Thursday, March 23, 2006

Music - events

Tucson Citizen

today

• Horrorpops: Yes, they could go on our worst band list, but we won't say anything else on that because upright bass-playing frontwoman Patricia Day scares us just a little bit. The group cuts its punk with rockabilly and the occasional surf or ska chord progression for an energetic mix that's captured pretty well on its second release for Epitaph, "Bring it On!" We expect even more fever when the band brings it to Skrappy's, 201 E. Broadway. Tickets are $10, and for that you also get the Tossers and Demon City Wreckers. Call 358-4287 for more.

• The Dirtbombs: Detroit's finest returns for a show at Plush, 340 E. Sixth St., with - this is how lucky we are - Atlanta spazzy garage rockers The Black Lips also on the bill. Crooner extraordinaire Mick Collins leads The Dirtbombs through punk, rock and R&B, as displayed on their latest, last year's two-disc comp "If You Don't Already Have a Look." Opening is our very own blues-rock trio, fresh off a jaunt to play South by Southwest, The Beta Sweat. We love this lineup.

Tickets are $10. You can call 798-1298 or you can visit virtuous.com.

saturday

• The Harpeth Trace: How's this for a night of dreamy music - L.A.'s lush, relaxed, folk-poppy The Harpeth Trace, sandwiched between Tucson's Amor and The Fashionistas' Emilie Marchand & Mike Bagesse. For just $3, they'll serve up music that's pretty-pretty all night long. It all starts at 9:45 p.m. at Plush, 340 E. Sixth St. Questions? Call 798-1298.

Listen to The Harpeth Trace (mp3):

Cottontail
A Letter To The Room
The Man & The Cousin

Hector on Stilts: OK, Tucson, think back about five, six years, to when cousins/music-making duo Hector on Stilts left their hometown for the bright lights of Boston. Yes, those purveyors of pop - Jeb Colwell and Clayton Colwell - are back and, judging from their new CD, "Same Height Relation," they've further fine-tuned their talents for writing hook-filled tunes. They're returning to home sweet home for a 9 p.m. show at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., with Fukusian Go! and the Colwell Brothers opening the $4 show. The fine folks at Congress - 622-8848 - can answer any more questions.

Listen to Hector On Stilts (mp3):

Taxi
Mom's In Love Again
Tongue-Tied

tuesday

• David Sanborn-Chris Botti: Think of them as smooth sax turbulence and lyric trumpet sweetness, a tempting combination that could bring audiences back to jazz in big-time numbers. Sanborn's horn has been driving albums for decades, proving that cascades of notes can be turned into musical muscle. Botti is the incurable romantic for the new century, whose touch with a tender ballad has been favorably compared to Miles Davis. Their Tuesday concert together at Desert Diamond Casino, Interstate 19 and Pima Mine Road, contains genuine potential for the thoughtful listener. Showtime is 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25, $30 and $40 in advance; $35, $40 and $45 the day of the show. On sale at both Desert Diamond casino box offices, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 393-2799.

• Mack 10: Let us hear you say Mack 10! Mack 10! Playing with Lil One! Lil One! That's right, a bill-o-hip-hop headed to the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., grounded by longtime West Coast rapper Mack 10. Mr. Lil One, rapping en español, opens at 8 p.m. Tickets are $21 advance, $28 day of show. Call 740-1000 or visit rialtotheatre.com.

NEXT PAGE» 1, 2