Positively State Street

ROCK LOBSTERS: You have to admire any group of musicians that call themselves “the world’s greatest party band.” With their quirky combination of contemporary dance beats and catchy harmonies, it’s no surprise that the B-52s‘ self-titled debut album went platinum when it was released in 1979. Their wacky hairstyles, colorful, retro-chic costumes, and kitschy stage shows catapulted them into the national spotlight and made them a huge success in the overseas dance music markets. Despite the death of original guitarist Ricky Wilson in 1985, the band persevered and reentered the music scene in 1988. From there, it was just a short trip to the “Love Shack,” the band’s biggest hit. Released on the B-52s’ 1989 album Cosmic Thing, the song was a wild homage to the little old shack where they wrote their first hit, complete with rusted tin roof and glitter on the mattress. Now the B-52s are getting ready to release Funplex-their first entirely new album in almost a decade-and the band is hopping in their Cadillac and heading to the Chumash Casino (3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez), where they will be performing at 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 15. Don’t forget to bring your jukebox money. Visit chumashcasino.com for details. -Mollie Vandor

ON THE MAINSTAGE: They strum your pain with their fingers; they sing your life with their words. On Thursday, November 15, three special Santa Barbara songwriters will kill you softly with their songs-an experience that should be more affecting and entertaining than it initially sounds. The Santa Barbara Songwriter Showcase presents its tenth monthly show, with L.A. Music Award-winning artist Jamie Green. She will be preceded by openers Donna O’Connor, a teacher and folksinger, and the talented folk/blues guitarist Al Marcelline. These acts exhibit a powerfully eclectic blend of musicianship and lyrical poignancy that satisfy rock and folk sensibilities of all persuasions. The show goes from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Jensen Guitar MainStage, located at 2905 De la Vina St. -Tyler Vickers

COUNTING GEIGER: As I listened to Teddy Geiger scratchily croon in a manner that’s all too indicative of his genre (bringing to mind John Mayer and Gavin DeGraw), I couldn’t help but imagine the nasal mating call of a nearby, properly soused blonde screeching an, “Oh my god, I love this sooooong!” But despite his boyish good looks and tween popularity, Teddy Geiger is an actual musician-talented and accomplished. Geiger first found mainstream success as a finalist for VH1’s In Search of the Partridge Family; and though he is too contemplative and instrumentally savvy for the likes of David Cassidy, he’s not too alternative for UCSB’s After Hours at the Hub series. Geiger is joined by indie singer/songwriter David Hopkins; whose sincerity sounds more like coffeehouse tunes and less like MTV’s Spring Break. Still, the disparity won’t disappoint. Geiger, Hopkins, and friends Cameron Lund and Coragem perform an all-ages show at UCSB’s Hub Friday, November 16 at 8:30 p.m. Visit asprogramboard.com for more information. -Jessica Hilo

METAL GOES COUNTRY: Grab your cowboy boots and get ready to headbang along with a fresh new metal band that celebrates pushing the boundaries of music and living life on the edge. Hellyeah-a mishmash of members from the highly acclaimed bands Mudvayne, Pantera, and Nothingface-strays far from the dangerous, one-dimensional metal band stereotype by producing a rebellious and diverse metal-meets-Southern-rock sound. Their recently released self-titled debut album, including an instrumental piece and country blues ballad, has already tied them with Korn for the highest chart position earned by a hard rock artist in 2007. The perfect combination of daring and talent, their show will certainly be one to see. Don’t miss them this Friday, November 16 at the Majestic Ventura Theatre (26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura). Call 653-0721 for tickets. -Stephanie Flint

SHOW BERRILICIOUS: Isla Vista’s newest frozen yogurt supplier and hang-out hotspot will host an open mike night titled MCC in IV: A Night of Self Expression. Co-sponsored by I.V. Live, the event is for anyone willing and wanting to hop to the mike and share their skills in poetry, dance, or song. In true I.V. fashion, Berrilicious is looking to feature its extensive outdoor and indoor seating as a venue for delivering live music and performances. The MultiCultural Center hosts an open-mike night quarterly as one of its 100-plus events annually aiming to increase cultural awareness and understanding. As always, the MCC will work closely with I.V. Live to bridge the space between student learning and community interaction. And let’s face it, the fact that you can enjoy a delicious treat with the beat-well, it doesn’t get much better. Admission is free, and the party takes place Thursday, November 15 at 8 p.m. Berrilicious is located at 956 Embarcadero del Norte. -Bianca Calhoun

AMERICAN GYPSY: It’s no surprise that singer/songwriter and stand-up bassist Amy LaVere lived in 13 different towns throughout the country before entering high school. The country-jazz-gypsy-funk stylings of her first two albums could have come only from a girl well-versed in Americana. In LaVere’s latest offering, Anchors & Anvils, her swooning vocals merge with twangy bass, jazz-lounge percussion, and a deliciously baleful musing on a murder of passion that “didn’t make the love go away”-and that’s just in the opening track. While decidedly unclassifiable, LaVere’s style is reminiscent of Norah Jones at her darkest and most world-weary, and the Southern folksiness of Dolly Parton. Wildly innovative and several decades in the making, LaVere’s sound is one of the coolest to emerge out of the modern alt-country movement in recent years. Check out her set at Jensen Guitar (2905 De la Vina) on Friday, November 16, at 8 p.m. Call 563-3200 for info. -Joel Aurora

NOT YOUR MAMA’S ROCKABILLY: Santa Barbara’s own Big Jugs are coming back to Muddy Waters Cafe (508 E. Haley St.) on Friday, November 16 for a full night of good ole country with a modern kick. Not for the faint of heart, Big Jugs celebrate the rowdy lifestyle of cowboy shenanigans through their bouncy, catchy sound and daring, edgy lyrics. A more merciless version of Johnny Cash, Big Jugs will produce a solid night of good tunes and maniacal antics. Opening for the Big Jugs are fellow local talents, the Pistol Shots (formerly known as Breadwinner). Wear your favorite pair of ass-kickin’ boots; show starts at 8 p.m. -SF