Monday, July 8
Be sure to check out our constantly-updated OC Concert Calendar
Todd Rundgren
The Coach House
Todd Rundgren is the kind of guy who stands alone–in fact, if you crack open the gatefold issue of his 1972 album Something/Anything, you'll see exactly what we mean. It's a giant photo of him and his guitar in a shaft of light (and dust) which is pretty much the literalization of the entire Rundgren oeuvre. (And yes, it is definitely an oeuvre.) He's a polymath, a prog monster, a pop magpie, a wizard of some kind and a star for a while, and he's still cranking onward. In fact, he just put out a new album in April that's an unpredictable '00s-gone-'80s (or maybe vice versa) mix of electronic music with his “anything goes” sound. If there are still old heads out there, surely they'll be ready to say hello at this show. (Chris Ziegler)
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Max and the Moon
Constellation Room
Max and the Moon is an indie quartet hailing from Fullerton (among other places). Singer John V. evokes the more heavenly aspects of My Morning Jacket vocalist Jim James' howl with a sweet falsetto of his own. The bands bright, bouncy arrangements feature a touch of reverby psychadelia.Fresh off of their latest release, The Way I See It, the band resumes their July residency in Santa Ana at the Constellation Room (Brandon Ferguson)
Tuesday, July 9
Ultimate Stones
The Coach House
The Ultimate Stones aren't just a band, they're an experience. Just as the name suggests, this Rolling Stones tribute band is about the closest to resembling all of the original Stones members- from Mick's idiosyncratic chicken strut to Keith's swift guitar moves. You have to give credit to each performer's talented mimicry; beyond the clothes and haircuts, these guys know what it takes to give their audiences satisfaction. Tonight they play the Coach House with Wayward Sons and Family Style. (Aimee Murillo)
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Wednesday, July 10
Yes
City National Grove of Anaheim
Seminal progressive rock band Yes comes to the Grove of Anaheim this week, proving that even after 45 years of nonstop musical madness, these old boys can still hit that high note. Releasing an album every few years throughout their career (sometimes two in a year), Yes remains relevant not only because they're one of the most influential bands of the era, but also because they have yet to fade away in any sense–2011's Fly From Here, their 24th album, received glowing reviews across the music blogs. Currently on a world tour (a “Yestival” if you will), the band treats longtime fans to three albums in their entirety: The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Going For the One. (Erin DeWitt)
Friday, July 12
The Psychedelic Furs
House of Blues Anaheim
There was way more to Devo than “Whip It” and there was way more to the Psychedelic Furs than “Pretty In Pink”–especially on their 1980 self-titled debut, a crazy colossal-sounding mix of post-punk, punk, pop and maybe even a little dub, written and recorded by a bunch of British kids who'd barely played instruments before. Their next album Talk Talk Talk had the song that John Hughes would make famous, but the deep cuts were the real home of the Psychedelic Furs spirit. Although they haven't released any new recordings since 1991's World Outside, the founding Butler brothers have a regenerated Furs line-up going that rolls through a de facto best-of setlist. So if you only know the hit, you're in for a beautiful learning experience. (Chris Ziegler)
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