Tucson Weekly: Soundbites (December 17

Sound Bites WILL WORK FOR AIR: Against all prudent advice to the contrary, rumor has it a pirate vessel may be anxious to chart local airwaves anew, battling the gray waters of free speech and constitutional law. Say what? Write this down on a scrap of paper, memorize it and swallow the evidence: Something--it's absolutely not a benefit--is brewing for defunct Radio Limbo (103.1 FM). Let's call it an homage...to a station which has no further intention of committing any illegal broadcast activity.
There's an awesome lineup for the non-occasion: Al Perry, Calexico (heralded just last week in the weekend supplement of the Wall Street Journal as one of rock and roll's undiscovered gems), the Weird Lovemakers, Hypnagogia and Splendida, along with the Circus Wee-Wee Puppet Show. Assorted local deejays--who are in no way affiliated with the Station That Shall Remain Nameless--spin between sets. Cover is $6 at the door.
Show time is 8:30 p.m. Friday, December 18, at the Mat Bevel Institute, 530 N. Stone Ave. Posthumous Radio Limbo T-shirts and bumper stickers will be on sale, so bring some extra cash for the cause...of liquidating all remaining existing merchandise from the former maverick empire, which no longer has any equipment with which to broadcast. So there's nothing for the FCC to worry about.
BAND WAGON: Or avoid the men in black and head instead to 7 Black Cats, 260 E. Congress St., where James Dead, Creosote and Topless Opry turn this quiet little saloon into a wild rumpus on Friday.
Creosote, Tucson's favorite alt.country insurgents, fill the vacancy left last summer (by the departure of banjo player Mike Ahern) with the addition of Tim Gallagher on pedal steel. According to frontman Jason Steed, the new sound is "a little bit country, a little more rock, and a little less bluegrass."
Gallagher also fronts opening band Topless Opry, which we're banking on to start turning heads in the coming months. Topless Opry features Creosote's Timo on drums, and Mike Delaney on bass. Gallagher's voice, reminiscent of a young Johnny Cash, combines with his stellar acoustic guitar playing to create an interesting spin on the country music of yesteryear, delivering both originals and lesser-known country greats.
Big rock sadomasochists James Dead headline the whole shebang, and cover is a measly $3. Call 670-9202 for information.
If you just can't wait till the weekend, Creosote and Topless Opry also play on Thursday, December 17, at Third Stone, 500 N. Fourth Ave. Cover is $3. For details, call 628-8844.
And finally, 'tis the season to follow a star in the desert to behold the son of a holy one. Overkill? Maybe, but one of those musical anomalies you have to see to believe hits the stage every Monday night at the Wildcat House, 1801 N. Stone Ave., where the incomparable Zowie Bowie (young son of the Thin White Duke himself), with sidekick Amanda Star, brings those memorable '80s tunes to life with an eerily familiar voice and some snazzy red leather pants, to boot. The junior Bowie is serious about putting on a fun show all his own, and his growing following lends enthusiastic support when the management slides back the picnic tables to give them plenty of room to move. Still, it's pretty cute when he says nonchalantly, "This is one of my dad's songs," before launching into the likes of "Let's Dance." Call 622-1302 for more information.
NEW YEAR'S EVE: Calling all booking agents and club managers! We need to know your plans for New Year's Eve! Fax all information to 792-2096, no later than 5 p.m. Friday, December 18. As for you, fair readers, we'll pop the cork on our annual New Year's Eve guide in the December 23 issue.

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