Tucson Weekly: Soundbites (May 28

Sound Bites LAST HURRAH: Zia Records and the Club Congress are throwing a party in memorial celebration of the life of Brad Singer at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 31. Official memorial services for the Zia Records founder and magnate were held May 6 at Sinai Mortuary in Phoenix, but the Zia Records Celebration serves as Tucson's chance to say good-bye to him in a way that he would have best enjoyed--a party featuring local musicians. Shoebomb, Naked Prey, Howe Gelb and Creosote are donating their performances for the celebration. Head down to the Congress on Saturday night and raise a glass to the fine talent and good memories. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Call 622-8848 for information.
The celebration marks a rare appearance by Naked Prey, and is Shoebomb's first outing in several months. The latter has reportedly been clocking in hours of practice on new material to be unveiled at Friday's show. Fans should stand ready.
Al Perry was originally slated to play the Zia Bash, but is unavailable due to commitments in, well, Sweden. That's right, Perry decided to head north for the summer, or part of it. Perhaps you recall Swedish pop-rockers Sludge Nation, who brightened the Naked Pueblo last year with their tattoos and piercings and their colorful, energetic Pixie-pop performances? Well, Perry has packed up his steamer trunks, and with Telecaster in tow has taken the sound of the desert overseas to the thirsting Nordic masses. Exactly what Perry will be doing during his European adventure was a little unclear even to him prior to his departure, but his immediate plans were to stay with the band in their hometown of Gothenburg and then to join them on a tour of several European cities. That was the plan, anyway. We'll fill you in on the details as we learn them.
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY: Wednesday Open Mic Nights are back! Susan Delaney (formerly Chase), former proprietress of the Airport Lounge, has teamed up with the Yankee Doodle Restaurant, 1929 E. Grant Road, to revive not only open mic Wednesdays, but to feature live music on Saturdays as well. For the open mic Wednesdays, the Doodle will feature dinner specials until 9:30 p.m., and the mic will stand ready from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., hosted by revolving emcees. Vintage video tapes of open mic highlights from The Airport Lounge's heyday will roll in the background.
Band nights kick off at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30, with openers Roy Acuff and I Shared a Moment In His Dressing Room at the Grand Ole Opry a Few Minutes Before His Death, a ridiculously long name for the duo of Tim Gallagher and Mike Noyes. Trailer Park Mark and the Wheels headline the affair. Not to worry Lounge fans, the Doodle plans to have Bass on tap. Call 325-1771 for information.
LAST NOTES: Local vocalist and songwriter Maebelle celebrates the release of her CD I've Got A Gun on Thursday, June 4, at The Third Stone Bar & Grill, 500 N. Fourth Ave. The disk features an A-list of local players that includes Ed Friedland, Dickie Thompson, Dave Jeffrey, Jeff Haskell and The Shelter's own Santiago, among others. I've Got A Gun is a rollicking collection of showy, bluesy lounge originals reminiscent of a sweeter, less burlesque and robust Candye Kane. You can also catch Maebelle performing at The Shelter Cocktail Lounge, 4155 E. Grant Road, tonight, Thursday, May 28. Call The Third Stone 628-8844 for information about the CD release party; or call The Shelter (326-1345) for information about this Thursday's show.
If you prefer the mercurial taste of heavy metal, I am sure you already have tickets for tonight's Slayer, Clutch and System of a Down show out at the New West, 4385 W. Ina Road. Fans should be prepared to raawwk. Slayer stops off in Tucson on a nationwide tour in support of their first new release in three years, their American/ Columbia Records debut Daibolus in Musica.
Although in the band's press materials guitarist Kerry King is quoted as dismissively stating, "Yeah, I guess it's a new beginning...I think this record's gonna do it for us. Then, I thought the last five would, too," I hope it's safe to assume that such a lackadaisical attitude will not be carried onto the stage. Tickets for the all-ages show are available at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Call 744-7744 for information.
The Wise Monkey Orchestra blazes through town with its singular brand of big band--a medley of jazz, funk, Latin, disco, reggae and soul which they describe as Kinetic Sol--with a performance on Friday, May 29, at the Third Stone Bar and Grill. Based in San Diego since 1994, the band formed in Tempe in 1990, and although they have yet to attract interest from major labels, the Orchestra seems to have no trouble staying busy: They've shared the bill with familiar names from Eek-A-Mouse to Blues Traveler, The Pharcyde and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The nine-piece band features the svelte vocal stylings of lyricist Alley, and the percussion of conga master Tim Pacheco backed by high-energy rhythm and horn sections. The Wise Monkey Orchestra is touring on the heels of a third release, a live album appropriately titled It's Alive! Locals Groove, Rhythm and Soul Stimulation open the show. Call for 622-8844 information.
In order to preserve the integrity of techno dance night, The Club Congress has booked X legend John Doe to perform an early show, fronting The John Doe Thing with special guests Trona at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30. Despite the slight of the early hour, the show is sure to be sensational, if the underground rock legend's understated SXSW performance a couple of months ago is any indication. Tickets are $4, and doors open at 7:30 p.m.
If that's too early for your Xperience, then head up to Tempe to that dive bastion of alternative cool, Nita's Hideaway, 1616 E. Rio Salada Pkwy., on Sunday, May 31. Tickets are $10 and the show starts around 10 p.m. Call (602) 303-0009 for information.
Speaking of shows up Tempe way, the Murders, The Impossibles and The Weird Lovemakers make it worth the trip, bashing out an all-ages triple bill at the Tempe Bowl on Wednesday, June 3. Call C.A.P. Concerts at (602) 649-9224 for more information.
SOLD OUT: Sorry, kids. I planned the jump on The Kenny Wayne Sheppard Band show for this week, but the performance on Friday, June 5, at the Rialto Theater, 318 E. Congress St., has already sold out. With that in mind, here's some notice: Tickets are on sale and going fast for two other upcoming all-ages shows at The Rialto: The Cherry Poppin' Daddies on Tuesday, June 9; and Royal Crown Revue on Thursday, June 11. You can still purchase tickets for either shows at all Dillard's outlets. Call 795-1420 for information.

--Lisa Weeks

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