July 6 - July 12, 1995

TOP OF THE HEAP: I've raved before about The Resonars, a local band that has been severely overlooked by Tucson club-goers. Their blending of harmony pop vocals, folk, country, garage and rock influences makes them one of Tucson's best current bands, or so I've said before.

With the release of the band's Tripping In Your Coffin cassette, I'll take the praise one step further. I've seen and heard an endless string of groups in Tucson since my teen years, and after much thought I've come to this personal assessment: The Resonars are the most enjoyable, musically talented and creative rock musicians in Tucson from the past decade--and beyond.

While there are many fine rock bands in these here parts, The Resonars have simply become my current favorite. Save the hate mail, kids. I'm entitled to my opinion.

The foursome is getting ready to record new material for a four-song EP, hopefully to be followed by a full-length CD collecting tracks from the vibrant cassette release. The 14 song cassette is available at Zia Record Exchange and Toxic Ranch, so shell out $5 and judge the band's musical prowess for yourself.

For music fans on a budget, The Resonars will perform at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 6, during Kathy Key's excellent Tap Into Tucson radio show on KXCI, 91.3 FM. Their 45 minute set will include an interview and undoubtedly a few cuts from Tripping. While the aural quality of the "live" KXCI broadcasts is sometimes crude, The Resonars' ability should shine through.

USE YOUR BRAINS: On Friday, July 7, African-American hardcore diehards Bad Brains grace the Downtown Performance Center, 530-B N. Stone Ave. "They are the most intense band I've ever experienced," says DPC's Steve Eye, who's promoted countless shows over a 15 year stretch.

The Brains have been kicking around (on and off) since the early '80s, and have reformed with their original line-up to tour behind a new major label release. Known as one of the first '80s underground bands to fuse reggae, funk, metal and hardcore, The Bad Brains should now find a commercial audience that simply didn't exist when they formed almost 15 years ago.

"Punk music at the time (early 1980s) was about the dark side, but The Bad Brains' music was about unity and the revolution for the people," Eye continues. "Their music was uplifting." Eye's sincere admiration for the band is obvious. "They're like The Beatles to the punk scene," he says. "They're the originators of intensity."

An early '80s Bad Brains show I witnessed--in the UA Student Union Cellar of all places--was a fiery exposition of sweat and gristle, complete with violent pit-slamming and fist fights. The energy in the room was undeniable--and unpredictable. Eye is confident his audience will react positively to the Bad Brains' high-octane energy without violence.

This will also be one of the last big-name shows at the DPC before the all-ages venue's scheduled August 1 closure. "For us to go out with a show like this is amazing," says Eye, who emphasizes that three weeks of shows still remain on his schedule.

"We've created quite a history in Tucson, and people got together to create a whole community," he says. "It's been an inspirational experience." This show could be an epic conclusion to DPC's history.

Tickets for The Bad Brains are $10, and are available in advance from Zia Records, Toxic Ranch and the DPC Café. The Deftones and Roguish Armament are also on the bill.

EAT A PEACH: A musical world away, The Allman Brothers Band will bring their ageless country blues rock to the Pima County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 8. Opening will be the self-proclaimed cyber-mail-order-hippie group Rusted Root. I'm certain that shaking of booties will be permitted, encouraged and unavoidable.

I heard a totally false rumor that folks with Confederate flag patches on their butts get in for free. Save the needle and thread and put down those iron-on patches--lawn tickets are $12 in advance through Dillard's.

TOWER OF SONG POWER: Closing the weekend will be a CD release show for locals Stefan George and Songtower. Their 12-song Cactus & Concrete effort is the band's second long-player for the local Blue Bhikku label, and it's a winner.

The album opens with the lilting and lyrical "Second Hand Boots," which is highlighted by George's deep, heartfelt lead vocals and bright acoustic guitar. "Humor Me," "Small Faces," "You Can't Lose" and the title track also benefit from a similar treatment--sweetly and expertly backed by vocalists Jan Daley and Lavinia White, along with percussionist Will Clipman and bassist Jay Trapp. Their collective talent is obvious and plentiful.

Stefan George and Songtower will kick things up at the Southwest Center For Music, 2175 N. Sixth Ave., on Sunday, July 9. Admission is a mere $5, with a free-flow of music from 7 to 11 p.m.
--Tim Gassen

Michael Metzger's regular Soundbites column will return next week.

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