Remember last week? When I mentioned it was the drab season for live music? How I said it was one of the slowest weeks of the year?
Well, I lied. Not intentionally, but I just hadn't looked ahead yet to this week, which will from here on out be called Death Week, since it really is that lame.
And yet, the locals (as well as a brave touring act or two) have got you covered here and there. Here's what the week ahead looks like.
NEW RELEASES
There's a few local albums being dropped this week.
You can read about a couple of them—Andrew Collberg and Sutcliffe Catering Co.—in this week's Rhythm and Views.
The bloody-eardrum-inducing North will play a tour kickoff show, which will also feature Godhunter, Anakim, and Territory, at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., on Friday, Jan. 3. The event doubles as a release party for the split 7-inch featuring Godhunter and Anakim, so bring an extra few bucks for it.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and there is no cover charge.
Two local reggae bands are playing a release party, but only one of them has a new product to shill.
Planet Jam, the local band that doses up its reggae with world music sounds—most notably Middle Eastern—will release Light at the End of the Tunnel (self-released) at a show on Friday, Jan. 3. The show is also a release party for Planet Jam member Marius Todirita, who will be releasing an album of Bob Marley interpretations the same night. Opening the show is 8 Minutes to Burn, who will take the stage at The Hut, 305 N. Fourth Ave., at 10 p.m. Admission is free. If you have any questions, ring 'em up at 623-3200.
BACK IN TOWN
Perhaps you remember Charlie Faye form the month she spent in Tucson a couple years ago.
At that point, she was conducting a musical experiment of sorts: Spend a month in a city on a checklist; get to know the local musicians well enough to entice them to record a song with her; then move on to the next town and start over again.
Tucson was her first stop on this venture, and she had no trouble enlisting local musicians to help her out by taking part on the project. She's since come through on a victory lap of sorts, hitting all the cities in which she recorded.
This week she'll pair up with Billy Sedlmayr, with whom she was co-billed the last time she played in town, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 4. Admission is free. For more info, head to hotelcongress.com/club or call 622-8848.
THANK YOUS ALL AROUND
Thanks to all who contributed in any way to the success of this year's 15th anniversary Great Cover-Up! Tucson, you fucking rock! If you were there, you know. If not, come see us next year.
So, multiple shout-outs are in order: Mel Mason and Matt Milner—who were the consensus MVPs, and are fantastic people to do business or work with as anyone could ever wish for. I'm part of the old-school group where lazy-louts like myself, Curtis McCrary from the Rialto Theatre, Hotel Congress' David Slutes and the Rialto's Kris Kerry flounder about, trying to simply make the work. Matt and Mel make sure it does.
We'd also like to thank our gracious sponsors: Chicago Music, which just plain rules (and whose new exterior looks positively awesome); old glam looks awfully good on you; 91.3 KXCI-FM for helping to promoting it; and Tucson Weekly for doing the same.
Thanks, too, to Plush, Club Congress, and the Rialto Theatre, none of which has ever charged a penny to play host for a night.
The three-night even wracked up $5308 for SAAMHA, our benefiary. Not bad, people. Thanks for coming out!
There wouldn't be a Great Cover-Up if it weren't for you, who donate your money each year, or this year's list of participants, all of which donated their time: The Cordials, Garboski, The Pork Torta, Katie Haverly (of Copper and Congress), The Socials, Penny and the Dreadfuls, Proper Operator, D Wall, Sugar Stains, The Monitors, Human Behavior, The David Clark Band, Leila Lopez, Chris Black, El Goodo, The Rail Callers, Spacefish, Deschtuco., Sun Bones, Cheepness, LeAnne Savage & the Curveball Cowboys, Crosscut Saw, Kaia Chesney & Friends, Gat-Rot, Algae & Tentacles, Some of Them Are Old, and Roman Barton-Sherman & Friends ...
Thank you, bands! Thank you all!
ON THE BANDWAGON
Jonny Lang and Honor by August at the Rialto Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 8; Netherfriends, Glass Affection, and Monster Moonlite at Plush on Tuesday, Jan. 7; Moodie Black, Jivin Scientists, Oddateee, Jaca Zulu, and Big Meridox at Club Congress on Tuesday, Jan. 7; Islander, As We Watch Them Fall, Until the Avalanche and more at The Rock on Wednesday, Jan. 8; the Sonoran Dogs and Friends at The Stage at Monterey Court on Saturday, Jan. 4; the Sundowners at La Cocina on Saturday, Jan. 4; D. Wall and the Awkward Moments at Plush on Friday, Jan. 3; Medicine Singing Ceremony with Philip Cash Cash at the Galactic Center on Saturday, Jan. 4; Harlette and the Modern Street Cars at Plush on Saturday, Jan. 4; Optimist Club Denim Party at Club Congress next Thursday, Jan. 9; Black Cherry Burlesque at Surly Wench Pub on Friday, Jan. 3.
