Thursday, July 25, 2019
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.
Tags: music , xoxo , shows , concerts , rock , Americana , Styx , metal , house , djs , Image
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
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.
Tags: XOXO , music , concerts , shows , Shane Smith , Arizona Friends of Chamber Music , Bin Hu , The Appice Brothers , Image
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
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.
Tags: Xoxo , music , concerts , Bellows , outer spaces , Club Congress , Wooden Tooth , Spark project collective , Image
Monday, July 22, 2019
Check out Taco Sauce tonight at Club Congress.
1. How's the tour going?
Isabella: So, a few weekends ago we went on the first leg of our mini tour in Las Cruces and El Paso and it was dope! We brought our friend Jenn and she pretty much acted as our photographer and tour manager and the four of us had a ton of fun.
Gabi: Yeah those first few tour dates gave us an idea of how people would react to us outside of Tucson and it was all very positive.
Maya: Loved the food and scenery. Had my first margarita at La Posts in Las Cruces.
2. Where have you been so far on the tour and where are you guys headed?
Gabi: We went to Las Cruces New Mexico (my hometown) and El Paso then we have a few Tucson dates, Phoenix on July 19 and Albuquerque on July 20.
3. What's been your favorite place to perform so far during the tour?
Gabi: We only did two so far since it's a mini tour but Little Toad in Las Cruces and Monarch in El Paso were both very hospitable with a pretty solid crowd who were happy to see us.
4. What's it's been like to go on tour with Seanloui and Maya from YUM?
Isabella: Seanloui is only on the Owls Club date but we play shows with him all the time because he's my best friend and we're very supportive of each other. Maya is a great travel companion. She's very levelheaded and brings a lot of calm to the group.
Gabi: Maya is pretty much our rock already. She's so in tune with us on stage and in day to day life. And she's hilarious and badass so it's an honor.
5. How do you want audience members to feel after attending one of the shows?
Isabella: Energized, like they can fuck shit up and take on the world and catcallers and say fuck you to anyone you want to say fuck you to.
Maya: I want them to be in awe and to have had a good time but I don't want them to walk away feeling nothing. As long as it evokes a reaction I'm happy.
Gabi: Yeah I just want to get a reaction. I'd be just as thrilled to see people wanna fight me after hearing my lyrics, especially because a lot of our music targets misogynists and racists, but mainly I'm so excited to see how our music just gets people pumped and makes women feel empowered and validated.
6. What are some upcoming projects you're working on?
Gabi: We're in the studio with Ty Engle working on some new singles currently and also writing new songs, a few of which we're playing at tges6e upcoming shows. I'm also trying to finish scoring the short movie La Motochorra for one of my best friends so I'm very excited/exhausted right now.
Tags: Taco Sauce , bands , tours , music , women , artists , culture , Image
Friday, July 19, 2019
Friday, July 19
In July 2017, Chester Bennington, vocalist for Linkin Park and a father of six who had battled depression for years, was found dead in his Southern California home. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging. Lethal Injektion, Outsiders, Dirty Magic, Within A Dream and The Diversion Program front the Second Annual Chester Bennington Tribute at The Rock. Former Linkin Park bassist Scott Koziol is scheduled to perform and DJ Bea7s will fill in the spaces with sounds. All proceeds will benefit mental health and awareness programs. Details here.
Tipping a Kangol bucket hat in homage, Club ’90s presents the Stranger Things ’80s Dance Party. DJ Jeffrey spins all the monster jams from the decade that brought us the side ponytail and parachute pants at the Rialto Theatre tonight.
Hailing from “The Land of Enchantment,” death metal act Dysphotic travel “Away From the Light” deep into “The Formless Void" tonight at Ward6, bolstered by locals Death Church, Guardians, Single Finger Theory and Despair. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Details here.
Epic space rockers duo Silver Cloud Express perform an early show at Crave Coffee Bar with special guests Jillian & The Giants. The show starts at 7 p.m. Details here.
Like jazz? Head east. Comprised of pianist Keaton Wilson and double bassist Charlie Welty, featuring percussionist Gil Rodriguez, The Welty-Wilson Trio perform original modern jazz compositions and selections from the New American songbook at Three Canyon Beer and Wine Garden at 7 p.m. Details here.
Like a mirage, this guitarist/oud player's experimental folk compositions mirror his Joshua Tree, California desert surroundings where you can find beauty in a sun-ravaged environment. Derek Monypeny & Michael Henderson communicate a lot with few words at Solar Culture Gallery starting at 8 p.m. Details here.
Phoenix slackers Nanami Ozone demonstrate “The Art of Sleeping In” at Club Congress along with DIY callejeros Lenguas Largas, shoegazers Mute Swan and Texans Soft Sweater. The starts at 8 p.m. Details here.
Tracing back the roots of country music from the verdant trails of Appalachia to the gritty streets of Bakersfield, Freddy Parish hosts Dry ’n’ Dusty at Exo Roast Co. Doors open at 7 p.m. Details here.
In the spirit of plunging pastel V-necks, double-breasted suits with rolled sleeves and loafers (as worn by stylish detectives Crockett and Tubbs), DJ NoirTech presides over the Miami Vice ’80s Dance Party at the Surly Wench Pub. Details here.
Slackerdom as defined by Phoenix nerdcore outfit Snailmate is “All I look forward to is chilling out/All of my memories center around how much I enjoy becoming one with the couch.” The group sets the bar at Brodie’s tavern with Gila Byte and Los Diablos Gordos at 9 p.m.
Two members of Funky Bonz, local guitar legend Doug “Hurricane” Floyd and Thomas “TK” Kennedy, celebrate their 50th birthdays at Sky Bar with Latin fusionists Santa Pachita passing around the holy hip flask. Details here. The show starts at 9 p.m.
Performing a soulful union of acoustic Música desde el Corazón, FebboFuentes entertain at The Dusty Monk Pub at 9 p.m. Details here.
In the twilight, as part of the Friday Night Live Free Concert Series, whet your appetite with the aromas and sounds of The French Quarter. The Muffulettas dish up some tunes at Gentle Ben’s starting at 7:30 p.m. Details here.
Saturday, July 20
A cannonade of distorted guitars plays perfect foil to naiveté. “Attention Seeker” Lydia Night reminds you to “Feel Your Feelings Fool!” Night is unafraid to express hers.
“I don’t give a fuck if someone doesn’t like what I have to say. No matter what, if people can relate to the music then it’s worth it. That’s what is cool for me.”
Teen pop-punks The Regrettes “Stop and Go” at 191 Toole flanked by the surfer pop meets post-punk of Hot Flash Heat Wave and The Great Citizens. The doors open at 7 p.m. Details here.
With rippling waves of reverb-drenched guitar, the kind that bites with a certain seaside twang, Shrimp Chaperone are providing the musical background for Día De Las Luchas. Oh, yeah, and there’s a bunch of luchadores too (schedule to be announced) at The Rialto Theater. Doors open at 7 p.m. Details here.
Be sure to wear your Sunday best because Church Pants, Harvey on Broadway, Wrought Iron and Duo and the Why Nots are rocking a Veterans Benefit Show at Irene’s Holy Donuts.Details here.
It’s a summertime house party! BAHA Fest 2 mashes up out-of-towners and local talent alike. With sets by Asa Martin (New Mexico), Mary Wander (Maryland), Gutless (Florida) and Tucson’s Logan Green, Paloma Colacion, The Rifle and Dr. Soap y mas it will be a big party. The show starts at 5:30 p.m. at Baja Audio Heads Association. Details here.
“Hey, Look at Me" musicians from San Pedro, California, rock/folk/punks Jason Paul & the Know It Alls “Eat Humble Pie at Wooden Tooth Records. Feverfew add a dose of reverb-tinged anxiety. The show starts at 8 p.m. Details here.
Hard rockers Beyond the Firewall, Noise Field and Junk James are at Sky Bar at 9 p.m. Details here.
Featuring two-time Grammy nominee pianist/ composer Enrique “Hank” Feldman, Acerekó performs Afro-Cuban/jazz/pop at Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. Rumor has that a mysterious guest violinist will sit it. The show starts at 6 p.m. Details here.
Looking for something interactive? Harness the power of your voice and connect to a higher frequency. Sanskrit Chanting to Heal Yourself introduces group chanting. The event promises to uplift physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually at Solar Culture Gallery at 4 p.m. Details here.
“Aim For The Head" with The Gunrunners as they fire a six-string salvo at Saint Charles Tavern with special guest Silent Movie Actress.
Be prepared to dance with abandon. Connie Brannock’s Little House of Funk play “Sonoran Soul” music at Monterey Court at 7 p.m. Details here.
Originating in the Mexican state of Veracruz, this regional folk music fuses indigenous, Spanish and African elements dating back to colonial times. Comprised of intergenerational students, Son Jarocho Collective keep the tradition alive at Exo Roast Co starting at 8 p.m. Details here.
The Peter Ronstadt Duo chill poolside at Hotel McCoy at 8 p.m. Details here.
Club Sanctuary proclaims “It’s a Goth summer.” Resident DJs Plastic Disease and Black Flagg spin Industrial/EBM/ Electro at the Surly Wench Pub at 9 p.m. Details here.
Love. Respect. Rastafari. With music by Twelve Tribes, Young Generation, Naajee Fyah, Chosen Few, One Heartbeat and more. It’s Rasta Family Funday at Fort Lowell Park, Ramada No. 2 starting at noon. Details here.
Sunday, July 22
Sophisticated urban hillbillies, The Determined Luddites share the Brandy of the Damned at Public Brewhouse with guest singer-songwriter Dal Hodges, starting at 5 p.m. Details here.
Like a tropical storm, Just Najima makes landfall. Sheets of Southwestern Gothic soul come pouring down on the patio at Che’s Lounge. Dream popper Mattea invokes spirits. The show starts at 7 p.m. Details here.
Tags: music , show , shows , live music , live show , live shows , concert , concerts , Image
Thursday, July 18, 2019
A perfect trifecta; the downtrodden, Black Cat Bones strew their “Dead Broke Blues” at Sky Bar starting around 9:30 p.m. They will play along with blues rockers Caleb’s Spirit and—recently furloughed from the “Pima County Jail” while his “suite” is revamped—bluesman Austin Counts. Details here.
From Pennsylvania, straight edge punks One Step Closer join forces with hardcorists Anxious (Boston), Construct (Phoenix), Head to Wall (emo/punk from California) and hardcore punks End on End (Oklahoma City) in a mash-up. The show starts at 6 p.m. at Ward6. Details here.
One of Arizona’s best wedding bands, The Lucky Devils crash the party and ignite the dance floor at Club Congress at 7 p.m. Details here.
Backed by a classic jazz ensemble, Parisian guitarist Gabriel Naim Amor performs a mix of standards, French classics and original compositions at the Lookout Bar & Grille at Westward Look Resort at 5 p.m. Details here.
Lastly, Seanloui presents his latest single “Bad Things,” and other Europop/R&B ear candy at Owls Club accompanied by the ever piquant, brujeria- powered garage rock of Taco Sauce. The 21 and up show starts at 8 p.m. Details here.
Tags: live , music , show , shows , live music , live show , live shows , Image
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
It might seems strange that the Flandrau Planetarium would be hosting a Stranger Things show, but laser shows have been popularly shown in planetariums since the 70s, frequented by psych and prog rock fans. A laser show is then well-paired with the retro stylings of Stranger Things.
Lay back in the reclining seats to become part of an immersive laser show experience, surrounded by colorful lights and hypnotic sound. Maybe they'll even play "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by the Clash.
Tags: Stranger Things , laser show , Flandrau Planetarium , events , fun , shows , Image
Come see the motley crew that oversee this zydeco-tinged, accordion-fueled Tex-Mexican bacchanal on occasion splinter-o . The Carnivaleros Trio are at Public Brewhouse tonight starting at 7 p.m. Details here.
Travel “Past the Guards of the Mausoleum” with Los Angeles, alt-rock/ synth-poppers Part Time while they share their “Visions of the Future" at Club Congress tonight. They will perform along with “The King Of Endicott” experimental/performance artist Gary Wilson starting at 7 p.m. Details here.
“Pisces poppers” Mesquite, indie/ambient trio Moontrax and singer-songwriter Chelsea Trejo converge at Wooden Tooth Records at 7:30 p.m. Details here.
Tags: live , music , show , shows , live music , live show , live shows , Image
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Fast forward and now, despite guitarist Dan Clermont’s recent hiatus from the band following allegations of sexual assault, the symphonic rockers Set It Off dance the “Lonely Dance” at 191 Toole this Tuesday. They are flanked by post-hardcore four-piece Emarosa and pop punks Broadside. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Details here.
Singer-songwriter Steff Koeppen has a “Way With Words.” Her chill, electro pop provides the musical soundtrack for the Go For Launch Party: A celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon at Sky Bar. The event is put on in collaboration with Novaspace, Spacefest and the University of Arizona Moonfest. The space-themed fun starts at 6 p.m. Details here.
The sulfuric vapors will seep up through the crevices from the underworld at Club Congress for a night filled with metal. Hailing from the Black Hills of South Dakota, Souls with perform along with Arm’s Reach, Hellhook, Realize and Slow Descent starting at 7 p.m. Details here.
Traveling from the Lone Star State, Punk With A Camera and Sad2 lock horns with locals Bleach Party USA, Pretty Ugly and Gutter Town for an all-ages diversion. Or is it subversion? The doors open at 7:30 p.m. at Blacklidge Community Collective. Details here.
Tags: live , music , show , live music , live show , live shows , Image
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
The saga continues: “When we got there, Winston [Watson], the smallest kid in the band, pulled out this authentic looking BB gun pistol and ran out the door screaming bloody murder. Out on the street he took this hilarious cop stance with legs apart and pointed the toy gun, his elbows straight, at those rednecks in the pickup. They freaked and ducked and skidded the hell out of there.”
This and so many incidents similar served as inspiration for “Open the Door." A song recorded 36 years ago—now enjoying an uncanny resurgence after finding placement on the season premiere of Netflix’s Stranger Things, starring Winona Ryder and David Harbour. And this season is red-hot. The third installment of the nostalgic horror series is the new Netflix four-day streaming champion; 40.7 million households watched over the long Fourth of July weekend.
Truth being stranger than fiction. Who would’ve ever imagined?
Gentlemen Afterdark—this arresting combination of New York Dolls glam/punk, ‘80s New Romanticism and the trash and grit scrapped from the sidewalks—were led by singer Brian, his brother Barry Smith on keyboards and violin, guitarist Robin Johnson, bassist Fred Cross and Winston Watson behind the drum kit.
Dancing on the crumbling precipice of fame, in 1984 they were vaunted by People magazine as “Stars of the Future.” The piece included a quote by rock legend Alice Cooper, a mentor who had taken the Gents under his wing.
“They reminded me of when I was young.” Cooper quipped, “I told them to have my daughter back by 7:30 p.m.”
In spite of such accolades Gentlemen Afterdark struggled to safely traverse the intersection where art and commerce converged.
Produced by Cooper and Dick Wagner, “Open the Door,” written by Robin and Brian, is from their 1983 EP. Originally self-released on vinyl, recorded at Vintage Recorders (Phoenix) in sessions which Barry Smith describes as being tense:
“[We were] young and hungry—pop music was exploding in all directions: Rap, post-punk, new wave. New sounds and energy were badly needed. But tension came from musical culture clashes. They wanted us to go with a safe sound of much of the pop music back then.”
Low on self-confidence, a shaky-voiced Brian found himself facing his musical idol through the studio glass, toiling to lay down the vocal track.
A now-sober Brian says, “My voice sounded so constricted here. I was so fucking terrified because, well, that was Alice Cooper. And Dick Wagner, who played guitar with Lou Reed. Those guys wrote 'Only Women Bleed' together. But my band was amazing, they were so young and gifted."
But what does this triumph mean to you now? “It’s very cool,” Barry says. “It comes at a perfect time...Gives a certain spiritual boost to my confidence.” Kid brother Brian says, “It is hard to get my head around the idea of that terrified voice now soundtracking a Winona Ryder scene in an episode of one of the most popular TV shows on earth. But I am really grateful for the song placement. There is something about this song, this sound of kids trying to find a sound. That struggle sounds pretty damn interesting now."
Tags: Gentlemen Afterdark , Brian Smith , Barry Smith , Robin Johnson , Winston Watson , Fred Cross , Stranger Things , Netflix , Alice Cooper , Dick Wagner , XOXO , Image
