Tucson Weekly: Soundbites (May 14

Sound Bites HAPPY BERK-DAY: In a town where few bars survive infancy, Berky's Bar has grown to adolescence at 5769 E. Speedway, fostering live music nightly for 13 of the past 15 years. Berky bought the bar in 1983, figuring he'd only be in the bar biz for two to three years, tops. At that point Berky's was called The Sidewinder, and the clientele was primarily a harder core of bikers (which resulted in Berky's ban on club colors); there was no live music, and folks came to sample the kitchen's home-cooked Mexican food, which was legendary along the Speedway strip.
Berky brought in live music three years later in the form of the Blue Lizards, all but one member of which still perform together regularly at Berky's under the moniker Goodfoot. Berky attributes the bar's longevity in part to the popularity of the Blue Lizards in the '80s. He discovered the band at a dive on First Avenue, and coaxed them into playing his place. The trend was set and he's been in the music business ever since.
Berky's on Fourth Avenue closed its doors last year, due to dwindling numbers and trouble matching the bar's theme to its location. The Speedway location has never suffered any such conflict. According to its owner, the Berky's Bar mission is to maintain "a nice place to stop off for dancing and fun."
Berky, who has recently expanded into the realm of mortgage refinancing, characterizes his old bar as "always an eclectic kind of place, where you get a little bit of everything...doctors, lawyers, laborers, bikers, teachers." Berky's draws people from all corners, luring them with no cover five nights each week and a regular schedule of some of Tucson's most-booked, tried-and-true talent.
When he first bought the bar, a wizened old friend warned him about the hassle of housing bands. "Don't ever get involved in live music," he said. "It'll kill you! You won't want to deal with the personalities. It's a nightmare!" Berky decided to ignore that advice when he saw how well live music drew 'em in at the Chicago Bar down the street.
Through the years, the two bars have more or less maintained separate rosters and something of a friendly rivalry--frequently one hires a band away from the other. The Rowdies, now Berky's regulars, are a recent example. As Berky is often heard to say, "It's just business."
And speaking of business, in celebration of its 15th anniversary, Berky's has planned three nights of specials, surprises and music by some familiar faces: Tony & the Torpedoes with Anna Warr on Thursday, May 14; Goodfoot on Friday, May 15; and Bad Newz Blues Band on Saturday, May 16.
A big "Happy Birthday" to the "inner-city roadhouse tavern," Berky's Bar. Call 296-1981 for information.
SXIP-IPHANY: Christine's Motion Picture, 187 N Park Ave., recently opened its doors to live music, featuring performance artist/musician SXIP Shirey with guest opener, the stunningly talented Clifford Kuhn, last Thursday, May 7. The combination movie house/boutique/java joint/bar has opted to add "music venue" to the already lengthy list. Although limited in capacity, Christine's is a chic, salon-style performance space elegantly suited to acoustic soloists and small ensembles, as well as performance art, readings and spoken word.
Michelle Hotchkiss, co-creator of the magic we all miss from The Airport Lounge, rustled up Austin performance artist/poet/musician SXIP Shirey for last Thursday's show. To be honest, SXIP wasn't in my vocabulary before the show, so I had little idea what I was to encounter. He creates enveloping cinematic soundscapes that evoke visions of avant-garde gothic film. His songs are lyrical even in the absence of lyrics. His performance is musical in a sense that's organic and ethnic, ethereal without sounding New Agey. He blends borrowed musical traditions in much the same manner as Dead Can Dance, although without their reverence for this history of what's borrowed.
SXIP's style is more pell-mell--he lifts a phrase here, a rhythm there, a technique, and unifies them into the theme for each song. Themes range from his grandmother's belly to the fantastic story of a dreamy boy who uses his phosphorescent index finger to illuminate the land. He's versatile, using pre-recorded material, reciting spoken word, rapping, riding on loops, customizing distortion and reverb to magnify and contort the shrill of his double fifes, the hollow rasp of his flute, percussion hammered on the body of his acoustic guitar, chords "made pretty" by ridged paper clips. On the flute, double pennywhistle and harmonica, SXIP manipulates his breath, creating fractals of sound that echo aboriginal winds and whale songs. The sexual and sensual are constant points of reference.
SXIP is a bard, a poet, an amateur philosopher and a unique performer. He's currently in Tucson collaborating on a film project, so we may be treated to another such performance in the coming weeks. We'll keep you posted. Christine's has plans to add live music as a regular feature, so get an eye on the Club Listings for future events, or call 740-1493 for current information.
LIMBO GROWS: Fans of local subversive radio station Radio Limbo, 103.3 FM, will be pleased to know the crackle of radio silence earlier this month was not a sign of the station's end times. Limbo's signal went down to facilitate some mechanical tinkering. The result is a new and improved signal that reaches across the Tucson valley, reportedly audible as far south as Ajo Way. Unfortunately, the relaxing sounds of MUZAK that filled the station's down time were the price we had to pay. Programming usually begins at 4 a.m. on weekdays, and by noon on weekends--although static interuptus may occur at any time due to empty slots. Should you tune-in to static, keep trying. For all you folks out on the eastside, if there are any, exercise your support of free speech and tune in. We're talking quality, my friends.
LAST NOTES: And a few finer options: Seattle's own Bell performs material from their new release, Perfect Math, with special guests at 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Skrappy's, 3710 N. Oracle Road. Call 408-9466 for information.
And a little later, check out Clovenhoof with Al Foul and his formidable Shakes at 9 p.m. Friday, May 15, at the Nimbus Brewery, 3850 E. 44th St. Call 745-9175 for information.
Now under new ownership, the Double Zero, 121 E. Congress St., finds its stride at 10 p.m. Saturday, May 16, with 101 and Gradevole. Call 670-9332 for information.
CORRECTION: Last weeks Soundbites preview of the Cocksmen contained an error: Scott Benzel is not a former member of Loving Grace, but a current one. He and the band are presently in the studio working on new material.

--Lisa Weeks

Home | Currents | City Week | Music | Review | Books | Cinema | Back Page | Archives