Tucson Weekly: Soundbites (October 16

Sound Bites MY GOD, IT'S HUGE! By now you've probably heard the radio spots and seen the ads for a new venue on the north side of town, featuring under one very large roof a trio of clubs called the New West, Gotham and Screwy Louie's. Located right off the interstate at 4385 W. Ina Road, the address may sound familiar to longtime residents as the site the late Wild Wild West. The old country and western bar, closed within a few years of being sold to outside management, has been reborn--changed inside and out under the skilled guidance of former Wild Wild West owner and Tucson resident Kirby Bond. He's returned to create this new multi-entertainment Mecca, inspired by similar, highly successful ventures in California. He says he created the complex with a mind to tap into what he calls "the next wave in family-oriented entertainment."
There's even more to the triple club than meets the eye, which even at eye-level is overwhelming. Its 45,000 square feet, boasting a total capacity of 3,000, make the venue more like a multi-media mini-mall than a mere nightclub.
If you walk in through Screwy Louie's portal, for instance, you'll find yourself in a sports grill vaguely recalling a breezy Acapulco lounge. A long bar arcs around to the right, luring you toward the crowning achievement and raison d'être of any sports bar--three 11-foot TV screens and myriad large monitors. I can only imagine the potential crowds for the Superbowl.
Continuing on through into the New West, after the sheer size of the place becomes comprehensible--the dance floor itself is an 8,000-square-foot oval surrounding a central DJ booth and sound station--you notice the various shops, including an old-time photo store, Gotham/New West/Screwy Louie's apparel, the video arcade, and a raised platform along the west wall featuring a dozen or so pool tables. The concert stage spans the width of the room at the far east end. Quite obviously no expense was spared. The lighting and the sound system are reportedly state-of-the-art. The backstage is set up with the artists in mind, and there is, of course, the requisite VIP Lounge.
Finally, Gotham is accessed via the north wall of New West; and although the intention is to create the impression of passing into an alternate (youth-oriented) reality, the effect falls a bit shy of the mark. An overweening abundance of industrial verdigris detail, wire DJ cages, and the most obvious trademark, a large fan that might've been cast off the set of Angel Heart, combine to give Gotham the decidedly too-calculated appearance of industrial-alternative chic. Quite frankly, as one might gather from the club's name, the decor is dated and lacks real charm. Perhaps a few rowdy crowds will do something to erode the newness, but Gotham will most likely continue to resemble an older person's best guess at what the kids will think looks cool. In its favor, though, Gotham offers a nice, compact stage, good lighting and sound systems, and an intimate atmosphere--all of which could make it a right decent place to take in a show. Were it separate from the rest of the complex and located centrally, Gotham would probably appeal most to the collegiate dance crowd.
Yeah, okay, I can almost hear the collective groan emanating from "downtown hipsters"--quite honestly, I initially balked at the idea myself, uncertain that such a dizzying profusion of...stuff...would be appealing to younger concertgoers. The truth, though, is that the Big Three is a valuable addition to the greater Tucson scene: Downtown audiences are too fickle to carry a venue of this size, but mainstream audiences, especially fans of country and western music and dancing, will find much to their liking. Regardless of who you talk to who's involved in the Tucson music scene, one sentiment shared across the board is that Tucson needs a large venue if it's ever going to draw bigger name acts. The New West is just such a space, and is committed to hosting a wide variety of major talent, from country and classic rock to new rock and comedy shows, as well as local talent on the smaller stages. Say whatever you will, the Big Three fills a gaping hole in a town whose music scene inexplicably eclipses the range of appropriate venues.
If you need a written invitation to check it all out, don't miss Morrissey--you remember him, Mr. Meat is Murder of the late and very great Smiths--appearing on the big stage in the New West at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23. Tickets are $19 in advance, $20 on the day of the show. Call 744-7744 for more information.
HOT PICK: Al Perry & the Cattle are joined by The Hooligans--south Cali rockabilly á la the Reverend Horton Heat--and The Little Rabbits on Friday, October 17, at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. The Little Rabbits, a five-piece French pop band, are in Tucson recording their second album with Jim Waters at Waterworks West. According to Al Perry, the strength of their new work is creating quite a stir around the studio. The band has been using samples in its new recordings, and Perry hinted at the possibility of turntables in the live show as well. Friday's appearance is the group's American debut; so several months hence, when the Little Rabbits are all the rage, you can sniff to your friends that you saw them here first. Cover is $4 at the door. Call 622-8848 for more information.
LAST NOTE: Singer-songwriter Dar Williams, with special guest Peter Mulvey, appears at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 19, at The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave. This show may seem a little out of character for The Rock, which lately has been abundant with heavy metal, but it should be an excellent pairing. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 on the day of the show. Call 629-9211 for more information.

--Lisa Weeks

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