Blackbird Buvette serves up an inaugural springtime rock and roll bash on its tiny back porch. It’s pretty cramped, but it’s as close to a DIY basement show as you can get … while having drinks served. This show is a who’s-who of the best garage rockers still standing (no overdoses or wheelchairs). Drum legend Joe Bolt debuts The Blackout Disciples' dark and dirty rock sans evil posturing. Other Dirty Novels alums—Dandee Fleming and Brian Keith—and Demarcus Sumter (St. Petersburg), Billy Miles Brooke (Pan!c) and Ben Woods (Porter Draw) make up the group. Punk and roll outfit Get Action (formerly Riley Switch) features bad boy Bill Bunting (Ten Seconds to Liftoff), Scott Brown (Song Thing) and Ashley Floyd and Jeff Jones (both ex-Gracchi). Newcomers Hoverbourd tag themselves as surf-indie-dance-rock, and that works for me, especially with a horn thrown into the mix. Despite bountiful local talent, I’m most excited about Schwervon! from Shawnee, Kan., by way of New York City. Now in their 13th year, guitarist Major Matt Mason and drummer Nan Turner’s music ranges from sweet jangle-pop to ear-shattering racket. Keep a few bucks stashed in your wallet to score Schwervon! merch, including the brilliant, new Courage and '09’s sweet and lilting Low Blow. Blackbird Buvette • Wed May 15 • 10 pm • free • View on Alibi calendar

Wes Naman

I've watched Little Bobby Tucker for years, and I've listened very carefully. I don't mind attesting to the fact that his latest solo effort pushes him over the edge; it's equal parts concept album, dance album and confessional. It's all psychology and honesty. Each song involves a musical and historical depth and layering that works under the guise of simplicity to obscure the weird complexity Bobby creates. In each song, said complexity deals with a woman in his life, and women are always in his life; there are undertones of sex and wine. A little anger is let go, like a note floated down the river, but the overall stamp is, “It is what it is.” One line I had to listen to over and over again really sums up his positive spin on what some would consider negative experiences: “Don't give up so quickly on me.” Admission to the 21-and-over release party—also starring Venus Bogardus, Mr. and Mrs. Jones and Blackout Disciples—costs $5 and includes a copy of the CD. Launchpad • Fri May 10 • 9 pm • $5 • View on Alibi calendar

• Little Bobby... (black) [ Mon May 13 2013 12:08 PM ]
  

We have Swans' leader and Young God Records founder Michael Gira to thank for bringing the psych-tinged, harmony-laden, folk-inflected experimental rock of akron/family to the mainstream. The group's new album, Sub Verses, is slated for an April 29 release on Dead Oceans, and it's a thoroughly engaging release. akron/family will undoubtedly grace their Duke City audience with glimpses of this homespun yet futuristic full-length tonight at Low Spirits (2823 Second Street NW). East Los Angeles-based M. Geddes Gengras explores electro-acoustic phenomena, process-based sound design and digital/analog concrète music and has collaborated with the likes of The Congos and Sun Araw. Gengras opens what promises to be a concert of rarefied beauty and depth. The 21-and-over recital starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $12. Low Spirits • Tue Apr 9 • 9 pm • $12 • View on Alibi calendar

Cobra//group first materialized in the high desert in 2004. Nine years later, what may be the Southwest's largest “non-classical nor mariachi” band continues conjuring an unorthodox, radical sound. In 2010, three massive tracks were recorded by 18 members under their new nom de guerre, Death Convention Singers. To create this latest, self-titled work, 10 bass guitars, two drum kits, a banjo, a clarinet, a turntable toy and a violin were all jacked into an enormous mixer and deejayed using the board’s mute function. I dug this album, but Brujasis my all-time favorite entry in their catalog; listen to it in the dark, and you'll see what I mean: bit.ly/dcsbrujas. Naming all the members takes up too much dead tree space, but at least 15 of them are slated to perform. This concert takes the vs. format to a whole new level with simultaneous improv performances by DCS-adjacent projects: Alchemical Burn, Bigawatt, Fando, (H)Ohm, I CUM DRUMS, Ipytor Gavyen Machislav, Lionhead Bunny and TAHNZzz. Out-of-this-world opener Space Station Gusher meshes Gusher, Uranium Worker, Heyisayfuckyou and more. This 21-and-over gig cranks up at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 29, and admission is only five bucks. Launchpad • Fri Mar 29 • 9 pm • $5 • 21+ • View on Alibi calendar

lastfm.com

Combat those ol' midweek blues with an aural sampling of New Orleans. On Wednesday, March 6, self-described “gypsy brass circus rock” quintet Dirty Bourbon River Show brings sounds reminiscent of the Crescent City to the high desert. Melding blues, circus soundscapes, folk, gypsy, Latin, rock and roll and traditional New Orleans brass band styles, the group has been fervently purveying its gumbo genre since forming in early 2009. This jambalaya juggernaut's touring schedule is très heavy, and the outfit has five studio albums under its collective belt. After hundreds of concerts, Dirty Bourbon River Show may not have perfected their performance style and persona, but these fellows can certainly put on a damn fine and thoroughly entertaining show. Find out for yourself tonight night at Low Spirits. The 21-and-over gig kicks off at 9 p.m., and admission is $7. Low Spirits • Wed Mar 6 • 9 pm • $7 • View on Alibi calendar

Most everyone has heard Detroit sextet Electric Six's anthemic track “Gay Bar,” but not everyone realizes the band has continued to regularly release strong material throughout its 14-year career. Blurring arena rock, disco, glam and synth pop, Electric Six proves its mettle tonight at Launchpad, along with Long Island, New York-based alt.rock quintet Gabriel the Marine and local controversy-soaked blood-surfers Glitter Dick. The amps crank up at 9:30 p.m., and admission to the 21-and-over gig is $12. Abraham Lincoln beards and lamé pants are highly recommended. Launchpad • Wed Feb 20 • 9:30 pm • $12 • View on Alibi calendar

American Romantic author Edgar Allen Poe's stories of love and horror have long inspired sonic interpretation. Composers like André Caplet, Rachmaninoff and Nikita Koshkin all created aural tributes to his work. Modern music is likewise littered with references to the macabre maven's tales. From country and folk singers like Jim Reeves, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez to metal acts like Nightwish, Iron Maiden and Cradle of Filth, songs influenced by Poe's yarns are omnipresent. As part of the 2013 Poe Festival, local musicians gather to pay homage to the writer at Blackbird Buvette (509 Central NW) tomorrow night. Starting at 10 p.m., Ladies Society of Grenadiers, The Great Depression, Barney Lopez, Chris Walsh and Ryan Sciarrotta rock “The Bells” at this free, 21-and-over concert. Blackbird Buvette • Sat Feb 9 • 10 pm • FREE • 21+ • View on Alibi calendar

Thrash metal five-piece Overkill has been shredding since 1980. Over the past three decades, the membership has gone through several transformations. Experience the distilled product of 30 years of cacophony tonight at Sunshine Theater (120 Central SW). Blackened thrash foursome Torture Victim, death metal trio Suspended and thrash traditionalist quartet The Conjuring contribute the local heavy. The 13-and-over gig kicks off at 8 p.m., and tickets are $15. Stretch your neck and pack your earplugs, all you heavy people. Sunshine Theatre • Mon Feb 4 • 8 pm • $15 • View on Alibi calendar

PHOTO BY DREW REYNOLDS

Indie rock outfit Pinback hail from sunny San Diego and—much like the oceanside climate—the act's sonic makeup can induce smiles and satisfied sighs. Named for a character in John Carpenter's spaced-out odyssey Dark Star, Pinback's catalog begs comparison to a number of acts, but the band ultimately sounds exactly like no one else. The group performs at Sunshine Theater (120 Central SW) tomorrow along with Oakland, Calif.-based string-metal trio Judgement Day. The 13-and-over show kicks off at 8 p.m. and tickets are $16. Sunshine Theatre • Wed Jan 30 • 8 pm • $16 • View on Alibi calendar

• Darn snow! Pinback stuck in Colorado (Samantha) [ Wed Jan 30 2013 2:18 PM ]
  

Left to Rot

Shake off the post-holiday, too-many-biscochitos blues at a cacophonous showcase on Wednesday. Left to Rot hail from Laguna Pueblo and deliver death metallurgy with precision and dexterity. Blackened grind foursome End to End, death punk/thrash four-piece Torture Victim, upstart Perverted Virtue and red corn syrup-doused The Rot Inn, of the New Mexico Thrash Zone, also shred. Don't spend so much time futzing with your coiffure or eyeliner that you neglect to bring some hearing protection. This show will get loud. The 21-and-over concert kicks off at 9:30 p.m. at Launchpad (618 Central SW). Admission is only $4. Launchpad • Wed Dec 26 • 9:30 pm • $4 • View on Alibi calendar

Photo by Megan Thompson

Alternative music and hip-hop rarely mesh well, but when done right, the combination is a praiseworthy feat. Linkin Park tried for years and—though mainstream America may disagree—they never quite pulled it off. Charles Andrew Bothwell’s brainchild, Austronautalis, excels for a couple of reasons. First, he’s an insightful songwriter (see “Measure the Globe”). Sure, there are many serious hip-hop artists, but not a lot of alt. ones. Another reason is that Austronautalis doesn’t travel the ironic road. At first, I thought his songs might be a joke, but soon saw that the subject matter is legit, which makes his work profound. And he adds just the right amount of fuzz to keep things interesting. Bothwell will drop his “indie-folk-historical-fiction-hip-hop” at this 13-and-over gig. Launchpad • Mon Dec 17 • 7:30 pm • $10 • View on Alibi calendar

Courtesy of Deschutes Brewery

The guys from Deschutes Brewery, purveyor of Mirror Pond Ale and Obsidian Stout, are in town for Base Camp Week, a craft beer celebration. There will be events all around town, from a White IPA release party at Seasons Rotisserie & Grill to a tasting at Jubilation, and appearances by, um, "a giant traveling beer barrel named Woody." But the event I'm most excited about is the Hats Off to Homebrewers workshop tonight at O'Niell's Pub on Juan Tabo. Deschutes brewer David Brendgard will be offering advice to local do-it-your-selfers on improving their beer. He'll also be giving away recipe books, bags of hops and other complimentary brewing supplies. A crew from La Cumbre Brewing will be on tap to talk shop, too. Plus, O'Niell's will offer a special menu starting at 6 p.m. and pair it with selected beers for the occasion. $20 gets you in the door—$15 if you're a member of the American Homebrewers Association. O'Niell's Pub, Northeast Heights • 5-8 pm • $15-$20 • 21+ • deschutesbrewery.com

Tonight, SuperGiant, Anesthesia, Requiem Mass, Caustic Lye, Suspended, Until Chaos, Echoes Of Fallen, Torture Victim, Eve of an End and The Ground Beneath pay their respects to Kirsten Landeau and Dillon Cearfoss. The two, aunt and nephew, were tragically killed in August. Landeau was a member of the Duke City Darlin's, a charitable group of tattooed and pierced women that works with the local music community to better the world. Entry is $10 to the 21+ show, and proceeds benefit the family. Launchpad • 5 pm • $10 • 21+

New Mexico-born, Austin-bred trio The Angel Babies is embarking on a five-city tour in support of the threesome's self-titled full-length debut. The second stop is Burque, specifically the monthly rock and roll-centric No Fun Dance Party (hosted by DJ Bea and, coincidentally, Alibi music editor DJ Cassyle). Available in limited-press vinyl at the show, the album is a diverse listen. Its 12 songs range from postmodern corrido-style numbers to fuzzy, electronics-laced rockers to slow-burning and darkly ethereal tunes. New Mexico native Frankie Medina (Dirty Hearts, The Kill Spectors) and Calida Salazar share vocal duties. Preview the album at tinyurl.com/angelbabies. This 21-and-over party is a prime opportunity to prove to your naysaying friends that one can totally rock spurs and bolo ties with Chelsea boots.

View in Alibi calendar

Posted to Alibi's Flickr photo pool by booksin.

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