Friday, December 28
Sweet and Tender Hooligans
House of Blues Anaheim
It's
an understatement to say that fans of the Smiths are rabid. Objects of
abject adoration, Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and crooner Morrissey
often share the same cultural luster as golden-age cinematic idols, or
an image of the Virgin Mary smiling glorious from the crust of a grilled
cheese I. If you want to put a finer point on it, the Smiths are
kind of a big deal. So it's no small feat that a band who made a career
imitating the New Wave icons from Manchester have been at it for 20
years. Calling themselves the ultimate Smith's tribute, the Sweet and
Tender Hooligans appear at the House of Blues to bring you a little
holiday cheer. Of course, if they properly capture the essence of the
Smiths, it'll be glorious holiday sadness.–Brandon Ferguson
]
Kings Inn Holiday Benefit Show
Detroit Bar
For
almost a year and a half now, Sean Rosenthal and his club night the
Kings Inn–well, it's a less a club night than a state of mind better fit
for a tin-roof gutbucket roadhouse bumping up against a dirt road–have
been a source and a showcase for blues-y, soul-y, rock 'n' roll-y DJs
hailing from Southern California and beyond. (Howlin' Rain, Spindrift,
the Abigails and more all spent wild times on his stage.) Now Rosenthal
is finishing 2012 with a benefit show for the Down Syndrome Association
of OC's Red Carpet Ball, with musicians including Jeremiah Red, Parker
Macy and Troy Murrah of Restavrant. It's the last and most rousingest
fundraiser you'll attend all year! –Chris Ziegler
Saturday, December 29
The Fixx
Coach House
Are
you old enough to remember the gas shortage of the 1970s? If not, you
probably don't remember new wave band the Fixx. That's ok. You know
their song “One Thing Leads to Another.” Go See them. –Brandon Ferguson
Sunday, December 21
Evan Stone's Jazz Jam
Steamers Jazz Club
Calling
all jazz aficionados, virtuosos and wannabes. Every Sunday at
Steamer's, it's a free-for-all jam session for enthusiasts of all skill
levels. Led by drummer Evan Stone and his trio, you are invited to join
the veterans onstage. A particularly warm welcome has been extended to
Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College students. So all you noobs
with stars in your eyes, here's your chance to shine. –Brandon Ferguson
Juju and Black Feet Braves
Continental Room
Although
there's no shortage of people seeking some high-priced fantasy on New
Year's Eve, the day before NYE can also be pretty trippy, and wayyy
cheaper. Especially when the brain-scrambling, hair-swinging antics of
psych rock duo Juju. For the past year, the band, led by Desert Daze
creator Phil Pirrone, has popped up at just about every pulsating,
savage bill we can think of. On Sunday, the band wraps up a month-long
residency at the Fullerton haunt, bringing San Diego surf band Black
Feet Braves and Black Jesus–finally the name of an opening act we can
really get behind!
Follow us on Twitter @OCWeeklyMusic and like us on Facebook at Heard Mentality.
