Spring Arts Preview- Pop and Rock

With the S.B. Bowl season pushed back due to construction, you music junkies will have to look elsewhere to get your fix through the spring. Fortunately, SOhO, UCSB, Ventura Theatre, and other venues have loaded us up with a season full of hot shows, including Bright Eyes, The Ataris, and The Killers. But come summer, all bets are off with the Bowl’s late but killer lineup, which already includes shows by Norah Jones, Gwen Stefani, and Marco Antonio Sol-s and is rumored have Incubus, Snow Patrol, Diana Krall, 311, and Reggae Sunsplash waiting in the wings. For details on those shows, visit sbbowl.com.

White Buffalo and Timmy Curran

Think indie-acoustic indie, that is-with a night dedicated to soulful lyrics and raw talent. Wed., Mar. 28, 8:30pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

The Bonedaddys

A sextet of serious rockers who collaborate to make a sound most aptly described as polka-rock-funk-hillbilly-bebop. Thu., Mar. 29, 8:30pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Evil Farmer Reunion and Hunkamama

The Isla Vista-born jazz dance band performs with an all-female funk group. Sat., Mar. 31, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

The Ataris

Optimistic pop-punkers with a flare for radio favorites, “The Boys of Summer” are touring with their latest release, Welcome the Night. Fri., Mar. 30, 7pm. Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Call 639-3965 or visit venturatheater.net.

StompRocket

Indy Webmeister Bob-E and his band lay it straight for the local rock and metal heads with Backmask and Counter Clockwise. Fri., Mar. 30, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Jewmongous

From the creators of “What I Like About Jew” comes a Jewish-themed comedy/song variety show full of nonstop laughter. Sun., Apr. 1, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Duo-Tones

A group dedicated to playing authentic instrumental surf classics, featuring Paul Johnson of the Belairs and Gil Orr of the Chantays. Tue., Apr. 10, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 952-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

We’ve prayed and we’ve prayed and we’ve prayed for the fantastic four gangster rappers to cross our roads, and we need not wait any longer. Fri., Apr. 6, 7pm. Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Call 639-3965 or visit venturatheater.net.

The English Beat

The Beat has reunited to bring us its unusual blend of Jamaican ska, punk rock, and uncompromising lyrics. Fri., Apr. 6, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 9658676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

The Killers

Never say never. This show may be sold out, but it will be a night of pop music worth fighting for. Fri., Apr. 6, 8pm. UCSB’s Events Center. Call 895-3536.

Modern

From San Fran’s SoMa district, this five-piece indie rock dance group brings Brit post-punk hipster beats. Fri., Apr. 6, 8pm. The Wildcat Lounge, 15 W. Ortega St. Call 962-7970.

Mad Caddies

These Solvang ska’ers come full circle to show us what they’ve been working on-surely an as-always interesting mixture of polka, punk, hardcore, and jazz. Sat., Apr. 7, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 9658676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Gabriels Fallen and No Opinion

One look at these guys and you know they mean it. Both bands will show you who’s boss with their threatening sounds of thrash, hardcore, and metal mania. Tue., Apr. 10, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Led Kaapana and Mike Kaawa

These legendary slack key guitar and ukulele masters hail from the paradise of the Hawaiian Islands. Thu., Apr. 12, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Social Distortion

Southern California’s definitive blues-laced punk band hits the road again with its latest release Sex, Love, and Rock ‘n’ Roll, the band’s first full-length since 1996. Thu., Apr. 12, 7pm. Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Call 639-3965 or visit venturatheater.net.

Another Way Home

This Drinking & Driving Awareness concert features singer/songwriters Reid Spencer, Gabe Lackner, and more. Fri., Apr. 13, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 9627776 or visit sohosb.com.

Coraz³n Concerts Music Festival

This three-day festival features jazzy Ben Sidran, world rockers The Bonedaddys, and son jarocho whiz Conjunto Jard-n, respectively. Fri., Apr. 13, 9:30pm, Sat., Apr. 14, 7pm, and Sun., Apr. 15, 4pm. Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St. Call 448-6428.

Veruca Salt

These female-fronted abrasive rockers have reunited and rallied for their new album and tour. Fri., Apr. 13, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Omar Faruk Tekbilek

Known as the “Elvis of Middle Eastern music,” this virtuoso Sufi master brilliantly covers all the folk and contemporary music bases. Sun., Apr. 15, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Reggae Night

Let the island sounds of Iration move you and Natural Vibrations groove you. Tue., Apr. 17, 9pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Tony Furtado

Portland deploys yet another amazing singer/songwriter who celebrates the release of his smart and innovative album Thirteen. Wed., Apr. 18, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

S.B. Songwriter Showcase

Featuring local artists and help from local venues, this night is dedicated to the soulful singer/songwriters residing in our community. Thu., Apr. 19 and Thu., May 17, 7pm. Jensen Guitar, 2830 De la Vina St. Call 6874027.

Tommy Castro

An impressive solo act who knows how to lay down a stunning set of smoky jazz guitar is not to be missed. Thu., Apr. 19, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Soul Majestic

Our brothers to the north, Soul Majestic, promise a jam-sesh of reggae rhythms and harmonies with a kick of opinionated hip-hop. Fri., Apr. 20, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Raekwon

Rap artist Raekwon, formerly a member of the Wu Tang Clan, is also known as The Chef because it is said he’s always “cookin’ up some marvelous shit to get your mouth watering.” Fri., Apr. 20, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Stephen Marley

The second son of the legendary Bob Marley, Stephen has followed in his father’s footsteps with an impressive singer/songwriter style that encompasses optimism and songs of peace. Tue., Apr. 24, 7pm. Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Call 639-3965 or visit venturatheater.net.

Vast

Humboldt hero Jon Crosby has created his very own sound, accompanying industrial indie rock with cryptic lyrics. Tue., Apr. 24, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Springtime Is Wartime

A favorite of the local underground indie rock scene, this trio blends intricate musical riffs with hardcore screams of intelligent lyrics. Sat., Apr. 28, 8pm. Jensen Guitar, 2830 De la Vina St. Call 687-4027.

David Wilcox

Positive playing is the motto of the North Carolina native singer/songwriter who couples soft guitar strumming with loving lyrics. Tue., May 1, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Melvin Seals and JGB

These boys are the end-all when it comes to Jerry Garcia tribute bands, and they promise to lead the listener toward karmic nirvana with their timeless tunes. Wed., May 2, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Ramblin Jack Elliott

It’s all in the name! Elliott’s folk strummin’ and thought-provoking lyrics command the crowd to follow him on a one-of-a-kind musical journey. Thu., May 3, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Bright Eyes

Indie darling Conor Oberst returns to S.B. to promote his newest album, Cassadaga, scheduled to drop April 10. If you haven’t jumped on this bandwagon yet, now’s the time. Sat., May 5, 8pm. Arlington Theatre. Call 5838700 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration with Benise

¡Que guapo! This muchacho shows his mastery of the guitar in a dramatic performance. Benise is sure to wow the crowd with his sensitive storytelling through a fusion of flamenco and Latin jazz styles. Sat., May 5, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Kelly Joe Phelps

Singer/songwriter Phelps plays a show full of emotion and nostalgia in his acoustic set of folk and blues. Sun., May 20, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Mother Hips

This group traces American music history through the nostalgic sounds of such greats as Buffalo Springfield and the Beach Boys. Sat., May 26, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Loudon Wainwright III

Folk singer/songwriter Wainwright could stop a train with his smile and end a war with his lyrics. His concert is suitable for any audience, mood, or emotion. Sun., May 27, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Meltone

Meltone boasts a unique sound that can only be described as a whole lotta psychedelic breakdowns with impromptu jams and funky lyrics. Wed., May 30, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra

Subdued flamenco guitar with South African percussion and the stylish sensuality of jazz and rock form one of the sexiest nights of music imaginable. Tue., June 12, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.