Strings and Things

MOVING IN: L.A.-based
band Moving Units produced one of 2004’s more exemplary records of
the whole never-quite-made-it dance punk craze, titled
Dangerous Dreams. The sound was slick and cold, but the
bass was heavy, and for a while there it was a go-to college party
record. Dance punk may not have the same hipster cachet it did
three years ago, but having caught Moving Units a few times in
their nascent, L.A. club days, I cannot recommend their live show
highly enough. The band’s got a new album on the way this year and
will be rocking their old classics as well as new material this
Friday, February 2 at UCSB’s Hub. The show is free for UCSB
students and only five bucks for the general public.
— Max Burke

LOSEY GOOSEY: If you’d prefer a different side
of rock ’n’ roll in an off-the-beaten-path locale, head over to the
Creekside Inn to check out singer/songwriter Jana
Losey. Losey released her debut CD, Bittersweet,
last year and is currently on a lengthy West Coast tour culminating
in a performance at South × Southwest in Austin, Texas. Losey plays
earnest, straight-ahead rock with intimate, articulate lyrics about
life, love, and all the other staples of introspective songwriting.
She plays with a full band, which complements her piano and voice
with guitar, bass, and percussion. Santa Barbara-born
Melanie Peters is her guitarist and is making her
S.B. debut with this show. Come out and support a native daughter,
and enjoy some fine songs and playing at 8 p.m. tonight, February 1
at the Creekside. They won’t disappoint.
— MB

FANCY FINGERS: Jake
Shimabukuro’s most recent album’s title track “While My
Guitar Gently Weeps” may be more aptly named “While My Guitar
Gently Sings.” Absent of any vocals, Shimabukuro’s laidback
acoustic approach makes for a beautifully constructed album. And
Conan O’Brien and Carson Daly seem to agree. O’Brien featured
Shimabukuro on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in January,
and on February 14, Shimabukuro is scheduled to appear on Last
Call with Carson Daly. But for those who’d like to seem him
live, Shimabukuro will take the SOhO stage this Saturday, February
3 at 7 p.m. Following him will be Led Zepplica at 10 p.m.
— Sarah Hammill

DIESEL MAN: Despite the ubiquity of his big
1972 hit “Hot Rod Lincoln” with band Commander Cody, Bill
Kirchen is no one-hit wonder. Since going solo in 1993,
Kirchen has released seven critically acclaimed albums, including
his most recent, Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods, on Proper
Records. Known as the King of Dieselbilly, Kirchen is most commonly
known for big riffs, but is currently delving deeper into his
identity as a songwriter. Check out his softer side at SOhO this
Wednesday, February 7 at 8 p.m. — SH

GET UP AND DANCE: L.A. rockers The
Getup play an excellent mix of blues-rock, funk, and soul.
The band’s classic mix of keyboard riffs, solid bass lines, and
excellent guitar solos gives a propulsive momentum to songs like
“Say What You Will,” which sounds like a lost rock radio staple
circa 1976. Other tracks mix things up — a little mellower here, a
little heavier there — and frontman Will Segar’s
vocals impress on every tune. The Getup may not be playing the most
fashionable style of rock out there, but they are mining a rich and
diverse aspect of rock music history and coming up with something
fresh and invigorating. See if they can’t liven up your pre-weekend
festivities tonight, February 1 at SOhO beginning at 8:30 p.m.
— MB