2007 Fall Arts Preview – Pop and Rock

With a fiery summer coming to a close, expect smoking acts to fill area venues with everything from new indie sounds to hip-hop beats. Sizzling underground sounds and lesser-known acts hit smaller venues like Jensen’s Mainstage and Muddy Waters Cafe, which are working hard to keep alive the arts in town. Whatever your pleasure and whoever your company, there is a pop or rock reason to be living it up in Santa Barbara this season.

Sea Wolf & Special Guests

Hailing from Los Angeles, the delicate vocals of the dashing Alex Brown Church and his band create a perfect marriage between elegant storytelling and talented musicianship. Thu., Sept. 13, 8:30pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Sugarhill Gang

Borrowing beats from “Good Times,” these boys from the ‘Wood (Englewood, NJ, that is) are responsible for the eternal classic “Rapper’s Delight.” Sun., Sept. 16, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Peter, Paul, and Mary

Although without Mary, who is not on tour due to illness, Peter and Paul will perform their timeless favorites spanning a more than 40-year career. Mon., Sept. 17, 7pm. Victoria Hall Theater, 33 W. Victoria St. Call 730-1038.

The Bravery

It’ll pass as “An Honest Mistake” if you didn’t get to see these New York City post-punk rockers earlier this year in Ventura, but be sure not to miss their synth-heavy and dance-worthy performance again. Wed., Sept. 19, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Demasiado, Lindsey Cook, Boombox Orchestra

Hailing from as far as San Diego and as close as Isla Vista, these three bands blend folky and dramatic vocals with heavy sounds to create an indefinable musical matrimony. Thu., Sept. 20, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Tribo de Jah

Five students from the Maranh£o School for the Blind in Brazil formed a powerhouse of quadralingual, reggae perfection. Fri., Sept. 21, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Supersuckers

Ever heard of honky-tonk punk rock? These northwestern cowboys lay down the law with their unforgiving and unforgettable style and twang. Fri., Sept. 21, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Phil Lesh & Friends

One of the founding members of the Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh has collected a slew of amazing musicians to create an original American, psychedelic, folk-rock sound. Sat., Sept. 22, 6pm. S.B. Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St. Call 962-7411 or visit sbbowl.com.

Retrodemon CD Release Party

Suburban Sherpa opens up a night of metal mayhem featuring this ferocious foursome, whose interests include “getting wasted and/or laid.” Sat., Sept. 22, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Vonda Shepard

Best known for her piano-driven performances on TV’s Ally McBeal but loved for her powerful singing and songwriting. Thu., Sept. 27, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Iration

These slow-jammin’ seven are well-recognized in Santa Barbara thanks to their ocean-inspired lyrics and their classic reggae rhythms. Thu., Sept. 27, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Tom Jones

With knockout good looks and a 40-year-long discography to boot, Jones’s legendary lounge-style vocals keep him on top of his game. Fri., Sept. 28, 8pm. Chumash Casino, 3400 E. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez. Visit chumashcasino.com.

Jenna Douglas and Friends

Selecting only the best area musicians, this show-like any at the Mainstage-promises to be chock full of Santa Barbara talent. Fri., Sept. 28, 7:30pm. Jensen’s Mainstage, 2905 De la Vina St. Call 563-3200.

Morrissey

The former Smiths frontman and eternal king of the British alt-rock scene will surely bring down the house with his much-anticipated performance. Sat., Sept. 29, 7pm. S.B. Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St. Call 962-7411 or visit sbbowl.com.

Which One’s Pink?

For more than nine years, these five SoCal rockers have dedicated their musical talents to authentically mastering the art of the Pink Floyd cover. Sat., Sept. 29, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Rahzel

The Roots have let their boy Rahzel M. Brown out on his own to show the world just what beatboxing is all about. Sat., Sept. 29, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Tony Bennett

Considered to be one of the most talented jazz and standards singers of all time, Tony Bennett takes to the stage for an evening of tunes. Sun., Sept. 30, 7:30pm. S.B. Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St. Call 962-7411 or visit sbbowl.com.

Michelle Shocked

Fired up and ready to change the world, this politically charged singer/songwriter is touring in support of her latest CD, Mighty Sound. Thu., Oct. 4, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Lukas Rossi from Rock Star: Supernova

This Rock Star: Supernova winner plays tracks from his 2007 release, Moodswings, for the deserving fans who helped him reach the top. Thu., Oct. 4, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

The Go-Go’s

Thirty-years-young and still ready to rock, this all-female group is responsible for such ’80s hits as “We Got the Beat” and “Our Lips Are Sealed.” Thu., Oct. 4, 8pm. Chumash Casino, 3400 E. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez. Visit chumashcasino.com.

Shins

The quarter-life crisis cantors come to town with the Northwestern jangle-pop players the Shaky Hands for a night of awesome indie music. Sat., Oct. 6, 7pm. S.B. Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St. Call 962-7411 or visit sbbowl.com.

’80s and ’90s Tribute to Hip-Hop with Too White Crew

This flavorful fivesome hits the stage with their Fly Crew dancers to spread the hip-hop word. Sat., Oct. 6, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

The Microphones

Phil Elvrum fronts this lo-fi, high-energy, indie rock group that returns to town to commiserate with brokenhearted, angst-filled Santa Barbarans. Tue., Oct. 9, 8pm. Muddy Waters, 508 E. Haley St. Visit myspace.com/805showsaredumb.

Cash’d Out: A Tribute to Johnny Cash

Joaquin Phoenix played this legendary singer/songwriter in Walk the Line and now the mike is handed over to musicians dedicated to that authentic, beloved Cash sound. Fri., Oct. 12, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Willie & Lobo

This duo’s flamenco tunes are fused with hot jazz, reggae, and Tex-Mex sounds that embody the fiery passion of gypsy music. Mon., Oct. 15 and Tue., Oct. 16, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Electric Six

Motor City maniacs bring their “Sexy Trash” shenanigans to the West Coast. Wed., Oct. 17, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

B.B. King

The King of Blues will play all of his chart-topping wonders, including one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Best Songs of All Time, “The Thrill Is Gone.” Thu., Oct. 18, 8pm. Chumash Casino, 3400 E. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez. Visit chumashcasino.com.

S.B. Songwriter Showcase

This fall season, every third Thursday of the month marks an all-new showcase of local talent in an intimate setting. Starting things off right are lyrical masters Severin Browne, Anny Eastwood, and Lanny Sherwin. Thu., Oct. 18, 7pm. Jensen’s Mainstage, 2905 De la Vina St. Call 563-3200.

Sara Tavares

International superstar, composer, and solo artist, this Portuguese belle fuses gospel, funk, and soul to create a delicate and original contemporary sound. Thu., Oct. 18, 8:30pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Soul Majestic

Let your dreads down and get ready to groove to the reeling rhythms of these Santa Cruz reggae virtuosos. Fri., Oct. 26, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Anthony Ybarra

Ybarra will showcase his classical guitar playing with beats and rhythms stemming from Cuba, Brazil, Spain, and Mexico. Fri., Oct. 26, 7:30pm. Jensen’s Mainstage, 2905 De la Vina St. Call 563-3200.

West Beach Music Festival

Twin Productions presents and Adam Carolla hosts this day-long fest that features an as-yet-undisclosed headliner, as well as sets from Animal Liberation Orchestra, Iration, and many others. Sat., Oct. 27, 11am. West Beach, 300 W. Cabrillo Blvd. Visit westbeachmusicfestival.com.

Tegan and Sara

The cream of the Calgary crop, these singer/songwriter sisters are touring in support of their latest release, The Con. Wed., Oct. 31, 8pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 963-0761.

Chris Tomlin

Gospel Music Awards’ 2007 Artist of the Year delivers an evening of original Christian worship music. Fri., Nov. 2, 7pm. S.B. Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St. Call 962-7411 or visit sbbowl.com.

English Beat

Grab your favorite dancing partner to groove and grind to the reggae and punk-tinged pop sounds that preach love, unity, and peace. Fri., Nov. 2, 6pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Paula Fuga & The Girlas

Experience a night of Hawaiian language and island instruments delicately steeped in tradition. Sun., Nov. 4, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Saturday Looks Good to Me

Michigan-bred Fred Thomas brings his ever-changing lineup of indie folksters to town. Fri., Nov. 9, 8pm. Muddy Waters, 508 E. Haley St. Visit myspace.com/805showsaredumb.

Tori Amos

This multiplatinum pianist and singer/songwriter queen takes the stage in an emotionally charged performance just in time for the holidays. Thu., Dec. 13, 8pm. Arlington Theatre. Visit toriamos.com.

Oak Ridge Boys

These southern gentlemen have spent 30 years fusing gospel and country music to create a sound that is all their own. Thu., Dec. 13, 8pm. Chumash Casino, 3400 E. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez. Visit chumashcasino.com.