Tucson Weekly: Sooo Many Bands... (June 12

Sound Bites LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS: Rather than focusing on a particular show or performer in from out of town, I thought I'd spread the damage along the local scene and briefly highlight several deserving local bands with shows scheduled for the stellar week ahead--a series of talent well worth the effort of tearing yourself out from under the ceiling fan to check out, if you haven't already.
Naked Prey with Hillbilly Soulsurfer and James Dead--an outstanding triple bill of two local bands bookending an L.A. band whose name says it all. This show promises a loud, rowdy crowd, getting underway at 9:30 p.m. lucky Friday, June 13, at the Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Cover is $5 at the door. Call 622-8848 for more information.
The most compelling show of the week--The Fells, The Swede and Twine, scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at The Airport Lounge, 20 E. Pennington St.--has been cancelled. There is no word yet regarding an alternative line-up, but you can call 882-0400 for more information.
For those with a subtler desire on a Saturday night, perhaps one that includes cognac and fine cigars, Phonoroyale delivers their sultry lounge sounds for pleasure in repose, starting at 9 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Cottonwood Club, 60 N. Alvernon Way. Call 326-6000 for more information.
Smash your head against this punk rock: Mondoguano teams up with Pork Torta--what will they be wearing?--for a double-header on Sunday, June 15, at the Club Congress. The fireworks start around 10 p.m. and you can bet it'll be packed. Sundays at the Congress have been busy of late, building a great buzz and drawing solid crowds for local bands--Al Foul and the Shakes, in true form, rocked the house last Sunday to a sizable crowd.
Lastly, Pagan Holiday with Flavor Cage and Meg Cavendish, brought to you free-of-charge by Lethal Entertainment, heat up the cool of the evening from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19, on Fourth Avenue's Winsett Park Stage.
DOUBLE TAKES: The newly opened multi-arts space, Theater Congress, 125 E. Congress St., is a valuable addition to Tucson's underground scene. Although fairly small, the theatre's black walls, starkly colorful lighting, theatre seating and floor-level stage combine to create a spare, intimate space worthy of any emerging band. Such a set-up could be fairly intimidating to performers, but that wasn't the case with last Wednesday's super triple-bill featuring the Silver Apples, Alison's Halo, and Wise Folk Malcontent. First up, the Wise Folk trio rendered a musically powerful, emotionally charged, Superchunk-esque performance that contrasted beautifully with the brooding austerity of the theatre, completely outclassing their more sedate set opening for Varnaline a few weeks back. Don't miss their upcoming show at the Theater Congress with Papas Fritas and Sugar Plastic on Monday, July 7.
Stealing the middle ground, Alison's Halo proved themselves the high point of interest for the evening--most of the audience bolted out the door shortly following their effulgent, charismatic performance. The Silver Apples, although bubbling with talent--the strength and duration of the percussion was most impressive--were ultimately of more historic interest than anything else, somewhat outdone by the tight, bright pop performances of the opening acts. Sadly, the electronic experimental extravaganza fell short of the mark, at least by today's standards, and except for a few moments of distinction, each song acquired a droning element after the first six minutes or so, urging most of the crowd outside for a smoke, permanently.
And last Tuesday's show at the 3rd Stone Bar & Grill featured two fine bands that, although they're no strangers to the Tucson scene, have yet to make regular rounds of the larger stages. The bill included The Gamera Crowns with The X Old Ladies, featuring guest scat/rap vocals and trombone à la Oslo B. Loverbottom of the Itsy Bitsy Spiders, as well as a guest vocal debut by Deedee Stephen.
The X Old Ladies have a mixed set of members from other established Tucson bands (Steve Laflin, formerly of the Low Down, Dimitri Enriquez of Spacefish, and Tony Rosano of Crawdaddy-O), and they do get around, recently playing shows in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Flagstaff. Musically well-heeled and stylistically adventurous, The X Old Ladies blend country and roots rock, jazz and funk strains with a healthy dose of chunk and a vast and pointed sense of humor, creating a sound uniquely inspired and unparalleled in these here parts. Watch for future dates at the 3rd Stone, 500 N. Fourth Ave.
Desert rock they ain't, but fans of Fugazi will find the familiar with the Gamera Crowns' energetic expressionism and East Coast approach. A tidy, youthful trio of talent, the Crowns--Josh Levine, Joshua Bone and Justin Miller--presented themselves with polished candor, filling the 3rd Stone with a wall of sound and a sophisticated dynamism I look forward to experiencing again.
LAST NOTES: Stop by and remember the good times on Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15, at Berky's Bar, 5769 E. Speedway. This special weekend celebrates memories of Lynn Noel, a former Berky's bartender and one of the victims in the fatal Fire Hall shooting last year. The doors will be open to any and all--Tony & the Torpedoes take the stage both nights in her honor. Call 296-1981 for more information.
Tucson's music scene suffers a great loss as Mike Wordberg (Wafflebutt, Sam Taylor Blues Band, Chick Cashman and the Countrypolitans) pulls up the tent posts and makes for the bright lights of the Big Apple. It was standing, or rather dancing, room only for Wafflebutt's farewell performance Friday, June 6, at the Airport Lounge. Not one sad note was heard as the band blazed through their final set; it was only as the clock struck 1 a.m. that melancholy settled over a crowd insistent on more. A toast to your future success, Mr. Wordberg--you'll be sorely missed!

--Lisa Weeks

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