Sonic Smorgasbord

SOK IT TO ME: The locally spawned Sokkyo is
playing at Isla Vista’s Biko House. The band (comprised of Colter
Frazier, Rami Gavriel, Ralph Lowi, and Rob Wallace) may be
virtually unknown to both local music fans and the Internet, but
that shouldn’t stop you from taking an interest, as the Biko has a
longstanding tradition of featuring some of the most creative music
in the county. Catch what could well be a local mainstay in the
making at a free show tonight, November 2, at 6612 Sueno Road.
 — Drew Mackie

HOMEY, NOT HOMELY: Explaining his new project
as “the kind of entertainment people used to make before radio and
TV,” Bill Nershi seems proud to be playing the Americana music of
his band Honkytonk Homeslice. The group’s self-titled debut has
been introducing fans to a cross-section of bluegrass, folk,
pre-Nashville country, psychedelic country, and — in a category of
their own — the Talking Heads. The trio will play twice in Santa
Barbara on Sunday, November 4 (opening for Leo Kottke at the Lobero
Theatre at 8 p.m.) and then at Legends Bar & Lounge at 9 p.m.
 — DM

RAP IT UP: Velvet Jones is the place to be
Saturday, November 4 for your hip-hop fix. The night belongs to
Devin the Dude, an audacious emcee hailing from Houston with a
style almost as curious as his moniker. The Dude is on tour in
support of his newly released remix album, which contains
collaborations with the Coughee Brothaz, the Odd Squad, and Rob
Quest. Get out to Velvet Jones and show Devin a little Californian
hospitality.  — Levi Michaels

ROCK CANDY: The funny thing about the Starlight
Mints is that their name is derived from those round peppermint
candies that are perhaps better known today as White Stripes, which
just happens to be the name of another indie rock band. Candy
confusion aside, the Starlight Mints are a phenomenally talented
foursome whose sweet confections combine the flavors of mod rock
and the poppiest of retro pop. Catch them at UCSB’s Storke Plaza on
Tuesday, November 7.  — DM

DEFT ONES: Known for their harsh guitars and
alternately shrieking or whispering vocals, The Deftones’ freaky
soundscapes have always had an air of the progressive and
experimental about them. In promotion of their new album, Saturday
Night Wrist, the boys will be sweeping through California and
stopping at the Majestic Ventura Theatre on Tuesday, November 7.
 — DM

RUBBER SOUL: You’d have to have energy to keep
playing as long as the Bouncing Souls have. Formed in 1987, they
are the third longest-lived punk band to emerge from New
Jersey — right after the Misfits and Adrenalin O.D. Locals can
catch the Bouncing Souls in Ventura at the Alpine — one of the
tri-county area’s finest all-ages venues — this Wednesday, November
8 at 7 p.m. For more information, call 987-2026.
 — DM

SO VERY SOhO: For those itching for something
different, SOhO offers up a week’s worth of funk, rock, and reggae
for all. Area 51, a ’70s funk band, kicks off the weekend this
Friday, November 3, followed by Led Zeppelin tribute band Led
Zepplica on Saturday, November 4. The weekend closes out with indie
alt-rock band The Little Heroes on Sunday, November 5. The music
machine reboots Wednesday night with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer
and Jefferson Airplane founder Marty Balin. And the reggae rocking
quintet Rebelution take the stage next Thursday, closing out our
rockin’ Thursday-to-Thursday lineup  — Sarah
Hammill