gentle Ben's with local support from H.R. Guerin, Bagels & Lox and Jamaste.

Released in late April 2016, this Miami rapper's debut album Underground Underdog shot like a bullet up the charts to reach number 2 on iTunes Top Hip-Hop Albums to sit right behind Drake. Not too shabby. Firing off "1000 Rounds," Pouya spits straight '90s hip-hop and Memphis fire when he brings The Liquid Sunshine Tour to Encore. He's flanked by Ramirez and Boobie Lootaveli.

Performing original compositions and adaptations rooted in various pan-African styles including African folk, Afro-pop, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The Key Ingredients of African Soul mesmerize and make bodies involuntarily sway at Monterey Court.

"His songs move like the wind/He is the lone coyote howling in the desert/He has no secrets/He knows where the water is/You have to listen carefully/Maybe get down on your knees/And put your ear to the ground." –John Densmore, The Doors. Singer/songwriter  John Coinman is accompanied by bassist Blair Forward are at Exo Roast Co.

Sunday, July 28

Formed in Illinois 1967, this self-described "rock and roll band with horns"— is readily capable of cranking out the kind of ballads that become prom themes or accompany wedding vows—provided toothsome nosh for the MTV Generation to nibble upon during their zenith. In a career spanning five decades—having amassed 47 gold and platinum records worldwide—this powerhouse has not missed a year of touring since its inception. Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famers Chicago is at Tucson Music Hall.

Ethereal dreamscaper Anna Mall and experimental new waver Lady Uranium perform at Blacklidge Community Collective with Tucson's Jaime J. Soto and Caldon Glover.

They traveled the great expanses playing swing and West Coast blues. Now, The Kings of Pleasure reunite to jump, jive and wail once again at the Hideout Saloon–East.

Small wonder. This Americana singer-songwriter grew up in "a little bitty ranch house crammed with 10,000 books" and was weaned on a steady diet of Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff records. At age 7, his novelist father, Larry McMurtry, gave him his first guitar.

"My mother taught me three chords and the rest I just stole as I went along."

Fast forward to 2005, when his song "We Can't Make It Here"—which criticizes George W. Bush, the Iraq War and Wal-Mart—was praised by Rolling Stone's Robert Christgau as "the best song of the 2000s." Its lyrics cut like incisors. "Will I work for food, will I die for oil/Will kill for power and to us the spoils/The billionaires get to pay less tax/The working poor get to fall through the cracks/...Let 'em eat shit."
James McMurtry is at Club Congress with the sly, whiskey-soaked country of Bonnie Whitmore.

Americana's Most Wanted Fugitive Mark Insley and a cadre of gunslingers hold Iron John's Brewing Company–Congress for ransom (if only for a couple of hours) during his Thursday night residency. Details here.

Their latest record, Crisis Actor (Get Loud Recordings, 2019), is wrought out of self deprecation and societal condemnation. Singer Charlotte McCaslin said, "I didn't see the ascendancy of fascism as anything new here. My freshest feelings of disgust were toward anyone who could point their finger in one direction and walk away with a smirk on their face."
Falling somewhere between an angelic Gun Club and a demented Roy Orbison, Roselit Bone transfix at Exo Roast Co. Ex-Cowboy retell sentimental tales of heartache, loss and a murder or two. Details here.

Tucson darlings Sam Bounkeua & Dante Rosano delight on the patio at Agustin Kitchen. Details here.

Pianist and composer Larry Redhouse leads a world-class ensemble whose repertoire incorporates straight-ahead jazz, Latin, funk and reggae. The Larry Redhouse Trio play the Lookout Bar and Grille at Westward Look Resort. Details here.

Guitarist Gabriel Naim Amor showcases his eclectic virtuosity at Tap + Bottle–Downtown. Details here.

You just never know what they'll pull out of the crates. Wooden Tooth Records DJ Night happens at Che's Lounge. Details here.

In 1977, these Chicago prog rockers hit the jackpot with "Come Sail Away," an epic power ballad that ends in rock 'n' roll bombast.
"It's what Zeppelin perfected with 'Stairway To Heaven,'" erstwhile singer/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung was quoted as saying. "Start slow and finish big."
After six previous lukewarm albums, that song was a huge turning point.
"It shot us off into outer space."
July marks the 42nd anniversary of The Grand Illusion (A&M Records), the album that changed this band's trajectory. Styx is at the Tucson Music Hall. Details here.

The Rock 'n' Roll Beer Bash features sets by Dirty Magic Mike, Ted Riviera's Gunrunners and Technical Difficulties at Thunder Canyon Brewstillery. Details here.

From Las Vegas, Hemlock unleash the heavy metal thunder at House of Bards with ScarEater. Details here.

DJs Atom Energy and Lunar Fluxx lay a foundation of deep house at Bar Passé. Details here.

Tucson residents have until Monday, July 29 at midnight to register to vote in the upcoming primary election.

Additionally, anyone who has moved or needs to update their voter registration must do so by the deadline.

The primary election will take place on Aug. 27.

The City of Tucson holds elections every two years and this year the Mayor and Council Members for Wards 1,2 and 4 will be elected.

Tucson's elections are mail-in only and registered voters will receive their ballots in the mail starting Aug. 2. For those that prefer to cast their vote in person, they will have an opportunity to do so at the city Election Center, 800 E. 12th St., after Aug.5.

You can register or check your registration at https://servicearizona.com.

To register you must be a U.S., resident of the state and be at least 18.

For any questions, contact the office of the Pima County Recorder at 724-4330.

To learn more about the candidates, voting and to find a polling place, visit https://www.tucsonaz.gov/clerks/elections. 

From the outset, they set their sails for deeper seas, not knowing exactly where they would land. On Hail Mary (Geronimo West, 2019) producer Mark Neeham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons) sought to capture these Austinites’ high-energy, folksy, roots rockin’ country live act—with outstanding four-part harmonies—unadulterated in the studio.

“If I’m going to be singing something every night,” said Shane Smith, the band’s main songwriter, “I like to sing with an honest conviction.”
Shane Smith & The Saints are at The Rock tonight at 7 p.m. Drew Cooper offers up a cure for “Hangovers and Heartaches” during the opening slot.More details here.

In a rare pairing, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music presents, Bin Hu on acoustic Spanish guitar and guzhengist Jing Xia performing a diverse program where East meets West. It features compositions by Enrique Granados, Isaac Albéniz, Chenyu Huang and Wang Zhou at Holsclaw Hall at 7 p.m. Details here.

Their resumes are off-the-charts: Carmine Appice’s includes work with Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Ozborne and others. Vinny Appice pounded pagan skins for Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio, Rick Derringer and John Lennon to name a few. Two of the world’s most iconic drummers, The Appice Brothers battle to the finish at Encore tonight at 7 p.m. Details here.

Nearly a dozen businesses have already committed to attending a Pima County youth hiring event taking place next Wednesday afternoon.

From 1 to 3 p.m. on July 31 at Pima County’s Youth One-Stop Employment Center, 320 N. Commerce Park Loop, residents ages 16 to 24 are invited and asked to come dressed in their best clothes with a resume containing contact information.

The hiring event is sponsored by Pima County’s Community Services, Employment and Training Department, which is the administrative entity that operates the ARIZONA@WORK Job Centers known as One-Stop Career Centers. The event is geared toward youth looking for year-round and part-time jobs.

Anyone who needs help preparing a resume can stop by the One-Stop offices anytime until 4 p.m. on July 30.

Employers set to attend include: Arizona Lotus; Citi; Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health; Fry’s Food Stores; Gentle Dental; Harper’s LTD (carpentry)’ HDS Truck Driving; Park Avenue Healthcare; Pima Pain Center; the U.S. Army and the United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Arizona.
The Pima County Youth One-Stop is located between Congress and St. Mary’s, west of I-10. For more information, call 724-9649.

It's an all-ages event sure to surfeit the senses. Striving to provide safe community shows, Tucson Pyrate Punx presents Potbelly, Bleach Party USA, Sucker for the Sour and Whiskey Drunk at the Spark Project Collective.

“When you don’t pick up the phone I make up what you said.”
Bellows is the imaginative bedroom recording project of NYC songwriter/producer Oliver Kalb at Club Congress. He plays with ambient experimentalist Gabrielle Smith aka Gabby’s World and Friend PR.

Outer Spaces is the indie rock project of Baltimore songwriter Cara Beth Satalino. Their latest, Gazing Globe, was written during a tumultuous period where Satalino grappled with anxiety and self-doubt. Like a gazing globe—for centuries believed to ward off evil and bring good luck—it may never provide a clear mirror image. If you gaze into its murky reflection long enough you might glimpse at your true self. They play with Radiator Hospital, Jess Matsen and Rough Draft at Wooden Tooth Records.

This summer, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) has experienced an increase in the number of pets coming into the shelter. Right now HSSA has over 150 cats that are waiting for their forever families.

“We have had to add kennels to our cat adoptions area, place multiple cats in each kennel, turn our spacious catios into additional kennel rooms, move cats into our meet and greet rooms and add additional kennels into our Welcome Center. We are running out of places to put them! If you’re interested in adding a cat to your home now is the time! We have every personality, color, and age. They are just waiting for you,” said Morgan Treiber, HSSA’s Adoption Supervisor.

As part of HSSA’s 75th Anniversary Celebration all cat adoptions for cats over 6 months of age are 75% off through Thursday, August 1. If you’re interested in a kitten, don’t worry there are plenty! Kittens will be eligible for the 75% OFF adoption fee discount through Sunday, July 21.

For more information on cats that are waiting for their forever families visit HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. or PAWSH Park Place at 5870 E. Broadway Blvd. You can also give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173.