A DROUGHT, OF SORTS
Just as the monsoon is about to arrive, summer has left us a bit
high and dry this week in another department: live music. Nonetheless,
there are still some shows worth your time and money. Here are some of
them.
FROM THE SOULLESS NORTH
There’s always been something of a rivalry between Tucson and the
Phoenix metro area. They think we’re a bit of a backwater, and we think
they’re a bland, soulless megalopolis that’s trying too hard to be Los
Angeles—and failing miserably. (See what I mean?)
But the truth of the matter is that a lot of it is mere jest: Once
we all get together, we seem to get along just fine.
Although Phoenix has given us bands like the Gin Blossoms, Jimmy Eat
World, Dead Hot Workshop and The Format over the years, Tucson has
always been more of a music town—especially when you consider the
size difference. This week, though, Tucson gets a surprisingly rare
taste of two of Phoenix’s most highly touted young bands, who are
playing on consecutive nights, at two different clubs.
After releasing a pair of EPs on Jim Adkins’ (Jimmy Eat World)
Western Tread label, Carefree, Arizona’s Peachcake finally
released its debut LP, What Year Will You Have the World?, last
fall. It’s chock-full of smart electro-pop tunes that work on every
level: witty lyrics, sweet melodic hooks and, yes, you can dance to it.
If Gravy Train!!!! and The Postal Service collaborated on an album, it
might sound something like What Year. The album followed a
period of tragedy and travails, including the death of frontman Stefan
Pruett’s brother, which nearly broke up the band. But like the name of
the town from which they hail, the band’s music is all about positivity
and the pursuit of a good time. (That’s where the costumes come
in.)
Also on this bill for this four-fer: the relatively new local band
Seashell Radio—Jeremy Serwer, Cassie Van Gelder, Fen
Ikner, Esmé Schwall—which has already released an EP of
gorgeously moody tunes that at times recall the sophisticated pop of
Talk Talk and Air; Tucson young’uns I Am the Lion, who trade in
post-punk prog; and Austin/Brooklyn combo Mothfight, who sound
like they’ve been influenced by Animal Collective, the Polyphonic Spree
and Grizzly Bear (i.e., pop tunes with lots of harmonies and
noise-fuckery).
This one goes down at 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, at
Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Admission is free. For more
information, call 622-8848.
Miniature Tigers, who also call Phoenix home, perform in
Tucson even less frequently than Peachcake. (In fact, I can’t recall
them ever playing here before, though that’s not to say they haven’t.)
Like Peachcake, the band boasts smart lyrics and a pop sweet spot
that’ll have you checking your blood sugar. But the songs on Tell It
to the Volcano, the band’s debut album, which was released on Epic
last September, are more organic and less electro than the music of
Peachcake. Instead, they’re kissed with the sunny pop associated with
California.
“This is not a test or an S.O.S. / I’m no longer on a quest to get
girls undressed / I searched through their hearts and no treasure I
found / I’m so lucky this one lets dogs hang around,” is how the
album’s first single, “Cannibal Queen,” opens; but lest you be led to
believe that Miniature Tigers are some emo-lite outfit, once the chorus
kicks in, the tune sounds like nothing so much as E.L.O. had Jeff Lynne
grown up in L.A. instead of the United Kingdom. (There’s also a bit of
Ben Folds in there, which shouldn’t be a surprise, considering the band
has toured with him; they’ve also toured with Bishop Allen and fellow
Phoenicians Dear and the Headlights.)
Miniature Tigers headline a bill that also includes California’s
Princeton, who have often been compared to Vampire Weekend, but
who swim in more of a Beatles/chamber pop vein, and Tucson’s
Umbrella Bird, who have recently undergone a name change; they
used to be Lydian and the Amphybians.
All three bands perform at Plush, 340 E. Sixth St., next
Thursday, July 2, starting at 9:30 p.m. Cover is a fiver. For
further details, call 798-1298.
I’VE GOT YOUR PLANK RIGHT HERE
Tucson and Devil Doll, the Los Angeles-based band fronted by Devil
Doll (aka Colleen Duffy) herself, have developed quite a relationship
over the years, which should come as no surprise: The group’s sexy
blend of rockabilly, jazz (of many varieties including Latin and swing)
and punk is a no-brainer match for the greased-hair-and-tattoos
set.
But this week, Devil Doll is doing something a little different: A
show at the Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. Fourth Ave., on Thursday,
July 2, will be the debut of Devil Doll and the Dread Crew of
Oddwood, which Duffy, in an e-mail to Soundbites, describes as “an
authentic pirate band.” She compares it to the Pogues.
The whole night is pirate-themed, in fact, with discounts at the
door for those dressed in pirate garb. And we’re guessing that opening
act Black Cherry Burlesque (not a band, but an actual burlesque
troupe), who never turn up their nose at a theme, will tailor their act
accordingly.
The show starts at 9 p.m., and cover is $12—$10 if you’re done
up as a pirate. Need more info? The number to call is
882-0009.
SHORT TAKES
While he made a name for himself as an influential rapper in the
early ’90s—his now-classic debut, 1991’s Quik Is the Name,
went platinum—DJ Quik in recent years has become as known
for his production—for the likes of Talib Kweli, Ludacris, and
Jay-Z—as his rapping. He’ll be at the Rialto Theatre, 318
E. Congress St., on Friday, June 26, along with Kurupt (Tha Dogg Pound), who starts off the all-ages show at 8 p.m. $25 in
advance, $29 on the day of the show; 740-1000.
Carbon Leaf, who have a rabid cult following, and whose music
Gene Armstrong once described in these pages as “gentle pop-rock for
30-something traditionalists who no longer need to be shocked or
threatened by music, who tend to ponder a well-phrased, introspective
lyric as they might a modest California wine,” arrive at Club
Congress, 311 E. Congress St., for a show on Saturday, June
27. Opening at 7 p.m. is Trevor Hall, whose debut album will
be released on Vanguard, on July 28. Hall, who has toured with
Matisyahu (the album’s first single, “Unity,” is a collaboration with
him), merges two beachcomber favorites: acoustic pop and reggae. $13 in
advance, $15 on the day of the show; 622-8848.
ON THE BANDWAGON
The Wyatts, Redlands and Loveland at
Plush on Friday, June 26; 2 Live Crew at the
Rialto Theatre on Sunday, June 28; Intocable at
AVA at Casino del Sol on Friday, June 26; Jose
Feliciano at Desert Diamond Casino on Monday, June
29; Triple Cobra at The Rock next Thursday, July
2; Prince tribute act Purple Reign (as seen on Letterman) at
the Paradiso Bar and Lounge at Casino del Sol next Thursday,
July 2; Led Zeppelin tribute act Whole Lotta Zep and Pink
Floyd tribute act Atom Heart Mother at O’Malley’s on
Saturday, June 27; 8 Minutes to Burn, The Tryst and Flagrante Delicto at Plush on Saturday, June
27; The Mission Creeps, Wolfman and the Nards and
The Stripper Killers at Vaudeville on Saturday, June
27.
Also, be sure to check out the fine lineup of shows this week at
The Red Room at Grill, which includes appearances by Monster
Pussy, Gamma Like Very Ultra, The Modeens,
Terraformation and Cassette Culture.
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2009.
