SHAGGY ROCK
While Gene Armstrong's review in this issue of the latest album by Amandine may not have you rushing the doors of Solar Culture Gallery, 31 E. Toole Ave., for the band's show on Friday, April 14, let us hereby give you proper incentive to do so. Opening that all-ages show at 9 p.m. is one Sam Jayne, frontman for Love as Laughter, which holds the unenviable distinction of being perhaps the most criminally underrated act on the Sub Pop roster.Jayne began his recording career in cultish indie faves Lync, before taking on the Love as Laughter name--originally as a solo project, and eventually as a full-fledged band. After releasing a pair of cassettes, then another pair of hit-and-miss albums on K Records (1996's The Greks Bring Gifts and 1998's #1 U.S.A. ), the band put out a trio of albums on Sub Pop--Destination 2000 (1999), Sea to Shining Sea (2001) and last year's Laughter's Fifth--each one better than the last. The band pretty much does everything under the indie-rock umbrella, and does it well: stomping, rootsy rock; to '60s-influenced pop instrumental detours that manage to keep the listener's attention a la Doug Marstch; to garage-glam rave-ups. Best of all, it's apparent on these three releases that Jayne and company never take themselves too seriously, though they're obviously serious as a heart attack about creating captivating, shaggy rock music that is downright addictive.
A few years ago, Jayne moved to New York, where he regularly performs solo acoustic shows, which is exactly what he'll be doing in his opening slot here. Admission is $6. The number to call for more info is 884-0874.
BUT WILL THERE BE SPANKINGS?
What are the odds that three of Tucson's most active and prominent musicians were born on the same day? Apparently better than one might think.Saturday, April 15 is not only the traditional day by which your tax returns must be postmarked; it's also the birthday of Danny Walker, David Slutes and Cliff Kuhn. Where most musician types might merely hold court at a local watering hole, demanding that drinks be brought to them with regularity, these three will celebrate the occasion by performing with their respective bands: Molehill Orkestrah (Kuhn); The Pork Torta (Walker), whose set will feature Al Perry singing some of his own old stuff, a bunch of covers and Torta favorites (Al Perry fronting The Pork Torta on "Jammy Pac?" Sounds like a dream David Lynch might have after a night of absinthe--count us in!); and Little Sisters of the Poor (Slutes getting all sensitive and semi-acoustic on yer ass).
The Triple Threat Birthday Blowout hits Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., starting at 9 p.m. Admission is $5. Call 622-8848 for more information.
A MOVING SHOW
In case you haven't heard by now, the Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers show originally scheduled to hit City Limits on Friday, April 14, has been moved to the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. If you purchased tickets online at ticketmaster.com, you have already been refunded, but for your troubles, you'll receive a $5 discount off your ticket price at the Rialto, as long as you can provide documentation. Those who bought tickets at the City Limits box office will have their tickets honored at the door.The Wyatts open the show at 8 p.m. Tickets in advance or at the door will be $20. If you still have questions, feel free to ring 'em up at 740-1000.
BELOVED BY LESBIAN SEAGULLS EVERYWHERE
No one encapsulates the gold medallion-wearing, hairy-chested, deep-voiced singers of the '70s as much as Engelbert Humperdinck, whose very name makes me cringe. When I really wanna creep out my girlfriend, I sing the couplet that opened his biggest hit, the 1976 smash "After the Lovin'" (must be sung in a deep, deep voice with smarmy overtones for proper effect): "So I sing you to sleep / after the lovin'." Eeew!Middle-aged lovahs just might want to spill their cash on tickets for the Dinckster, who kicks off the outdoor concert season at AVA at Casino Del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18. Tickets will run you anywhere from $20 to $45, available in advance at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling 321-1000. For more info, call 838-6700.
THIS SHOW'S STARTING 131 MINUTES EARLY
Though she's probably best remembered as one half of the duo Azure Ray and a primary member of Now It's Overhead, Maria Taylor has, in fact, contributed to works by Moby, Bright Eyes and Crooked Fingers, as well. In other words, even if you don't recognize her name, you've probably heard her voice somewhere. Last year, she released 11:11, her first solo album, on Saddle Creek.Maria Taylor headlines an all-ages show that begins at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, with openers 13 Ghosts and Kites at Solar Culture Gallery, 31 E. Toole Ave. Admission is $7. Call 884-0874 for more info.
VIVA VIOLA!
L.A. five-piece (and that fifth piece is a viola player!) Get Set Go land at The Red Room at Grill, 100 E. Congress St., on Monday, April 17, to promote their recent album, Ordinary World (TSR, 2006), an upbeat pop affair--unless you actually pay attention to the lyrics, which are chock full of despair, angst and misery. Admission is free. Call 623-7621 for details.
EXIT 'WIZARD OF OZ'; ENTER LASERS!
Um, did anyone out there know that laser shows, synchronized to rock music, still existed? I mean, I can still remember my grandma taking me to see one at the planetarium in St. Louis when I was 6 years old (and I say this with certainty, because they played "Dream Weaver," which was a current hit at the time), and then going to see another one at the UA in the late '80s (far less impressive, despite the Southern Comfort). But, here? Now? In the age of computers, and CGI, and all that other stuff that I don't understand? A good, old-fashioned laser show?Apparently the Paramount Original LaserSpectacular--18 years and running--is not just a good, old-fashioned laser show; it's the best damn laser show in the country (and claims to be "not only the world's longest touring laser show, but the LONGEST TOURING THEATER SHOW IN HISTORY!"). We'll let the folks at the Guinness Book of World Records decide that, but if you've been hoarding some hallucinogenics for a while, and you dig the crazy sounds of Pink Floyd, this shit has your name all over it, dawg!
The Paramount Original LaserSpectacular featuring the music of Pink Floyd begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. All ages are welcome, and $20 gets you a reserved seat. Call 740-1000 for more details.
