Soundbites

MUSIC AND FUN BETWEEN HOLIDAYS

As seems to be a tradition in these parts, once again, we find ourselves with not much to do in that nether region between Christmas and New Year's Eve, right?

Well, not quite so fast: There are a few things going on, especially for punk fans and the rockabilly inclined.

First up, at Plush, 340 E. Sixth St., on Friday, Dec. 28: Tucson's spooky rockabilly cats and kittens The Dead Tones bring their Misfits-inspired reverbery to the headlining slot. The show will also feature opening sets from former Tucsonans and current Phoenicians Sketching in Stereo, whose brand of emo-ish indie-rock sounds a bit more like Phoenix than Tucson, anyway. And opening the show is Tucson's Jumper, a two-chicks-and-a-dude trio that specializes in bubblegum punk. (As of press time, Plush's Web site lists Thee Oh No's on the bill instead of Sketching in Stereo, but we've been informed by Jumper's Karen Mihina that our info is correct.)

Things get rolling at 9:30 p.m., and cover is $4. Questions? The number to call is 798-1298.

Then, on the following night, Vaudeville Cabaret, 110 E. Congress St., has a similarly rockin' show to keep those idle hands occupied between holidays. Psychobilly combo Left for Dead headline the gig, with Last Call Brawlers, Allie's Mitt and The Assailants providing punk and rockabilly along the way. This one should start sometime around 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, and you can call 622-3535 to get more info.

And if you're still functional by the time New Year's Day rolls around and haven't quite gotten your fill of the nasty stuff, you might want to check out Dry River Collective's Ska/Psycho/Punk Fest, which is described on Dry River's Web site as "an extravaganza of mythic proportions." Scheduled bands include the Tics, Civil Disobedience, Shotgun Royale, the F-Holes, Devil's Sideshow, Recovering Creeps, AIDS Free and, as if that wasn't enough, more to be announced. You're also urged to bring along your holiday leftovers to contribute to a potluck dinner ('cause punks get hungry, too).

This one starts at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1. Dry River is located at 740 N. Main St. (at the corner of University Boulevard). For more info, head to the Dry River Web site.


CALEXI ... CAN'T!

The good news: Once again, Calexico and friends will set up shop at the Temple and Music and Art this week for their annual holiday benefit show, on Friday, Dec. 28, to be exact. The bad news: As of press time, the show is sold out. We'll keep our fingers crossed that a friend of yours bought an extra ticket and is feeling generous this holiday season.

Ryanhood are also performing their annual Christmas show at Club Congress the same night--a fine alternative option. Check out City Week for more details about that.


SOME 3 1/2 DECADES OF FUN!

Fee Waybill brings his tubular Tubes to town this week, just in time to get you primed for the New Year. While latter-day Tubes shows aren't quite the spectacle they once were (i.e., there are few, if any, dancing girls in leather teddies), they're still awfully damn fun, and the band plays all the songs from their 35-year career that you plunked down your admission to hear ("White Punks on Dope," "She's a Beauty," "Talk to Ya Later," "Sushi Girl," "Mondo Bondage" ... oh, we could go on and on).

Showtime for this all-ages show is 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 30, at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Advance tix are $19; they'll be $21 on the day of the show. Call 740-1000 for further details or to charge tickets.


REPLACE RED AND GREEN WITH GREEN AND BLUE

One Jamie O'Brien, a recent Tucson transplant via Pennsylvania, e-mailed a week or two ago to let us know that his band, Shades of Green and Blue, which is still based out East, will be playing a couple of local shows this week.

Here's a brief excerpt from his message: "The trio Shades of Green and Blue began life around 2003 when we started drawing together songs and tunes which had originated in the British Isles and made their way across to Appalachia. Since then, our repertoire has expanded greatly as we have incorporated other influences, both traditional and contemporary--though we still retain our original ideas: where Americana meets Celtic."

If that sounds up your alley, here are your two chances to catch Shades of Green and Blue: tonight, Thursday, Dec. 27, at 7:30 p.m., at It's a Grind Coffeehouse, 8260 N. Cortaro Road. Call 744-1784 for more info. Or: Friday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m., at Old Town Artisans Courtyard, 201 N. Court Ave. Get details by calling 623-6024.

For more information about the band or the shows, head to launies.com.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Be sure to check our New Year's Guide, in the middle of the print issue or scattered throughout the online version, for the lowdown on New Year's Eve musical options.

Finally, here's wishing all of you a very happy, healthy and safe 2008.