Tucson sounds: More new music with the Minds!
Local blues rock, alt-country, & more local music news
-
courtesy of the bandThe Unday perform live on Historic Fourth Avenue in Tucosn -
courtesy of the bandThe Minds: Jon Venet, Mark Mason and John Booth
The Minds
While the commercial entertainment industry may value youth above all, often the most talented folks in a local live scene are the ones who've been playing the longest.
Case in point, local protopunk-influenced band the Minds, composed of local music vets Mark Mason, John Venet and John Booth. The band's first release "All Out" evoked thoughts of bands like Jonathan Richman, the Ramones and the Velvet Underground.
The Minds' second album, "All In," shows a bit more '70s heavy rock, early metal and power pop influence this time around, with a bit more Blue Oyster Cult, and Zeppelin showing than their earlier CBGBs-worshipping sound on tracks such as "Like Water," "Katia" and "the Mocking Song." Robert Plant-esque vocal treatments and harmonies abound and arena rock-inspired guitar solos abound. And throughout it all, it's clear these guys are having a blast.
While the album is not yet available via Spotify, iTunes and the like, it can be streamed in its entirety via the band's website at mindsband.com/listen.
Catch the Minds next Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1702 Pizza at 8 p.m. In true '70s rock band style, the band will play the new album in its entirety.
The Unday
The Unday, the prog and alt-rock influenced guitar and viola ensemble led by Deanna Cross and Clovis Jako has always been slow, steady and careful in releasing new content, sometimes going years between releases. Lately, though, the band has been hard at work at local recording space Luna Studios, and the results are proving to be well worth the wait.
The Unday unveils their newest release, the song Continuum, this Friday, Nov. 8, available on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube. The band also will host their first-ever live performance on KXCI Radio's Locals Only on Monday night, Nov. 11 at 9 p.m. on 91.3 FM.
Shit Knife
Shit Knife is back and they have merch for you! The punk/heavy rock-inspired brainchild of guitarist/songwriter Neil Kight includes an all-star local cast of characters including John Read (Juju Fontaine) on bass, Isacc Reyes (Lenguas Largas) on vocals and Rocco "Pizza Guy" DiGrazia on drums. Check out the band's debut cassette release, recorded at Waterworks and released on Midtown Island Records. A release show takes place this Friday night as part of Brodie's Sonidos de Lunas series of monthly shows. This reporter got her hot little hands on a copy of the cassette in advance and highly recommends it.
Shit Knife plays Brodie's this Friday, Nov. 8 at 9 p.m. with support from the Maybe Next Years and the Dead Writers.
Two very different kinds of fests...
October is over, but, alas, fest season isn't, as yet another boutique music festival gets underway this weekend.
Dusk Music Festival is now in its third year in Downtown Tucson. The "music, arts and gastronomy" event takes place this weekend at Armory Park and features nationally and internationally known talent, including Kaskade, Rezz, Two Door Cinema Club, Fitz and the Tantrums, Nocturnal Theory and more.
Dusk Music Festival takes place in Armory Park from 2-11 p.m. this Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10.
Meanwhile, also happening this Saturday is a fest of a very different kind. The fourth annual Musicians for Veterans event aims to raise money for homeless veterans and includes a rather large lineup consisting of local bands including Chalako, Escape Goat, Stubborn Old Bastard, Skoville, the Roilers, the Sindicate, the DUI Squad, Another Round, Copper Magma, Bypass 92, Snake Foot, and Widow's Hill.
Musicians for Veterans takes place Saturday, November 9 beginning at noon at Todd Harris Sports Complex on Craycroft.
Also happening this week..
New Zealand indie pop rocker Jonathan Bree comes to town this week, playing the Hotel Congress Plaza this Sunday night, November 10 at p.m. with support from Ryder the Eagle, and that saddest of musical reptile overlords, Sad Reptilian.
Also gracing the Congress stage this week are Lenguas Largas along with their festival mates at this year's Goner Fest, Memphis garage rockers Nots. That show takes place Monday night November 11 at Club Congress, with an opening set by Soft Shoulder.
Lates '80s and early '90s Scottish melodic indie pop legends Trashcan Sinatras will also be making a stop at Club Congress this Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
Local duo Birds and Arrows offers up a rare and intimate acoustic storytelling centered show at Exo bar this Saturday night at 8 p.m.
And last, but not least, Wooden Tooth Records presents a special one-time-only book signing event with Banned in D.C. author Cynthia Connolly. The signing and discussion of the early Washington, D.C., punk scene takes place Sunday, November 10 at 5 p.m. at Wooden Tooth Records.
Check your local listings...
Friday, November 8
- Jacob Acosta Band - 8 p.m. Exo
- Teen Nightclub Experience (18 and under dance party) - 7 p.m. 191 Toole
- Bryan Thomas Parker and Friends w/ Deanna Cross - 9:30 p.m. Sky Bar
- Kaia Chesney - 8 p.m. Westbound
- Shit Knife, the Maybe Next Years, the Dead Writers - 9 p.m. Brodie’s
- Project Out Of Bounds - 9 p.m. Irene’s Donuts
- OnesAll Cd Release Show - 7 p.m. House of Bards
- Friday Night Jazz - 7 p.m. Dusty Monk
- Nick Letson - 8 p.m. Hotel McCoy
- Panic Baby, Weekend Lovers - 8 p.m. Boxyard
- Megan Diana, Hannah Yeun, Mattea - 8 p.m. Owl’s Club
- Big Grin - 9 p.m. Saint Charles Tavern
- Hank Topless Album Release - 8 p.m. Club Congress
- The Muffulettas - 8 p.m. Fini’s Landing
- Viva La Verde: Documentary Screening w/Febbo Fuentes - 6 p.m. The Screening Room
Saturday, November 9
- Dusk Music Festival: Night One - 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Armory Park
- The Avengers, Man Hands, Anchorbaby - 7 p.m. Wooden Tooth Records
- Thunderosa! w/ Creeper Van and Mike Mihina and the Mercenary Bastards - 9 p.m. Che’s Lounge
- Birds and Arrows (Acoustic, Storytelling Show) - 8 p.m. Exo
- Earthgang with Guapdad 4000 - 8 p.m. 191 Toole
- Spurious Freedom - 8 p.m. Irene’s Donuts
- Falling in Reverse w/ Crown the Empire and Tom MacDonald - 7 p.m. Rialto
- What Really Happened (Live Comedy Game Show) - 9 p.m. Sky Bar
- Pushing Buttons: Lommol, Halsero, Kalter Trost, DVOID, Chrome Unicorns - 9 p.m. Thunder Canyon
- Sonoran Witchboy Art Opening w/ music by Chris Hall - 7 p.m. Crooked Tooth
- Louise Le Hir - 9 p.m. Saint Charles Tavern
Sunday, November 10
- Dusk Music Festival: Night Two - 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Armory Park
- Banned In DC: Cynthia Connolly Book Signing - 5 p.m. Wooden Tooth Records
- Joe Novelli and B. Sedlmayr 6 p.m. Che’s Lounge Patio
- Mik and the Funky Brunch - 12 p.m. La Cocina
- Jonathan Bree, Ryder the Eagle, Sad Reptilian - 8 p.m. Hotel Congress Plaza
- Frankie Cosmos, Stephen Steinbrink, Dear Nora - 7 p.m. Club Congress
Monday, November 11
- Nots w/ Lenguas Largas and Soft Shoulder - 7 p.m. Club Congress
- Sauced Up!, Somniac, Signals Out and Minor Cat - 8 p.m. Blacklidge Community Collective
Tuesday, November 12
- Twin Ponies, Black Medicine, Cream Pop - 8 p.m. Sky Bar
- Trashcan Sinatras - 7 p.m. Club Congress
Wednesday, November 13
- Chelsea Wolfe w/ Ionna Gika - 7 p.m. Club Congress
- Dan Stuart w/ Mike McCoy - 8 p.m. Dusty Monk
Thursday, November 14
- The Ataris w/ Alien Asteroid - 8 p.m. 191 Toole
- Open Mic w/ Clinton Smith - 6 p.m. House of Bards
- The Exbats - 8:30 p.m. Tap and Bottle
Friday, November 15
- Dry & Dusty w/ Freddy Parish - 8 p.m. Exo
- Maxo Kream w/ Q Da Fool - 7 p.m. 191 Toole
- Raised on TV - 8 p.m. Sky Bar
- Blaze, Boondox, and Alla Xul Elu - 5 p.m. House of Bards
- Pelt, Tongs, and Soda Sun - 8 p.m. Boxyard
- Funky Bonz - 8 p.m. Saint Charles Tavern
- El Tambo - 10 p.m. Hotel Congress
