Other venues may be added; visit ClubCrawl.net for last-minute additions and
changes!
Bud Select Music Stage
8:30 p.m.: Golden Cadillacs (Sacramento, Calif.)
9:30 p.m.: Dave Gleason (Los Angeles)
10:30 p.m.: Dave Gonzalez and the Stone River Boys
(Austin)
Midnight: Bad News Blues Band
The theme for the Bud Select Music Stage this time around is “all
things rootsy,” with Sacramento’s Golden Cadillacs up to bat
first. Get a dose of their tasteful country rock, influenced equally by
the Byrds and Buck Owens, at 8:30 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., the
Cadillacs’ current tourmate, Los Angelino Dave Gleason, who
sounds like he splits his time between Bakersfield and Nashville, steps
up to the plate. As a founding member of the Paladins and co-leader of
the Hacienda Brothers with the late Chris Gaffney, Dave Gonzalez’s
roots résumé is impressive. At 10:30 p.m., he
showcases his latest outfit, Dave Gonzalez and the Stone River
Boys. (See our feature article in this section for the full story.)
At midnight, perennial local blues faves the Bad News Blues
Band bat cleanup with their mix of soulful and Chicago-style
blues.
Art Center Design College/KRQ Stage
8 p.m.: Indigo Kids
9 p.m.: Gaza Strip
10 p.m.: Crosscut Saw
11 p.m.: 8 Minutes to Burn
Midnight: Whole Lotta Zep
On this big ol’ outdoor stage at 8 p.m., the young’uns in
Indigo Kids do a version of hip hop that Asher Roth fans could
love, with a detour here and there into reggae rhythms. Comedy rockers
(or are they?) Gaza Strip step onto the stage at 9 p.m.,
followed by the searing blues-rock of Crosscut Saw at 10
p.m. At 11 p.m., 8 Minutes to Burn inject some reggae
riddims into their funk-rockery, just before midnight, when the
TAMMIES-winning Whole Lotta Zep escorts you up that proverbial
stairway to heaven.
Khor Vodka/The Mountain Stage
8 p.m.: Kristen Chandler
9 p.m.: The Postmarks (Miami)
10 p.m.: Skitn
11 p.m.: The Static Session
Midnight: Sunday Afternoon
Recent Tucson transplant Kristen Chandler, who just last week
released Deja, her second full-length album, has a voice that
easily accommodates her band’s backing bed of jazz, blues, soul,
reggae, funk and world music. She gets things started at 8 p.m. From Miami, cinematic, retro, sophisticated popsters The
Postmarks‘ latest album, Memoirs at the End of the World,
has received rave reviews, including a 7.6 rating from Pitchfork.
Singer Tim Yehezkely (a woman) possesses one of “those voices,”
simultaneously sultry and icy. Yum. They’re on at 9 p.m., with
Skitn, who mix reggae, beach-pop (think Jack Johnson) and a
jam-band aesthetic, following at 10 p.m. If you miss the heady
days of Brit-pop à la Echo and the Bunnymen and latter-day Jesus
and Mary Chain, The Static Session provides just what you’ve
been looking for at 11 p.m. At midnight, perennial
college favorite Sunday Afternoon offers jazzy, muted funk-pop
that will remind you why they draw comparisons to the Dave Matthews
Band.
Tejano/Mia Stage
8 p.m.: Se Salen
9 p.m.: Se Salen
10 p.m.: Relente
11 p.m.: Monitor
Midnight: Nudos
For nearly 15 years, Se Salen have been spreading the gospel
of classic Tejano music all over Arizona. Tonight, they take the first
two slots on the Tejano/Mia Stage, starting at 8 p.m. At 10
p.m., Relente, a sextet that includes several veterans of
much-loved Tejano acts performing cumbias, corridos, rancheras and a
little bit of country, hits the stage. Monitor plays at 11
p.m., and at midnight, Nudos, who apply Latino
rhythms to classic rock and pop, close things out.
Rialto Theatre
8 p.m.: Brian Lopez
9 p.m.: Salvador Duran
10 p.m.: The Jons
11 p.m.: Mostly Bears
Midnight: Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta
The Tucson music scene is nothing if not incestuous, and for proof,
look no further than the Rialto’s lineup: These five acts share not
only members, but a rehearsal space as well. Mostly Bears frontman
Brian Lopez has recently branched out as a solo act, though he
gets a little help from his friends. A recent live set on KXCI FM 91.3
was fantastic, and you can expect the same when he gets the night’s
festivities rolling at 8 p.m. You may know Salvador Duran from his many musical guises (lead singer for Sergio Mendoza y la
Orkesta, collaborator with Calexico and Iron and Wine), but he’s just
as captivating as a solo act—just an acoustic guitar, his beloved
stomp-box and that gloriously rich voice. He plays at 9 p.m., prior to
The Jons, who could lazily (but accurately) be described as the
Mexican Beatles, at 10 p.m. The music of modern prog-rock trio
Mostly Bears is at once complex and inviting. Plus, they boast
one of the finest singers in Tucson in Brian Lopez. They’re on at 11
p.m., just prior to the musical sensation that is Sergio Mendoza
y la Orkesta, who have risen in less than a year’s time to become
one of Tucson’s best and most popular bands. Indie mambo? Si … you at
midnight.
Congress Outdoor
8 p.m.: Umbrella Bird
9 p.m.: I Am the Lion
10 p.m.: The Early Black
11 p.m.: RCougar
Midnight: What Laura Says (Phoenix)
The stage at Hotel Congress’ new outdoor plaza gets rolling at 8
p.m. with a set from Bright Eyes-influenced dream-poppers
Umbrella Bird, who until recently were known as Lydian and the
Amphybians. At 9 p.m., get a dose of post-rock prog courtesy of
I Am the Lion, followed at 10 p.m. by the Joy
Division-influenced gloom-rock of The Early Black.
RCougar, whose take on indie-pop should appeal to fans of
Pinback and The Sea and Cake, take over at 11 p.m., with Phoenix
buzz band What Laura Says, who perform an utterly infectious
brand of quirky, piano-heavy pop that looks backward for its
harmony-laden influences, closing the curtain at midnight. (For
more on What Laura Says, see the feature in this section.)
Maynards Market and Kitchen
9 to 11 p.m.: Determined Luddites
From 9 to 11 p.m., the outdoor plaza at Maynards features a
live performance from acoustic folkies the Determined Luddites,
who veer from bluegrass to Celtic music, ragtime to Caribbean rhythms,
Latin influences to the blues.
Club Congress
8 p.m.: The Ghost of 505
9 p.m.: Crossing Sarnoff
10 p.m.: Bold Bird
11 p.m.: Brookville (New York)
Midnight: Sand Rubies
1 a.m.: Hillbilly Prophet (Los Angeles)
Appropriately, the indoor stage at Club Congress boasts a motley mix
of styles, starting at 8 p.m. with the local roots-rock trio
The Ghost of 505, just before the appealing ’70s-leaning pop of
Crossing Sarnoff at 9 p.m. Featuring members from both
Tucson and San Diego, Bold Bird rounds up influences in
everything from the blues, country, hip-hop and folk to land in what
could be described as groove-pop territory. They’re on at 10
p.m. New York-based Brookville, the romantic pop nom de
musique of Andy Chase of the beloved band Ivy, plays at 11 p.m.
Midnight brings the Sand Rubies, the veteran act partially
to blame—or thank—for the genre of desert rock. And at 1
a.m., L.A.-based bluesy rockers Hillbilly Prophet, who count
Tucson guitar veteran Robin Johnson as a member, stick a fork in the
night.
The District
9 p.m.: Space Over Desert
10 p.m.: Amy Rude
11 p.m.: Andrew Collberg
Midnight: Gabriel Sullivan featuring Mike Hebert
1 a.m.: DJ Butterfly
Jack-of-all-trades Michael John Serpe, who performs as Space Over
Desert, writes fine songs (primarily) in an indie folk-pop style.
Rumor has it that he’s not long for this town, so be sure to catch him
while you can, as the first act on a great bill of largely twisted
Americana at The District, at 9 p.m. Amy Rude, who writes
and performs dark, lovely and lovingly imperfect songs about the
tribulations of the heart, steps onstage at 10 p.m., with John
Lennon-influenced singer-songwriter Andrew Collberg following at
11 p.m. With an acclaimed new Tom Waits-influenced solo album,
By the Dirt, under his belt, Gabriel Sullivan both pays
homage to the history of Tucson music and furthers it. His set tonight
at midnight will feature guest Mike Hebert of the Kings
of Pleasure. At 1 a.m., DJ Butterfly finishes off the night
spinning vintage vinyl.
Sports on Congress
9 p.m.: Parable Paul
9:30 p.m.: Ciphurphace
10 p.m.: Hometown Heroes
10:30 p.m.: Jivin Scientists
11:15 p.m.: Big Meridox with DJ Bonus
Midnight: Get Loose with DJ Hometown Herm and DJ Bonus
Sports on Congress’ lineup tonight boasts some of the biggest and
best names in local hip hop. Your lineup for the night: Parable
Paul at 9 p.m.; James Ciphurphace, aka Ciphurphace,
at 9:30 p.m.; Hometown Heroes at 10 p.m.; Jivin
Scientists at 10:30 p.m.; and Big Meridox with DJ
Bonus at 11:15 p.m. From midnight to 2 a.m., it’s
Get Loose, a hip-hop-centric DJ session with DJ Hometown
Herm and DJ Bonus. Aww yeah.
Vaudeville
Church of Rock Revelations hosted by Father Larry
8 p.m.: Via Vengeance a One Man Band (Phoenix)
9 p.m.: Bordertown Devils
10 p.m.: Hillbilly Devilspeak (Phoenix)
11 p.m.: Juarez
Midnight: Love Mound
1 a.m.: You Apart
At Vaudeville tonight, Father Larry spreads the gospel of
rawk with another installment of his Church of Rock Revelations.
Translation: Bring earplugs. While Scottsdale might not be the first
locale that springs to mind when discussing heavy rock, Via
Vengeance a One Man Band, which is just as his moniker suggests, is
out to change that with his brand of slow-and-heavy. He starts things
off at 8 p.m., followed at 9 p.m. by Bordertown
Devils, who trade in the brand of rootsy punk pioneered by Social
Distortion and the Misfits. For more than a decade, Phoenix’s
Hillbilly Devilspeak have been cranking out what they call
“stoner punk.” We’d compare them favorably to the Jesus Lizard, but you
can decide for yourself at 10 p.m. Dark, heavy and immensely
appealing, Juarez is currently one of the brightest lights in
Tucson hard rock. Catch ’em at 11 p.m., just before the veteran
bluesy hard-rockers Love Mound at midnight. One of the
most accomplished bands in local modern hardcore, You Apart bring the head-nodding to a close at 1 a.m.
O’Malley’s
8 p.m.: Tone Monkeys
9 p.m.: The Grand Royale
10 p.m.: Infernal Racket
11 p.m.: Ethos
12:30 a.m.: Rasta Sauce
This perennial Fourth Avenue college hangout gets the party rolling
at 8 p.m. with reggaefied funk-pop trio Tone Monkeys.
Fronted by singer Nikki Leathers, The Grand Royale perform a
poppy take on reggae at 9 p.m., followed at 10 p.m. by
the horn-based music of Infernal Racket. At 11 p.m.,
Ethos showcases its gentle, earthy pop tunes, just prior to
midnight, when Rasta Sauce demonstrate their proficiency
in Tuvan throat-singing. Just kidding—they play reggae-pop,
y’all!
The Hut
8 p.m.: Key Ingredients of African Soul
10 p.m.: Molehill Orkestrah
11:30 p.m.: Planet Jam
12:30 a.m.: The Tryst
The lineup on the indoor stage at The Hut tonight showcases the
bar’s penchant for all things world music, starting at 8 p.m. with the Key Ingredients of African Soul, who perform originals
and covers rooted in Afro-pop, African folk, reggae and Caribbean soca.
At 10 p.m., the instrumental combo Molehill Orkestrah will work you into a state of bliss via its take on gypsy, klezmer and
Mediterranean styles. Dub and roots reggae courtesy of Planet
Jam arrive at 11:30 p.m., and at 12:30 a.m., The
Tryst, the 2009 TAMMIES winner in the jazz category, unleash their
brand of groove-laden jazz-pop.
The Hut Outdoor Stage
8:30 p.m.: Renato Parada
9:30 p.m.: Seashell Radio
10:30 p.m.: Fourkiller Flats
11:45 p.m.: The Swigs
Things get rolling on The Hut’s outdoor stage at 8:30 p.m. with the mellow folk originals of singer-songwriter Renato
Parada, followed at 9:30 p.m. by the gorgeous, sophisticated
pop of Seashell Radio. Fourkiller Flats, the justifiably
lauded country-rock band led by the immensely talented singer,
songwriter and guitarist Jim Cox, reunited a couple of years ago and
released a new album, Treasure and Trash, earlier this year.
They’re on at 10:30 p.m., right before The Swigs, a
versatile, retro-leaning rock trio fronted by sometime-solo artist
Kevin Henderson, who perform at 11:45 p.m.
Zen Rock
9 p.m.: Black Tuesday
10 p.m.: Triple Double Band
11 p.m.: The Hounds
Midnight: Broken Romeo
1 a.m. DJ MGM
A new addition to Club Crawl®, the recently opened nightclub Zen
Rock features a wildly diverse lineup tonight, starting at 9
p.m. with the catchy, gently rocking tunes of Black Tuesday.
At 10 p.m., the Triple Double Band plays songs from its
most recent album, Dot My Eighths, a collection of funky
reggae-blues and tasteful pop that was released in the spring. The
Hounds, a beach-reggae trio in the tradition of Sublime, take the
stage at 11 p.m., prior to the semi-rootsy grunge rock of
Broken Romeo at midnight. Starting at 1 a.m. and
finishing the night is DJ MGM.
Sharks
8:30 p.m.: Ten Dead Gods
9:45 p.m.: Los Nawdy Dogs
11 p.m.: Funky Bonz
Midnight: DJ Chucky Chingon
Normally your downtown base for all things with a Latin beat, Sharks
branches out tonight to include pummeling metal from Ten Dead
Gods at 8:30 p.m.; Santana-influenced Latin rockers Los
Nawdy Dawgs at 9:45 p.m.; the recently re-formed
funk-rock-‘n’ reggae outfit Funky Bonz at 11 p.m.; and
DJ Chucky Chingon at midnight.
Café Passé
6:30 p.m.: Duo Sonido
7:30 p.m.: Jimmy Carr
The cozy confines of Fourth Avenue’s Café Passé come
to life tonight at 6:30 p.m. with live music from
guitar-and-vibes Latin loungers Duo Sonido, followed at 7:30
p.m. by the always-entertaining multi-instrumentalist and singer
Jimmy Carr.
Flanagan’s Celtic Corner
7 p.m.: Cheat the Hangman
What else would you expect at a place called Flanagan’s Celtic
Corner? Cheat the Hangman, which includes a father and son,
performs a set of Irish music at 7 p.m.
Iguana Café
8 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Ritmo Alto
Enjoy salsas and cumbias throughout the evening with the help of
Ritmo Alto, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Winsett Park
7 to 9 p.m.: Desert Bluegrass Association
This outdoor park, which sits next to Bison Witches on Fourth
Avenue, features a lineup of live bluegrass acts from 7 to 9
p.m. courtesy of the Desert Bluegrass Association.
Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant
7 to 10 p.m.: Jeff Lewis and Friends
Jeff Lewis, who just happens to be the president of the
Tucson Jazz Society’s board of directors, performs with friends at this
downtown mainstay tonight from 7 to 10 p.m.
Delectables
7 to 9 p.m.: Jeremy Serwer
Before taking the stage at The Hut with his band Seashell Radio,
Jeremy Serwer performs a solo singer-songwriter set of Americana
tunes from 7 to 9 p.m. at this venerable Fourth Avenue
eatery.
Magpies
7 to 9 p.m.: Phil Borzillo
There’s music everywhere you turn tonight, even on the outdoor patio
in front of Magpies Gourmet Pizza on Fourth Avenue, where from 7 to
9 p.m., singer-songwriter Phil Borzillo performs a set of
country, folk, blues and just about anything else that falls under the
Americana umbrella.
Chocolate Iguana
7 to 9 p.m.: In Accent
This fun, quirky Fourth Avenue coffeeshop hosts the two amazing
women (and their acoustic harmonies) who constitute In Accent from 7 to 9 p.m.
This article appears in Oct 1-7, 2009.