The Racket

IT’S HISTORY FOLKS: Born in Scotland, nurtured
by musical legends, and inspired by history, Al
Stewart’s music goes far beyond expectations. Like any
experienced songwriter, he has plenty of bleeding-heart love songs
under his belt, and has collaborated with just about everyone from
Jimmy Page to Phil Collins. But
his best music was inspired when he broke away from conventional
song topics and began singing pages out of history. His albums
contain uniquely political and historical subject matter set to a
folk rock tune that appeals to all types of fans. Whether you want
a history lesson or just something to tap your foot to, Stewart
will be playing a solo acoustic performance for all, Thursday,
March 23 at 8 p.m. at SOhO. Tickets are $20. Call 962-7776 or visit
sohosb.com for more info.
  —  Mary Vanderpool

IRISH JIGS: This year, why not try something a
little more traditional than Guinness for St. Patty’s Day? After
all, that’s what the local boys of the Foggy Dew
Band and their collection of Irish instruments do best.
Their authentic Gaelic singing set to mandolin, accordion, and
banjo will make you feel like you’re back in the land of the
leprechauns. Come dance a jig, have a pint, or simply listen to the
old stories of love, war, immigration, and laughter. See them at
any of three places on March 17. They’ll be at the YMCA on 36
Hitchcock Way, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; State and A Restaurant at
1201 State St., from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30p.m.; and at Dargan’s on 18
E. Ortega St., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call Gary Jensen at 969-4974
for more info.   —  MV

CROSS-CULTURAL CONCERT: If you’re willing to
spend part of your Irish holiday at a Japanese restaurant, then
check out London Underground at Tsunami. Lead
vocalist London Brookshire belts out covers of
your favorite ’60s and ’70s tunes with band members Greg
Leroy, Bob Garcia, Derrick
Lowe, Joe Carrillo, and Reid
Spencer. Specializing in jazz, blues, funk, and soul, the
group engages a broad audience with everything from Elvis
Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes” to the
Commodores’ “Brickhouse,” and their very favorite,
Etta James’s “At Last.” To celebrate the Irish
spirit, special guest Rob Broadus will play some Irish folk songs
on the recorder while the bar serves Guinness and Jägermeister
drink specials.   —  Stephanie Cain

SYN NO MORE: The March 18 concert by
The Syn (originally scheduled for the polo fields,
then at Earl Warren) has been cancelled.
  —  SC

ROCK, ROCK, ROCK: Mayhem and chaos don’t just
rain over Entoven, they pour. And it makes sense,
considering the band has had a continually changing lineup of
members since its formation in 2000. Despite all the uncertainty,
it still managed to take first place in a Battle of the Bands back
in 2002. Now, with permanent members and a sound that’s loud and
wild enough to knock your socks off, the Santa Barbara locals are
getting ready to release their first full-length album this coming
spring. See them perform with band Shades of Day
at the Wildcat on March 21 at 10 p.m. sharp.
  —  MV