Tucson Weekly: Soundbites (May 13

Sound Bites OUT OF LIMBO: Just when you thought the local airwaves were safe...
While the Federal Communications Commission continues to consider proposals to make community-operated micro-power radio stations perfectly legal, the renegades at Radio Limbo have once again taken it upon themselves to cut through the red tape and provide the most diverse and unique sounds to be found on the local dial. In the immortal words of the Ramones, "We want the airwaves, baby. Right now!"
The free-form station, found at 103.3 FM, has been, um, in limbo since late last October when the FCC discovered and confiscated its transmitter. But the station's organizers showed signs of life in mid-December when a Radio Limbo benefit concert, featuring such local heavyweights as Calexico, Al Perry, the Amor Belhom Duo and Splendida, hit the stage of the Mat Bevel Institute to kick-start a fund to replace the transmitter. The show was such a success that the entire budget was met in that single night.
The past several months have been spent in an attempt to figure out how to get the station back up and running, without the FCC's intervention. Apparently they were successful: by the time you read this, Radio Limbo should be approaching its former on-air glory. While its power has been cut back considerably (your car radio probably won't stop on its frequency during an auto-search), you shouldn't have any trouble pulling it in once you find it. And, at least for now, its hours have been cut back to 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily.
But hey, it's still free and it's still the best damn station the local airwaves have to offer. While most of the Limbo DJs you've come to know and love will be back, it may take some patience to find out when their time slots are, as the schedule is still being shuffled. Join me in tipping your hats to Limbo's patience, persistence and commitment (this is an all-volunteer enterprise) so that we can all sit back and enjoy their efforts at the flip of a switch.
CORN-FED RAWK: Quick! Name the best rock-and-roll band from Iowa. Stumped? That's a shame, because the correct answer is Cedar Falls' House of Large Sizes, which has been churning out album after kick-ass album and criss-crossing the country more times than an ancient migrating bird for almost 15 years now. Beginning their recording career on Tucson's own Toxic Shock Records (now Westworld), and following a one-off stint on Columbia/Sony, the band now resides on Boulder, Colorado's What Are Records? That's where you'll find their last commercially available LP, Glass Cockpit (1997), their fifth overall.
In addition, the band rewarded its die-hard fans with a fan-club only release, appropriately titled Not For Sale. The deal is this: fans collect limited-edition stickers from live shows, the HOLS website (hols@war.com), and the band's catalogue. When they've completed the collection, the devout are entitled to a free copy of the disc, which includes unreleased songs and band members' solo experiments. An internet poll determined which songs made the final cut.
The power trio (and I do mean power) is comprised of vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Dave Deibler, his wife Barb Schlif on bass and vocals, and newcomer drummer Brent Hanson. The band combines the crunchy guitar riffs of AC/DC, the high-pitched vocal whooping of Jane's Addiction, undeniable pop hooks, and a quirky sense of humor for a sound that's uniquely HOLS.
In a live setting, they really shine, with Deibler prowling the stage like a caged animal and Schlif bouncing up and down so consistently hard that her long hair obscures her entire face, save for a huge shit-eating grin.
Don't miss this sorely underappreciated band when they take the stage at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., on Friday, May 14. Ultrathin opens the show at 9 p.m., followed by Panic Over Trainwreck. Cover is $4. Call 622-8848 for more information.
HAMMERED HOME: Though they hail from Phoenix, the Hammertoes probably have more in common with the Tucson music scene than that of the Valley of the Sun. While most bands from our northern neighbors play it fairly safe, Tucson can only be pigeonholed by its sheer eclecticism.
Thus the Hammertoes' lounge-jazz-meets-world-beat sound, considered a musical misfit in their hometown, is right at home on our musical landscape. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Tucson-based Tortuga Records has just issued the band's new album, I Too Have Sinned, a stunning document of the gypsy-jazz the band has perfected over the last couple of years.
Somewhat similar in approach to like-minded locals Molehill, the band differs in that it incorporates bossa nova, flamenco and other world music traditions into its heady brew. Not to mention the horns, and vocals courtesy of one Casey Wade, whose throaty rasp recalls the dark-hued essence of Tom Waits or Shane MacGowan.
If there's a cocktail lounge in hell, the Hammertoes would be the house band. As good as the new disc is--and it is good--these guys are best experienced live. Welcome them to their home away from home at the CD release party starting around 9 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at 7 Black Cats, 260 E. Congress St. Call 670-9202 for details.
BAND WAGON: Straight from San Pedro, California, F.Y.P. plays '80s-style punk rock the way God intended--bratty, childish, and above all, fun. The band records for Recess Records--the folks who brought you the Dwarves, if that's any indication of their bent.
This week F.Y.P. teams up with Cleveland's Beatnik Termites and Tucson's Weird Lovemakers and Santos Says for an all-ages show at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at the City Players Theater, 439 N. Sixth Ave. (right across the street from the Velvet Tea Garden). Cover charge is five bucks.
Been wondering what ever happened to brainy rockers Tesla? Okay, I haven't either. But I know a lot of people who have, and they'll get their answer this week when Sofa King rolls into town. Former Tesla vocalist and guitarist, Jeff Keith and Tommy Skeoch, join Denis Bostock and Steve Smith (formerly of Flame) and guitarist Ray Hinkley to make up this whole new band (though rumor has it they offer a few Tesla numbers in their live show).
Check out what the boys have been up to Saturday, May 15, on the Rialto Theatre stage, 318 E. Congress St. This 21-and-over show gets underway at 9 p.m. with Dumpster Boy and Shell. Tickets are $12, available in advance at CD Depot, Strictly CDs, Zip's University and Guitars, Etc. Call 740-0126 for additional info.
Country favorite Collin Raye rings in the grand opening of the Arizona Sunset Pavilion, a new outdoor venue located at the New West/Gotham/Hooters entertainment multiplex on West Ina Road.
Raye has scored 17 consecutive Top-10 hits (12 of them at No. 1) in his five years as an Epic Nashville recording artist. His newest release, the acclaimed The Walls Came Down, is the first of his albums to feature self-penned songs. Check out Raye's all-ages performance on Friday, May 14. Doors open at 5 p.m., and advance tickets are $15, available at Dillard's, Cowtown Boots, Corral Western Wear, Zip's University, The New West, or by phone at 1-800-638-4253. They'll cost $20 at the door. Lawn chairs are permitted. The New West is located at 4385 W. Ina Road. Call 744-7744 for details.
Finally this week, local composer and percussionist Todd Hammes presents a "mostly improvisational acoustic concert" as part of the Todd Hammes and Friends Concert Series, a progression from the 1995 Percussion Plus series. This time around, Hammes will be joined by Brazilian guitarist Alieksey Vianna, saxophonist Jeremy Patfield, guitarist Matt Mitchell and drummer Aaron Bonsall. The show promises to be "a subtle and exhilarating blend of jazz, classical and world music," performed by some of Tucson's most amazing instrumentalists. Catch them at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 17, at the Mat Bevel Institute, 530 N. Stone Ave. Tickets are $5, available at the door only.

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