“All we got to do is get a little faith in you/ Woah, I’ve been so many places I’ve seen some things (yes I have)/ I know that love is the answer (yes it is)/ Keeps holding this world together (oh yeah)/ Ain’t nothing better? Ain’t nothing better? (Nothing’s better!)/ And all the answers to our prayers/ Hell, it’s the same everywhere.”—Jefferson Starship, “Miracles.”When an airplane transforms into a starship, watch out! Miracles can and will happen. Maybe such mystical phenomena are even encouraged by the season; all sorts of things can happen in the brief days before winter when nighttime comes on quick and the dancing that follows is bright and bountiful.Music can probably push that proclivity along. With mere days before the sun of the Winter Solstice is ignited, it’s quite possible that one can pursue, encourage and bring to life all sorts of miraculous musical moments.Let’s take a look at those forces behind the power. Better yet, just show up; the sound and the scene will do the rest.
Show Up!: Thursday
This morning while writing this, our music reporter heard the song “Zoot Suit Riot” by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (yes, fellow rockers, that was the name of an LA rockabilly band back in the day) and it reminded him that there used to be quite a swinging—metaphorically speaking, of course—rockabilly, swing and ska scene right here in the Burkes. Bands like the Big Spank come to mind, but more on that next week. In the meantime, we present what’s on offer at Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) on Thursday, Dec. 12. Degenerated, a psychobilly outfit from Germany, headlines a foot-stomping bill that also includes legendary Colombian rockabilly guitarist Phil Rocker as well as Santa Fe’s DK & the Affordables. Rawk! 9pm • $10 • 21+.
Show Up!: Friday
You know, it’s quite all right to give into some of your holiday desires. No, don’t eat that entire plate of fudge; there are other officemates who may find such behavior to be just the other side of horrible. On the other hand, it’s perfectly fine—and quite proper, too—to listen to Christmas music until your head is filled with so many earworms disguised as sugar plums that you may not fall asleep before Santa’s arrival on the morning of Dec. 25. While you’re waiting for the big payoff, check out a Christmas concert by country music hitmakers Phil Vassar and Lonestar at The Showroom at Isleta Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE) on Friday, Dec. 13. These Nashville cats are sure to fill your stockings with sensational seasonal sounds. 8pm • $25 to $45 • 21+.
Show Up!: Saturday And Sunday
On Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15, the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra—under the baton of local master David Felberg and in conjunction with the Sandia Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir and Coro Lux Chamber Chorus—presents a set of seasonal sacred music concerts comprised of Handel’s Messiah at Immanuel Presbyterian Church (114 Carlisle Blvd. NE) on Friday and Sandia Presbyterian Church (10704 Paseo Del Norte NE) on Saturday. George Fredric Handel’s masterwork comprises a narrative telling of the nativity of Christ that follows his life and redemptive Spirit. The “Hallelujah Chorus” remains one of the season’s definitive statements of faith and this production of the Enlightenment-era baroque oratorio will be a transcendent tour de force according to sources at the Philharmonic. Show up with a song in your heart and depart with the spirit in there, too. 7:30pm Saturday; 3pm Sunday • $25 to $55 • 12+.
Show Up!: Sunday
Winter is coming. That’s not only a fact, Jack, but also the name of the locally made, song-soaked pop-punk and emo gig that’s due to hit Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) on Sunday, Dec. 15. The bands for this big, badass and substantially revelatory rock show include local pop-punk players Blow Up the Neigborhood. The band, featuring the smokin’ vocals of Dylan Ferrell, won this year’s Best of Burque Music Best Stage Presence Award and will rock the brains outta your skull with their heat-blasted version of “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” Also on the bill: Almost Always Never, Bubblegum Love Crush, Playing For You and The Lost Remotes. Rock and roll never sounded so wholesome, eh kidz? 5pm • $10 to $12 • 13+.
