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DOWN WITH LOW: The Theater Congress, 125 E. Congress
St., and Umlaut Productions pull a few more rabbits out of the
proverbial hat this week, staging another indie coup with Low,
Run On, Ida and the return of seldom seen semi-locals
the Passionflies at 10 p.m. Saturday, October 4. Headliners
Low have been gathering wide indie acclaim for their intense,
sublimely quiet shows stylistically in league with the lo-fi likes
of Palace, Spain and Tortoise.
Openers The Passionflies, intermittent on the Tucson scene for nearly a decade, have been on a self-proclaimed hiatus while focusing on new material for a forthcoming CD, due out some time before year's end. Relocated members will be arriving from California, and together with new drummer Rick Moe (formerly of 35 Summers and Dennis Mitchell & the Wilsons), the core line-up--Mike Sydloski, David Hostetler and Rik Nicholson--offer a preview of the Passionflies' new material. Cover is $7--sorry, no student discount on this one. Call 623-7852 for more information. HOT PICKS: "A new family is born in Tucson," or so the hurried, cracking, quasi-adolescent voice informs on the recorded message. What he's talking about is not a new-age cult, but a rave--that's right, kids, a rave--set for Friday, October 3: "Radioactive takes you through the Gateway." The event brags the Arizona debut of San Diego DJ Teknoman. Also on the bill are L.A. deejays Eric L and Curious, the debut of Tucson's DJ R, and the 2X4 by Spyder and Necro. Cover is $10 at the door, $9 with a can of food for the homeless. Call (800) 756-6496 to reach the above referenced recording, which lists rave events statewide and provides a forum for suggestions and comments; or call 566-8624 for more information. The Melted Men mix media to experimental excess on Sunday, October 5, at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. In actuality, the Athens, Ga., duo is committed to the cause of "creative entertainment," opening the show with two 16mm shorts: "The Insectivore," by I. Moon; and "Electreat," by C. Cogan, followed by a short lecture with accompanying music and slides by pre-eminent scientist and entomologist, Miss Irene Moon. Following Moon's tutorial, the Melted Men take the stage to produce an eclectic electronic aural montage, sharpening their silliness with elaborate costumes and notorious hi-jinx. Among the stops off the beaten path that've served as theater to their multi-sensual experience are the Salvador Dalí Museum in Tampa, Fla., and the New Art Salon in Philadelphia, Pa. Call 622-8848 for more information.
How about some culture that's neither Southern nor on the skids? Here's the quick and dirty on three shows that could vastly improve the quality quotient of your live-music diet: Robin Huw Bowen dazzles on the Welsh triple harp, playing an assorted compilation of dances and airs from the Welsh and Welsh Gypsy traditions, beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, October 3, at St. Philip's East Gallery, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance, with a $2 discount for TFTM members, seniors and students. They're $2 more the day of the show. Call 327-1779 for more information. On the same night, at the same time, on the other side of town, you'll find innovative gypsy passion of a more contemporary, international variety. Check out Willie and Lobo with special guests--and Tucson label Soundings of the Planet recording artists--Sunyata (pick up their terrific new release Gypsy Sun, Gypsy Moon). They perform at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway. Seating for the show is reserved, with tickets priced at $14 and $16. Call 881-3947 for more information. Following last week's phenomenal set of original jazz orchestrations by the Tony Malaby and Joey Sellers Quartet, the fledgling Jazz At The Institute series continues on Monday, October 6, with Tim Berne and Michael Formanek. The New York-based improvisational sax and bass duo takes the stage against a backdrop of colored lights and kinetic sculpture at 8 p.m. at the Mat Bevel Institute, 530 N. Stone Ave. To our surprise and delight, every seat in the house was filled--plus a few makeshift ones--at last week's show. We hope the trend continues, until such aural excursions become a regular happening rather than a rare treat. Tickets step up to $10 this week, with a $1 discount for TJS and KXCI members, available at the door or in advance from Last Wax Records, 402 N. Fourth Ave. Call 612-7355 for more information. TAKING THE CHUNKY WITH THE SMOOTH: Not often do I encourage a drive to Phoenix, but as is still too often the occasion, Tucson's being passed by, leaving fans of Superchunk no alternative but to gas up the Chevy and designate a driver. Merge recording artists Superchunk with guests The Rock-A-Teens are slated to appear Tuesday, October 7, at Hollywood Alley in Mesa. The show is all-ages, with tickets for $8 in advance, $10 day of show. Call (602) 503-5555 for information.
It'd been several long, hot months since their departure for
greener pastures, and word from Portland, Maine, is that far-flung
Tucson quartet Atomic Frog is taking the East by storm,
touring New England throughout October. Should you be curious
about Atomic Frog's shenanigans, visit their website at http://member.aol.com/AFrog1/AtomicFrog.html.
--Lisa Weeks
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Turning the volume up, New York's 
LAST NOTES: Touring as only diehard bluesmen, certain overexposed
alternarockers and The Paladins can, guitarist Tinsley Ellis,
who boasts more than 200 shows a year, returns at 8 p.m. Wednesday,
October 8, to The Boondocks, 3306 N. First Ave.,
for a evening of flaming Southern blues. A self-pronounced rock
and roller who just happens to play the blues, Ellis' last two
Alligator Records releases, Storm Warning and Fire It
Up, garnered favorable national attention: Rolling Stone
likens his fretwork to the pyrotechnics of 