Friday, November 2
Wild Records' Day of the Dead Show
Altadena's Wild Records specializes in undiluted knock-you-on-your-ass rock –really, if it involves the kind of adjectives you'd dedicate to a particularly vicious whiskey, it works perfectly for the music they make. And this Day of the Dead show collects three of their best. The Rhythm Shakers (who have a firecracker of a new 45 out now on Wild) do Wanda Jackson-style rockabilly; the Hi-Strung Ramblers deliver amped-up stripped-down primitive rock 'n' roll, and Pachuco Jose y Los Diamantes do swinging zoot-suit era R&B. There's also free tequila tasting, face painting, and showgoers are invited to help build a Day of the Dead altar. For Dia de los Muertos, MOLAA made the best possible call with this bill–three band that'll heal the sick and raise the dead. –Chris Ziegler
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Asher Roth
Tonight, rapper Asher Roth plays the Yost Theater. In the almost-four years since his single “I Love College” propelled him into regular radio rotation, he and his legacy have gone under a particularly curious metamorphosis. Like him or not, his celebration of the white-stoner millennial lifestyle wound up being among the most influential recordings of the past five years. –Chaz Kangas
Saturday, November 3
GWAR
OC residents may remember the days when Gwar, the outrageously costumed metal band, appeared on the legendary public access Wally George show. Decked out in elaborate alien regalia and rocking names like Oderus Urungus, they were a perfect fit for George's circus-style show. Sadly, they canceled recent performances due to the death of Cory Smoot, aka Flattus Maximus. But the show must go on. Be forewarned, the first few rows may get wet.
–Brandon Ferguson
D.I.
Head down to the Tiki Bar for legendary punk band D.I. Featuring former Social Distortion drummer Casey Royer on vocals, the band, despite some issues with heroin, has been at it for 30 years. —Brandon Ferguson
Big Bang
Considering the fact that K-Pop has basically taken over the world already, OC feels last slice of North American land left to conquer. As part of the current K-Pop blitz we're experiencing lately, the South Korean heartthrobs of Big Bang are rolling through this weekend to take over the Honda Center. Formed in 2006, the five-pack of carefully coiffed cuteness has morphed into one of the most successful Asian acts in the world. Having already won the hearts of the Japanese over the last couple years, we're anxious to see how this arena-filling performance stateside will win over any naysayers who think that this music is just a fad. By now, you should probably know better. —Nate Jackson
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