Thursday, July 27
ALAN PARSONS and KANSAS
Where else can you hear "Games People Play," "Carry On Wayward Son," "Time," "Point Of Know Return," "Eye In The Sky" and "Dust In The Wind" in one place? Hopefully, nowhere else on earth.
These are two of the quintessential late Seventies and early Eighties artists. Parsons took the most marketable aspects of art rock, brightened and lightened them, and sold a few million albums in the process. Kansas added a heartland approach to prog-rock and became one of the premier power ballad bands (urp) of their time--an epoch which is long over. Someone really ought to tell the boys in the band. Tucson Convention Center Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Call 791-4266 for more information.
PATO BANTON
Positive reggae artist Banton is back with his band The Reggae Revolution. The Paragon Nightclub, 144 W. Lester. Call 622-5560 for more information.
Friday, July 28
ALL
Once known as the Descendents, All rose out of the late Seventies Los Angeles punk scene that spawned Black Flag, among others. In fact, All drummer Bill Stevenson quit the Descendents at one point in the Eighties to join Black Flag.
The group reassembled and began churning out their hyperkinetic punk again in 1985 and then changed their name and some band personnel two years later. It was then that they adopted their all-encompassing ideology as well.
"All is the largest philosophy there will ever be," bassist Karl Alvarez recently told Alternative Press magazine. Tres deep.
Their philosophical approach to the wearying controversy over whether real punks ever sign contracts to be on major labels is more interesting than their deep thoughts on life. They know a little about the dilemma of selling out because they signed a big-bucks deal with Interscope early last year after abandoning indie Cruz Records.
"You can't keep an idea from being sold out just because you refuse to sell it," Stevenson told A.P. "If you don't, someone else will steal it and sell it out for you. There are four bands in the charts right now that sound exactly like us."
Yeah, but none of those bands are coming to town soon. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Call 622-8848 for more information.
SKANKIN' PICKLE and DAVE'S BIG DELUXE with BLINK
Skafunkrastapunk! That's how the Pickle describes their music. Get to the DPC in its waning hours to dance a night away. The Downtown Performance Center, 530-B N. Stone Ave. Call 884-0874 for more information.
Saturday, July 29
AVAIL with J.CHURCH and QUINCY PUNX
"Avail is not just four people playing instruments, it's the people that come to our shows, write us letters, read our words, roll around on the floor with us, criticize, help visualize, and support our efforts." (Liner notes from Avail's seven-inch Sunspot record.)
This Richmond, Virginia hardcore band wears its heart humbly on its sleeve. The members talk repeatedly in interviews about their support for the Food Not Bombs organization and other social justice efforts. The Downtown Performance Center, 530-B N. Stone Ave. Call 884-0874 for more information.
DREAD ZEPPELIN
You know the formula: an Elvis impersonator sings Led Zeppelin songs done reggae style. It's goofy, simple fun and that's probably why so many people show up at their concerts. The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave. Call 622-6229 for more information.
Sunday, July 30
TEETH with P.S. 9, CASEY TRIPP and YELLOW BRICK ROADKILL
The very last show at the DPC features four local bands. (The venue may host small, occasional music events and performance art in the future, but if it does, it won't be under the DPC name.) Enjoy, because it's over now. The Downtown Performance Center, 530-B N. Stone Ave. Call 884-0874 for more information.
Tuesday, August 1
TODD SNIDER
Snider likes to have fun with country music. He forsakes the traditionally syrupy and soulless country pop themes of my-woman-or-man-done-left-me for sarcastic observations on Generation X, greed and Christianity. His snarly music is reminiscent of early Steve Earle with touches of Dwight Yoakam and Jerry Jeff Walker.His "My Generation (Part 2)" is a countrified two-step take-off on The Who's classic that lashes Gen X and its legions of slackers.
"We were raised up in the hallowed halls of a half-million shopping malls/ And there ain't any price that we're too proud to pay/ We'll buy anything from Diet Sprite to one thousand points of light/ Well I admit we're not that bright/ But I'm proud anyway," he sings snidely. "Wearing $40 tie-dyed t-shirts and big, bold paisley ties/ Here's to living off of Dad as long as you can/ And blending in with the crowd/ Oh, my generation, my generation, my generation should be proud."
He has also penned a couple of very thoughtful songs about child abuse, broken dreams and mistreatment of Native Americans, included on his debut album Songs For The Daily Planet. The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave. Call 622-6229 for more information.
Today's Trivia: The Concert For Bangladesh is held at Madison Square Garden in 1971. Much money is raised from the event but no one knows exactly where it goes.
Birthday Celebration: Jerry Garcia turns 53.
Thursday, August 3
Electric Light Orchestra
They'll play all the old hits: "Evil Woman," "Can't Get It Out Of My Head," "Telephone Line," "Strange Magic," "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Shine A Little Love." They'll play them without Jeff Lynne, the main creative force in the group. Lynne is long gone, but the E.L.O. name lives on. A couple of the other original Orchestra members are touring with this group, but that's a little like some of Bob Dylan's backup musicians travelling around as The Rolling Thunder Revue. Sorta.
Last time E.L.O. passed through town, they played to over 1,000 people on both nights. This time is a one-night stand with the Jeff-less band. The Outback, 296 N. Stone Ave. Call 622-4700 for more information.
Saturday, August 5
T.L.C.
The women of T.L.C.--Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas--stand right next to Salt-N-Pepa and Mary J. Blige as the reigning queens of hip hop and soul.
Their first two hits, "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" and "Baby-Baby-Baby" propelled their debut album Ooooooohhh...On The TLC Tip to sales of nearly three million. They're back with CrazySexyCool, their latest album on LaFace Records."Every woman--I don't care how shy or how outgoing you are or whatever--everybody has a crazy, sexy and cool side," Thomas says. "Depending on the situation and whatever mood you're in, a particular side comes out." Tucson Convention Center Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. Call 791-4266 for more information.
Friday, August 11
KEVIN SALEM with GROVER, PAULA JEAN BROWN, AL PERRY, GIANT SAND and RAINER
The time has come for another of those Club Congress outdoor blasts. This time folky rocker Salem headlines the concert. He's played his guitar with Freedy Johnston, Lisa Loeb, Madder Rose and Yo La Tengo, but is probably proudest of his work on his debut solo album Soma City, released earlier this year. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Call 622-8848 for more information.
Saturday, August 12
Birthday Celebration: Buck Owens turns 66.
Sunday, August 13
DOKKEN
They had their moments on top of the metal heap of the Eighties. Remember "Alone Again," "In My Dreams" and "Just Got Lucky"? That was Dokken.
They've reunited and are on the road again. In a recent interview group founder and namesake Don Dokken was asked a particularly relevant question: Why?"We didn't plan for it to happen. Mick (Brown), Jeff (Pilson) and I were working together on my solo record. When we started recording we realized it sounded like Dokken."
That must have been a scary moment. Apparently it wasn't horrifying enough, because the boys called in guitarist George Lynch (Don Dokken's archenemy in the earlier incarnation of the band) and continued recording the album that became Dysfunctional. It's a laughable attempt at a serious look at drug and alcohol abuse.
"I was pretty sober on this record," Don Dokken confessed to Album Network in May of this year. "I took the plunge and said 'I have things that are frustrating me and I have feelings and I'm going to write about them, instead of hiding them.'"
No, Don, hiding them from us would have been better. Buena Vista Theater, 251 S. Wilmot Rd. Call 747-1886 for more information.
Monday, August 14
LITTLE RIVER BAND
Another oldies band hits The Outback. This time out Australia's version of The Eagles rework their old tunes on their 20th Anniversary Tour. If you remember digging "Reminiscing," "Lady," "Lonesome Loser," "Take It Easy On Me" or "It's A Long Way There," you'll either be embarrassed by your past poor taste in music or you'll want to go to this show. The Outback, 296 N. Stone Ave. Call 622-4700 for more information.
Birthday Celebration: David Crosby turns 54.
Wednesday, August 16
Today's Trivia: The King dies in 1977.
Friday, August 18
Today's Trivia: In 1969, Mick Jagger is accidently shot in the head while filming "Ned Kelly" in Australia. Rumors persist to this day that Jagger survived the tragedy.
Friday, August 25
COLLECTIVE SOUL
They've got some pretty impressive credentials: a gig at Woodstock '94, the opening slot on an Aerosmith tour and a platinum debut album.
Hints Allegations And Things Left Unsaid was originally designed to be a songwriting demo for Collective Soul's singer, guitarist and main muse, Ed Roland. Obviously, it had success far beyond that.Their second album is simply entitled Collective Soul, and it continues mining the Aerosmith/Van Halen vein of hard rock. Guess what? Collective Soul is going to tour with VH! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it also lands you some lucrative tour dates. Buena Vista Theater, 251 S. Wilmot Rd. Call 747-1886 for more information.
Birthday Celebrations: Gene Simmons turns 46 and Elvis Costello turns 41.
Saturday, August 26
LEO KOTTKE
He is considered one of the finest guitarists of his generation by virtually everyone who has heard him play. His finger-picking style has influenced many young guitarists who picked up the instrument after Kottke made his initial splash in the early Seventies. Get tickets early, his shows here usually sell out. Temple Of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Call 327-4809 for more information.
JOHN TESH AND THE RED ROCKS ORCHESTRA
A member of the Big Noise crack (addicted) staff of writers recently had occasion to be sitting on an airplane. Before the plane took off, a video of Tesh and the RR orchestra played on the screens hung above the aisles. It's probably no small coincidence that the flight was overbooked and the airline was asking people to switch to less crowded planes. The Tesh video certainly made the brave Big Noiser willing to disembark, but well-laid travel plans prevented an exit.
Tesh makes what might generously be described as the shittiest new age music anyone has ever heard. It's a mushy, overblown, pompous, saccharine nightmare.
It has even less substance than Entertainment Tonight, the television show he co-hosts. Of course, if you like John, his show and his music, we wish you a pleasant evening and a better tomorrow. Tucson Convention Center Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Call 791-4266 for more information.
Tuesday, August 29
Today's Trivia: The Beatles' last concert is held in Candlestick Park, San Francisco on this day in 1966.
Wednesday, August 30
EVIL MOTHERS with HORSEY and LICK
Satan commands you to attend this show! It's part of Invisible Records' Route 666 tour, showcasing some strange folks from odd places like Texas and their weird, Beelzebub-designed music.
"A world of pimps and prostitutes, drug pushers, famous killers, corrupt cops, shoot-outs, religious satire, bizarre sex and satanic mass hysteria...the things that make life worth living in Texas!" is how Mothers' vocalist Curse Mackey describes his bands Pitchforks album.Producer/writer/performer and Invisible Records owner Martin Atkins (of Pigface) will also give a spoken word performance at the show. What words Martin will speak is anyone's guess, but since he named this series of shows the Route 666 tour, you might want to leave your fundamentalist, right-wing, Bible-thumpin' Christian friends behind. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Call 622-8848 for more information.
Birthday Celebration: John Phillips turns 60.
OUT OF TOWNERS
Thursday, July 27
HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH with COWBOY MOUTH
at the Mesa Amphitheater in Mesa
EVERCLEAR with HAGFISH and BRACKET
at Gibson's in Tempe
Sunday, July 30
BAILTER SPACE with ALISONS HALO and SIX STRING MALFUNCTION
at the Nile Theater in Mesa
Monday, July 31
FOO FIGHTERS with Shudder To Think and WOOL
at the Electric Ballroom in Tempe
EARTH CRISIS with STRIFE, GUILT and SEVEN STORY MOUNTAIN
at the Nile Theater in Mesa
Wednesday, August 2
HAMMERHEAD with LOVE 666 and FORK
at Boston's in Tempe
Thursday, August 3
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND with DIONNE FERRIS
at the Mesa Amphitheater in Mesa
Friday and Saturday, August 4-5
GUITAR SHORTY with ARTHUR MIGLIAZZA
at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix
Saturday, August 5
ZACHARY RICHARD
at Red River Opry in Tempe
Sunday, August 6
Boyz II Men with T.L.C. and MONTELL JORDAN
at Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix
Wednesday, August 9
SONNY LANDRETH
at the Rockin' Horse in Scottsdale
SWANS with TRUNK FEDERATION
at the Nile Theater in Mesa
BARRY WHITE AND THE LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA
at Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix
Friday, August 11
Catherine Wheel with WAX and GLEN MARS
at Gibson's in Tempe
Saturday, August 12
Lollapalooza '95 with SONIC YOUTH, HOLE, CYPRESS HILL, PAVEMENT, Beck, JESUS LIZARD, MIGHTY MIGHTY Bosstones, BLONDE REDHEAD, DIRTY THREE, HUM, the ROOTS, VERSUS and MIKE WATT
at Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix
LORETTA LYNN
at the Sundome in Phoenix
THE Rembrandts
in the Electric Ballroom in Tempe
Monday, August 14
BETTER THAN EZRA with DAMBUILDERS
at Gibson's in Tempe
Tuesday, August 15
RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL-STARR BAND featuring RANDY NEWMAN, RANDY BACHMAN, JOHN ENTWISTLE, FELIX CAVALIERE, MARK FARNER, BILLY PRESTON and ZAK STARKEY
at the Mesa Amphitheater in Mesa
Thursday, August 17
LEE RITENOUR and LARRY CARLTON
at Red River Opry in Tempe
WEEZER with TEENAGE FANCLUB
at the Party Gardens in Phoenix
Tuesday, August 22
LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND
at Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix
Wednesday, August 23
LOOSE DIAMONDS
at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix
CHRIS DUARTE
at the Rockin' Horse in Scottsdale
 |
 |
© 1995-97 Tucson Weekly . Info Booth |
|