This month, the girls take advantage of the recent reemergence of cabaret-style burlesque shows by embarking on their first-ever tour. Billed as the Suicide Girls Burlesque Review, a collection of the site's principals will tout their assets on stages all across the country in front of undoubtedly enthusiastic crowds from San Fran to Buffalo, and roughly 40 stops in between, Tucson included. In keeping with the rock-culture motif, at each stop, a local band, which has been voted on at the Web site, will open the show. Tucson's lucky winners, as elected by you proud pervs, are The Deludes, who always satisfy in a live setting.
While we're not exactly sure what the hell the burlesque show will entail, Deludes singer/guitarist/ songwriter Larry Wawro has obtained inside info that supplies a taste of what we're in for. Among the items on the Suicide Girls' rider are chocolate syrup, duct tape and a tarp. Sounds enticing to us. (Don't get too excited, though. By law, nightclubs can't feature full-on nudity.)
The fun begins at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Advance tickets are available at the club and online at www.insound.com for $8. They'll be $10 on the day of the show. Those between the ages of 18 and 20 are welcome to attend, but they'll have to pay a $2 surcharge. Call 622-8848 for additional information.
NIGHTMARES, ANYONE?: A heck of a lot of otherwise unclassifiable bands are routinely described as "art-rock," but San Francisco's Sleepytime Gorilla Museum are about as arty and rockin' as it gets. Fronted by Idiot Flesh alumnus Nils Frykdahl, and featuring the virtuosic violin playing of Carla Kihlstedt, the band specializes in theatrical, supreme mindfuckery.
Just when you've been lulled into a safe, happy place via an ethereal passage, the combo will jolt you with a heady dose of downright frightening, meticulously arranged jazz/punk/metal/death-funk that'll have you inadvertently taking a couple steps away from the stage. Lather, rinse, repeat.
They're easily one of the scariest bands we've witnessed in several years (seriously, man, we're as jaded as anyone, and the last time we witnessed a SGM show, we nearly pissed our pants out of sheer fear), and the group is highly recommended to those with a thirst for the musically adventurous.
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum performs at Solar Culture Gallery, 31 E. Toole Ave., on Saturday, Jan. 10. S.D.A.R opens at 9 p.m. Admission to the all-ages show is $6. For more info call, 884-0874.
TRADING SPACES: In case you haven't heard, Fourth Avenue live music staple Plush is expanding and renovating its main room in order to accommodate bigger shows and the crowds they'll attract.
On Saturday, Jan. 10, the club hosts a Sand Rubies reunion gig, with Gila Bend and T 99 opening at 9 p.m. ($4 at the door), but the establishment will be closed to all except hired contractors for the next four days. The main room will remain dark until Jan. 21, but the club's lounge will re-open on Thursday, Jan. 15, with a performance at 10 p.m. from The Fashionistas ($2 cover).
Plush is located at 340 E. Sixth St., and all questions can be answered by dialing 798-1298.
BIRD BRAINS: Fans of drone-rock would do well to check out Northern California's Low Flying Owls this week. The quartet--comprising Jared Southard on vocals and guitars, Andy Wagner on guitars and keyboards, Michael Bruce on bass, and Sam Coe on drums--merges British shoegazer, Detroit garage rock and California psychedelic pop to arrive at a sound that recalls but doesn't imitate bands like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Dandy Warhols and even Mercury Rev. If you've been kicking yourself for missing out on last week's inspired performance by The Brian Jonestown Massacre--or alternately, if you were there and liked what you heard--redeem yourself by showing up at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Expect an opening band (not available at press time) to commence the proceedings around 9 p.m., and expect to fork over $4 to enter. Give 'em a ring at 622-8848 if you've got any questions.
HILLBILLY ROCK: After being forced to cancel a few shows due to drummer Matt Shannon being hit and dragged by a truck while riding his motorcycle (Mom always warned us to watch out for the undertow), drunken bumpkins The Hillwilliams cast their smile-inducing spell on the willing once again this week, in a headlining gig at Club Congress, on Friday, Jan. 9. Head to 311 E. Congress St. at 9 p.m. to catch an opening set from lauded Seattle combo the Dusty 45's. Cover'll set you back a fiver, and that number again is 622-8848.
