’80s and Beyond

HUB CAP: UCSB’s Associated Students Program
Board is bringing it with a lineup of solid musicians through the
weekend and into next week. Tomorrow, March 2 at Storke Plaza,
Aqueduct will take the stage. David Terry is the
one-man band, taking on all the vocal and instrumental duties and
crafting his sunny songs with a huge dash of pop love.

Friday night (Mar. 2), head to the Hub for some dub courtesy a
couple of West Coast groups — Santa Cruz’s The
Expendables and San Diego’s Mystic
Roots — and one genuine import, headliner Pato
Banton (from Birmingham, UK). Banton is a heavy-hitter in
dub with a history stretching back to the early ’80s, and has both
a multitude of big-name collaborations and a Grammy nomination
under his belt. Saturday night (Mar. 3) offers a Battle of
the Bands, also at the Hub.

The UCSB action concludes on Wednesday with another free
performance at noon. This time it’s inside the Hub with Jay
Nash, an L.A.-based singer/songwriter whose shimmering pop
songs are rich with evocative guitar work.  — Max
Burke

I LOVE THE ’80S: Mullets and man-bangs are
definitely out, but the reconvening of ’80s rock bands is suddenly
en vogue. And it seems the Police aren’t the only ones headed on
tour. The Sean Healy Presents series brings
Winger, composed of Kip Winger,
former bassist from Alice Cooper, Paul Taylor, and
Rod Morgenstein from the Dixie Dregs. They are
bringing this once highly successful pop metal band back to life
while keeping it modern. So check them out Friday, March 2 at
Velvet Jones. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. — Sheyla Molho

SON OF A PREACHER MAN: Selling out spots like
the House of Blues, the Viper Room, and the Troubadour in L.A.,
Tyrone Wells is well on his way to the big time.
Being a preacher’s son exposed Wells to gospel music, which he has
incorporated into his diverse style of pop and acoustic rock.
Influenced by an array of artists like Stevie Wonder, Damien Rice,
and Simon and Garfunkel, Wells released Hold On in 2005 to
enthusiastic reviews. Don’t miss the opportunity to check him out
for yourself at SOhO on Tuesday, March 6.  — SM

BOLD SCHOOL:
KRS-One, appearing at Velvet Jones on Friday,
March 9, is a major-league hip-hop figure. Although he may not have
the name recognition of Dre or Cube, his work with Boogie Down
Productions in the late ’80s and subsequent high-profile solo
career — as well as his outspoken political views — have earned him
the status of a living legend in the hip-hop community. KRS-One’s
politically conscious, forward-thinking rap should make for a
refreshing good time, especially since such idealism is a strictly
old-school occupation in the current commercial hip-hop clime.
— MB

SINCERELY, SPROULE: At Devon
Sproule’s last SOhO show, her lilting voice filled the
room as the sprite-like singer/songwriter alternated between
confessional stream-of-consciousness and pop-folk lyrics.
Accompanied by her resonant acoustic Gibson, she was nothing less
than endearing, draped in her vintage dress and delighted that we
all came. These days she’s in the midst of a touring schedule that
includes a stop at the Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s tap room
in Buellton as part of the Tales from the Tavern series on
Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Visit talesfromthetavern.com for
details. — Felicia M. Tomasko

THE WRAP UP: This Friday, March 2, Christian
rock group MercyMe, famous for its hit song “I Can Only
Imagine,” takes the Arlington Theatre stage. But only after fellow
faithfuls Audio Adrenaline do their funk rock
thing and Aaron Shust opens; the show starts at
7:30 p.m. Latin alt rock band Zoé takes the SOhO
stage Sunday night, where it’ll turn out the hits from its
acclaimed third album, Memo Rex Commander y el Corazón Atomico
de la Vía Láctea. (Try to say that three times fast.) Also at
SOhO, outspoken artist for world peace Holly Near
will perform. Near has sung on Broadway, and will almost certainly
bring the drama with her next Thursday, March 8.