Friday, February 15
The Ziggens
Slidebar
If you don't know much about Orange County ska/ surf/punk/garage band the Ziggens, it's ok, somehow they've been over shadowed by one time label mates such as Sublime. But unlike Sublime, who burned out before becoming massively successful, the Ziggens have been plugging away continuously for more than two decades. Though they've produced plenty of work since the 1990s, be sure to check out their masterwork, 1998's Pomona Lisa. With cow billy style, they bring A-game lyrics that tickle a funny bone good. — Brandon Ferguson
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Saturday, February 16
Cockney Rejects and Youth Brigade
The Observatory
Formed in 1980, Youth Brigade played shows with hardcore bands, but its music didn't focus on speed or brutality. Instead, the Stern brothers wrote songs that addressed the concerns of conscious young men of the day, like existential angst and criticizing a power-mad government vastly streamlining society in favor of the wealthy. The Sterns also put their ideals into establishing the Better Youth Organization in an attempt to combat the image of punk-rockers as violent, nihilistic, aimless rebels. With a national BYO tour, documented in the film Another State of Mind, the Brigade didn't exactly change the world, but it did inspire a generation of punk-rockers afterward. With the current decade feeling like déjà vu for anyone who lived through the '80s as a teenager, Youth Brigade seems somehow as relevant as ever.
Boyz II Men
City National Grove of Anaheim
It's been almost two decades since the flat-top foursome of Boyz II Men held supreme rule over the realm of R&B slow jams. But even though the '90s are long gone, the highest selling vocal group of all time continues to crank out albums in the new millennium, reminding us that it is definitely not the end of the road for their careers. After kicking off a fresh tour in the new year, remaining members Nate Morris, Shawn Stockman and Wanya Morris return to inject a little bit of Motown Philly flavor into the City National Grove of Anaheim while simultaneously singing the panties off of fanatical female fans. Yep, things are about to get grown and sexy. —Nate Jackson
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Sunday, February 17
Tomahawk
The Observatory
Tomahawk deserve to have their own Bat Signal or non-copyright-violating equivalent. Once every few years, Duane Denison (the Jesus Lizard), Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) and John Stanier (Battles, Helmet) converge and produce a sudden flurry of activity–specifically, a new record and touring. Tomahawk's self-titled debut hit in 2001, followed by Mit Gas in 2003, Anonymous in 2007 and, now, Oddfellows on Jan. 29, 2013 (which brings Trevor Dunn of Mr. Bungle and Melvins Lite into the fold). These are men who should glimpse a logo projected onto the clouds and sprint to the nearest airport. If they need ideas for an insignia, their band name should provide plenty of inspiration.–Reyan Ali
The Hives
House of Blues Anaheim
Rock 'n' roll doesn't need saving, but it can always use another shot of adrenalin. That's where the Hives come in. Their latest album Lex Hives is a ripper recalling the most arena-rocking guitar monsters ever–from T. Rex and Slade to Joan Jett and the Ramones, and then, of course, to lesser-known secret-society punk pounders like the Kids or Downliners Sect. If ever a riff could get a bunch of fists pumping in the air, it'll end up in a high-velocity Hives song, and then later in your (possibly hungover) head. On Lex Hives, the single “Go Right Ahead” is one of the tame ones–the Hives know the value of a killer deep cut, so go right to “These Spectacles Reveal the Nostalgics” or “If I Had a Cent” to explore the joy in tearing your own head off. –Chris Ziegler
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