Tucson Weekly: Soundbites (May 7

Sound Bites COCK SIGHTING: Anyone who has paid even the slightest attention to Cliff Taylor's various projects and incarnations in recent years knows that "a flair for the dramatic" doesn't begin to describe his knack for the craft of performance. As Chick Cashman, we saw him transform from a band leader in a bolo and 10-gallon hat to the queen of camp: host, stage manager, master of surprise and femme fatale in wigs, in drag, svelte and sexy in feathered lingerie--and at times as close to bare-assed naked as the law will allow. We know he has great calves and a Madame's panache, calling on decades of trans-gender, avant garde rock with a suggestive of shake in his slender hips. He also kicks some serious ass as a guitarist.
Taylor's newest enterprise, The Cocksmen, signals a swing away from the bordello cabaret flavor of his Wednesday night specials fronting the Countrypolitans in favor of vamped and amped rock and roll served with a flourish. Make no mistake, though: The retirement of Chick's blonde wig is in no way an indication that he plans to play it straight.
The new production bears the indelible stamp of perfectionism and aesthetic attention to "the experience" that Tucson has come to expect from Taylor. And the Cocksmen are less an eclectic collection of hired guns and more a convergence of like-minded talent corrupted by the guidance of Taylor's twisted, creative vision.
The Cocksmen are: drummer Lucas Mosely, also of Duarte Six and The Pork Torta; guitarist Saylor Breckenridge, who is one third of the T.O.P. Set; the recently added Scott Benzel, formerly of the Machines of Loving Grace, on keyboards and samples; and the inimitable Taylor.
As with Taylor's other projects, the point is pushing the envelope from all directions. It's about sensual, smart entertainment that's dressed to kill. In a musical environment such as Tucson's, where many bands are often overzealous about their "art" to the detriment of artistry, The Cocksmen are "finally a band that isn't concerned with the music." It's a show.
Don't get the wrong idea, though. The Cocksmen are not all floss and lip gloss. Recordings are in the works for this summer, and there are tentative plans for regional tours, as well as talk of a trip to France with some help from visiting Frenchmen The Little Rabbits.
Despite the naysayers who, to quote an old Bowie song, might claim the "same old thing in a brand new drag," The Cocksmen are more than just another piece of post-teenage wildlife. They promise a swirling miasma sensual delights--a total rock and roll experience. Expect the unexpected, complete with unannounced special guests and visuals by P.O.T.
Join the Cocksmen for their third live appearance in as many months at the Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., on Friday, May 8. The bill also features Loaded Hotel, the debut of a chick band (rumored to be excellent) called The BLT's, and The Cheapshots, a new trio featuring some familiar faces from The Fells and The Weird Lovemakers. Cover is $4 at the door. Call 622-8848 for information.
SYNCHRONICITY: Perhaps it's something in the stars, but May 8 offers more in the way of entertainment than Tucson usually sees in a month of Fridays. Here's the lowdown on some of the tougher choices on the slate as well as a few funky alternatives:
SUBLIME RESURRECTION: This month marks the two-year anniversary of Sublime frontman Brad Nowell's death from an overdose of heroin, yet the band plays on. Composed of the remaining members of Sublime--drummer Bud Gaugh and bassist Eric Wilson, along with, DJ/percussionist "Field" Marshall Goodman, Opie Ortiz providing vocals, cover art and skin ink, keyboardist Jack Maness, guitarist Ras 1, and Todd Foreman and Tim Wu on Saxophones--The Long Beach Dub All-Stars rises from Sublime's ashes with recent gigs supporting Primus on the Sno-Core Tour, and strings of current national and international dates. The band is on the road with fellow Skunk Records artists Fillibuster, Ziggens and Slightly Stupid. The all-ages show is at 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, at The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave. Tickets are $17 in advance, available at all Dillard's locations. Call 629-9211 for information.
PERFECT HARMONY: Tucson natives Sisters Morales--Lisa and Roberta--return to the Old Pueblo to celebrate the release of Ain't No Perfect Diamond, with special guests Latin Tradition and Latino Solido at 8 p.m. Friday, May 8, at The Rialto Theater, 318 E. Congress St. Currently residing in Houston, the sisters have merged their talents for the past nine years spicing county rock with Latin and folk flavors. Ain't No Perfect Diamond, the duo's self-produced, full-length effort released by Luna Records in the fall of last year, is their first to find its way to the shelves--they were signed to RCA in '95 and recorded two album's worth of material that the label never put out. Tickets are $6 in advance, available at Hear's Music, Yoly's Music Shops and KXCI, and $8 at the door. Call 623-1000 for tickets and information.
GET YOUR KICKS: Rock and roll is not dead: it's James Dead, with Helldriver, at 9 p.m. Friday, May 8, at Route 66, 3146 E. Grant Road. A relatively new venue, Route 66 is quickly establishing a reputation for bands that pack a punch, and this double bill is guaranteed to knock you on your ass. Call 318-4767 for information.
Blues legend Chico Chism appears at the Boondocks Lounge, 3306 N. First Ave., at 9 p.m. Friday, May 8. Tickets are $4 in advance, $5 at the door. Call 690-0991 for information.
NOT ON FRIDAY: Tucson Musicians Network Presents "Funk Fest '98" featuring several TAMMIES winners, including best funk, best pop, and the '98 Tucson Band of the year: Funky Bonz, the Annie Hawkins Band, The Funkyard Gang, and the Crawdaddy-O Brass Band. All ages can get funky at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at The Rialto Theater. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Call 792-4328 for information.
Monsoon Madness sets in again, with shows from 7 to 10 p.m. every Thursday through the hot season at Winsett Park, located in the 300 block of North Fourth Avenue. The outdoor music showcase inaugurates its third season with a performance by Fez on May 7. Mardi Garcia performs on May 14. The calendar is booked through May, but bands interested in performing should address a tape and contact information addressed to Kini Wade at the FAMA office, 329 E. Seventh St., Tucson, AZ 85705. No phone calls, please.
Check out some ballistic all-ages punk rock with San Francisco's The Bar Feeders, supporting their recent Dill Records release, Scotto El Blotto, along with The Readymen, Los Federales and Suicide Lane at 8 p.m. Monday, May 11, at Skrappys, 3306 N. Oracle Road. Call 408-9466 for information.

--Lisa Weeks

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