Capital Vices: Seven deadly awesome weekend events

Lust

The Oh Sees, Baths, The Runaway 5 at Solar Culture

On Saturday, those of us whose appetite for garage and psychedia was merely whetted by the tribute to Warhol and the Friki Tiki fest can rejoice in this bill, playing its way from its home in the Bay Area to Austin's South by Southwest.

Founded by singer/songwriter/ guitarist John Dwyer, Thee Oh Sees play pure, driving psychedelia with an edge. The heavy, masculine sound is augmented by the vocal harmonies of Brigid Dawson, whose voice joins with Dwyer's to create a kind of John Doe Exene vibe at moments, and a more psychedelic, Mamas and Papas vibe at others.

Baths are a bit further left, deconstructing song structure and showing a heavy postpunk noise element; heavily influenced by Manchester legends The Fall, the band quotes Mark E. Smith on their Myspace page: "Repetition, repetition, repetition." Like Smith's, the lyrics here are both weighty and cryptic: "Desolate country can be the playground/ of the malnourished sick, of the mind-numbing typical here."

The Oh Sees and Baths play Solar Culture Saturday at 9 pm, 31 E. Toole Ave. This all-ages show opens with locals The Runaway 5.

Gluttony

South By Meow West at the Hangart

On Sunday, Monster Pussy's Mullarkey has assembled a formidable roster of bands to play an all-ages mini-fest at the Hangart. In addition to playing with his own band, Mullarkey has chosen his bill well. Black metal/classical hybrid Judgment Day, whose latest CD "Dark Opus" is an album-length composition filled with surprising moments, as distorted power chords give way to a flurry of strings. 

The UK's Thee Vicars bring their throwback 60s sound, recalling The Who at moments, early Stones and Kinks at others. The evening closes with former locals Acorn Bcorn (formerly of the Beta Sweat/ Sweat Band).

The highlight of the showcase may well be Olympia's Lazer Zeppelin, whose spaced-out psychedelic take on Americana is layered and thoughtful. The voices of Sara Blumenthal and Alexis Deccecco provide a tripped-out version of that high and lonesome sound of bluegrass, as the band plays quirky slocore with lots of incidental instrumentation.

South By Meow West is also a potluck vegetarian feast, and is family-friendly. The show kicks off at 3 pm at the Hangart, 512 N. Echols Ave. There is a $5 cover for 9 bands. Check the event site for full lineup and info.

Greed

Tucson Open Studio tour/ Dinnerware reopening

Tucsonans have every reason to feel acquisitive as the art scene continues to flourish despite economic hardship. This weekend brings another open studio tour, as well as the reopening of the Dinnerware Gallery in its new digs Saturday evening.

Some highlights along the tour include an exhibition opening at the Shane House, 218 S. 4th Ave, featuring the photographs of Krysta Jabczenski and the paintings of Topher Mileski, and a stop at the Toole Shed, 197 E. Toole Ave, where you can stop in on artists Andrew Shuta and Lawrence Gipe in their work spaces.

The Dinnerware show brings together six local artists in the new space at the Citizens Warehouse, which features a pink concrete floor.

The Open Studio Tour runs Saturday and Sunday 11-5. Dinnerware's new location is 44 W. 6th St. The opening is Saturday from 7-9 p.m.

Sloth

Video Games Live TM with Tucson Symphony Orchestra

On Saturday and Sunday, gamers everywhere can emerge from their darkened basements and head over to Tucson Music Hall, where all their favorite theme songs will be played by Video Games Live, along with the TSO. On the program are the classic soundtracks to Zelda, Halo, Final Fantasy, Warcraft, Sonic and many more.

Each performance will be preceded by a pre-concert festival, including a costume contest, Guitar Hero contest and a meet-and-greet with game composers and designers. Tickets are running low for this event.

Video Games Live and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra perform Saturday at 7:30 (fest starts at 6) and Sunday at 2 (fest starts at 12:30) at the TCC's Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Check TSO's website for more info.

Wrath

Cine Plaza at the Fox Theatre

The Cine Plaza opened in 1929 on a site now occupied by the Tucson Convention Center. The Fox, which opened a year later, revives the Plaza's legacy with a Sunday film series, kicking off with the Dolores Del Rio/Maria Felix feature, 1959's "La Cucaracha." The film, a melodrama celebrating the Mexican Revolution, was directed by Ismael Rodriguez and filmed in Durango, Mexico. "La Cucaracha" is truly emblematic Mexican cinema of its time.

Cine Plaza at the Fox, 17 W. Congress St. "La Cucaracha plays Sunday at 2 p.m. Call 547-3040 for more info.

Envy

Music Swapmeet at the Rialto Theatre

If you're one of those people who jealously eyes the formidable music collections of your friends, as we Sentinel staffers frequently find ourselves doing, this event is for you.

In addition to lots of classic vinyl and tons of CDs, the event also features music memorabilia and musical equipment. While these vendors know their stuff, there will surely be some ganga deals to be found if you search through the stacks thoroughly. And in this age of disposable, invisible song files, there is nothing like the genuine article, a real 12-inch record, to reignite your love of music.

Music Swapmeet Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Admission is free; call 740-1000 for more info.

Pride

The worst of the cardinal sins is pride, but we can't help but be proud of the roster of live music options for Monday night. Monday may not qualify as the weekend, but with spring and all, we thought we should hip you to all the goings on around town that night. Perhaps you can even get to more than one, if you time things right. And you can always use a sick day Tuesday if you stay out too late.

Most of these bands are on their way to South By Southwest, which explains the embarrassment of riches on a weeknight.

At Solar Culture, 31 E. Toole Ave., Scots A Sunny Day in Glasgow bring their shoegaze-laden electronica, featuring the spacey vocals of twins Lauren and Robin Daniels. Music Video? opens the show.

Plush, 340 E. 6th St, has an incredible four-band bill for their WxSW collaboration with Club Congress. The headliners, Portland indie trio Quasi, are one of the better bands to hit town in quite awhile. Their songs have an infectious pop sensibility without relinquishing their roots in indie territory (drummer Janet Weiss was with Sleater-Kinney for awhile, and newer addition Joanna Bolme played with the Jicks.) Also on Plush's Monday roster are Explode Into Colors, The Ruby Suns and Toro y Moi. Admission is $8, and will also get you in down the street at Club Congress.

Club Congress presents a triple bill as part of their WxSW festival, including Delta Spirit, Or, the Whale and Maldives. Or, the Whale is particularly compelling, with their gentle alt-country sound and soaring harmonies.