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Guns
N’ Roses, CKY
Pepsi
Arena, Wednesday
It’s
true: Guns N’ Roses are back with their first complete North
American tour since 1993. Even though they seem like a whole
new band, the tour will feature old favorite hits from albums
like Appetite for Destruction and The Spaghetti
Incident?, as well as songs from their still-in-the-works
release, Chinese Democracy. The current Guns N’ Roses
lineup includes mainstay Axl Rose—who has been known to show
up late to his own gigs (if he shows up at all)—and keyboardist
Dizzy Reed, but those are the only two that you’ll recognize:
The new GNR faces are guitarist Buckethead, former Nine Inch
Nails guitarist Robin Finck, guitarist Richard Fortus, former
Primus drummer Brian “Brain” Mantia, former Replacements bassist
Tommy Stinson, and keyboardist Chris Pitman. Philly punk-metal
group CKY open for the new Guns N’ Roses tonight (Wednesday)
at the Pepsi Arena. (Nov. 27, 7:30 PM, $46-$56, 487-2000)
Sev
Statik
Nick’s
Sneaky Pete’s, Friday
Local
underground hiphop artist Sev Statik celebrates his first
solo album, Speak Life (Uprok Records/EMI), with a
show at Nick’s Sneaky Pete’s on Friday. A major force behind
hiphop collective Pitch Control Music (www.pitchcontrol music.com),
Statik is also a member of the Tunnel Rats and Deepspace 5,
and his rhymes are found on releases by both of those bands.
Speak Life has been making waves in hiphop circles,
and his crafty, at-times-humorous and always-uplifting wordplay
has struck a chord with many who want more matter in their
music. When not creating lyrics for any number of projects
he’s involved with, Statik is tirelessly promoting local hiphop
acts and creating showcases for them to play. Friday’s 18-and-over
show also features DJ Money Mike. (Nov. 29, 10 PM, $10,
489-0000)
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The
Movielife
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The
Movielife, Brand New, Count the Stars, Christianson
Valentine’s,
Saturday
Long
Island’s the Movielife admit to a certain irony in their name:
“Life in the movies is always perfect,” says lead singer Vinnie
Caruana. “But in real life you’re usually the loser.” You
will, nonetheless, be forgiven for thinking that the pop-punk
outfit are leading something of a happy-ever-after cinematic
existence themselves. Surprised and encouraged by the turnout
for their very first shows back in 1997, the quintet decided
that the rock & roll life was for them, quit their day
jobs and dove in headlong. A couple of lineup changes—and
five years—later, they’re still at it, and more popular than
ever. They’ve toured with the likes of Face to Face, New Found
Glory and Good Charlotte, and their “catchy chords and singalong
choruses” have won them a deal with Drive-Thru Records (home
of the aforementioned New Found Glory, and Fenix Tx). Also
on the bill: Albany’s hard- touring pop stars Count the Stars,
Brand New and Christianson. (Nov. 30, 8 PM, $10, 432-6572)
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A
Motown Christmas
Proctor’s Theatre,
Saturday
Put
a little soul in your ho-ho-ho Saturday night with A Motown
Christmas. This really big show, which features a nine-piece
band and a full complement of dancers, is headlined by Lala
Brooks, former lead singer of the Crystals. This isn’t one
of those cases in which the artist in question was a member
of a classic group long after their heyday. Brooks sang lead
on the Crystals’ biggest hits, “And Then He Kissed Me” and
“Da Doo Ron Ron.” While the Crystals were not a Motown group—making
the connection with the show’s title more than a little puzzling—Lala
Brooks sang on what most connoisseurs agree is the greatest
rock & roll holiday album ever, Phil Spector’s
A Christmas Gift for You. And the Crystals tracks,
which include “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “Rudolph
the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” are among the best on the album.
As far as we’re concerned, this gives A Motown Christmas as
much—or more—street cred than any other holiday spectacular
you’re likely to see this season. (Nov. 30, 8 PM, $29,
$19, 346-6204)
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Ultimate
Fakebook, Nerfherder, Fairview, Without Andy
Valentine’s,
Monday
Face
it: The best best pop music has always been about chicks—the
chicks songwriting boys like, the chicks who like songwriting
boys, the chicks who don’t like songwriting boys, the chicks
who like songwriting boys but not long or well enough. Sometime
in the middle ’80s, though, suburban boys decided they no
longer wanted to be Rick Nielson and instead wanted to be
Ian MacKaye, Bob Mould or—heavens—Henry Rollins, and emo was
born. Most of ’em couldn’t do it remotely, and emo at its
most tortured and affected started getting the bashing it
so richly deserved. Now, we’re asking you not to throw the
baby out with the bathwater: Whatever you’ve heard, Ultimate
Fakebook aren’t that kind of emo. This Kansas-based
band have gotten lumped in with the rest, but—really—they’re
just a fine power-pop band. Big hooks, big choruses and big
ol’ busted hearts—as it’s meant to be. Nerfherder, Fairview
and Without Andy share the bill. (Dec. 2, 7 PM, $10, 432-6572)
| also
noted |
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Joe
Bonamassa
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Tonight
(Wednesday), Rocky Velvet and the Lawn
Sausages play the traditional day-before-turkey
party at Artie’s Lansingburgh Station (9 PM, free,
238-2788). . . . Also on that night, the Wait,
Paranoid Social Club and the Suggestions
will play the pre-Thanksgiving bash at Valentine’s
(9 PM, $8, 432-6572). . . . Mime Choir and
Erin Harkes & the Rebound will rock Artie’s
Friday (9 PM, $3, 238-2788). . . . The George
Boone Blues Band will play the Van Dyck Friday,
and the show may be recorded to send to an interested
major label (7 and 9:30 PM, $8, 381-1111). . . .
Guitarists Alan Payette, Gary Piambino and
Billy “the Fly” McGlone will pay tribute
to the mighty Jimi Hendrix Friday at Savannah’s
(10 PM, 426-9647). . . . Grammy award-winning Chicago
bluesman, Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson will
play Caffe Lena Saturday (6 and 9:30 PM, $20, 583-0022).
. . . Guitar master Joe Bonamassa will
play Northern Lights on Saturday, with local axmaster
Mike Campese opening ($12, $10 advance, 371-0012).
. . . Sunday at Valentine’s, the Erotics, Coal
Palace Kings, Gay Tastee and Scout, Bible Study
and the Sixfifteens will take the stage
to benefit Mike Testo (6 PM, $10, 432-6572). . .
. On Wednesday (12/4), the Joey Thomas Big Band
will perform a Christmas concert at WAMC Performing
Arts Center (8 PM, $5, 800-323-9262 ext. 4). . .
. The Beach Boys—that is, Mike Love and
a band of hired guns—will play Proctor’s Theatre
on Wednesday (8 PM, $35-$48, 346-6204). |
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Columns
& Opinions
