Winter Arts Pop & Rock Preview

Though our beloved Bowl may have closed up shop for the season, a quick look at some of the pop and rock acts currently scheduled to make their way through town will prove the arts don’t hibernate through Santa Barbara’s cooler months. And between SOhO’s always eclectic mix of rock and roots, Muddy Waters’ ever-expanding list of intimate indie acts, and musical icons like Ryan Adams and Rufus Wainwright all making stops in S.B. this winter, we recommend you bundle up, head on out, and take advantage of the laundry list of talent coming your way.

Delaney Gibson, Nathan McEuen, Cara Tower

This triple-threat lineup features some of the best pop, folk, and performance artists Santa Barbara County has to offer.

Thu., Jan. 17, 7pm. Jensen’s Mainstage, 2905 De la Vina St. Call 563-3200.

The English Beat, DJ Matt Armor

Enjoy an ’80s-tastic evening of skanking when the scratching of classic cuts meet some ska-inspired live tunes performed by everyone’s favorite dance band.

Fri., Jan. 18, 9:30pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

John McVey

This decorated folk singer/songwriter will travel all the way from Boulder, Colorado, to bring his approachable brand of acoustic rock to one of Santa Barbara’s better-kept live venue secrets.

Sat., Jan. 19, 8pm. Trinity Backstage Coffeehouse, 1500 State St. Call 962-2970 or visit trinitybackstage.com.

Soul Majestic

If authenticity is what you crave, check out some of North America’s finest reggae musicians, who pride themselves on roots-conscious music that blends dub step, dance hall, and old-school technique.

Sat., Jan. 19, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Ben Kenney and DJ Kilmore of Incubus

The former member of The Roots and current bass-slapper for the Calabasas-based superstars will perform alongside his fellow bandmate in support of his ongoing-and hard rocking-solo project.

Sun., Jan. 20, 10pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

Heralded as the folk and alt-country legend of our generation, Ryan Adams hits the road with his band in support of his multiple 2007 releases, Easy Tiger and Follow the Lights.

Mon., Jan. 21, 8pm. Arlington Theatre. Call 963-4408 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Paula Fuga, Culver City Dub Collective

This Hawaiian multi-instrumentalist who recently caught the attention of Jack Johnson takes the stage with the ever-changing CCDC lineup for a night of rootsy rock, rhythm, and soul.

Wed., Jan. 23, 8:30pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Hot Buttered Rum, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Known best as a rock band that plays bluegrass instruments, this collection of multitalented NorCal natives puts on a live show that is sure to delight.

Thu., Jan. 24, 8:30pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

KC and the Sunshine Band

Still proving that disco’s not dead, these ’70s dance icons will surely get the party started with classics like “That’s the Way (I Like It)” and “Get Down Tonight.”

Thu., Jan. 24, 8pm. Chumash Casino, 3400 E. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez. Visit chumashcasino.com.

The Blakes, Magic Bullets

It’ll be a night of big sound in a small space when Muddy Waters hosts The Blakes-a band Spin has glowingly compared to The Kinks and The Stooges.

Fri., Jan. 25, 8pm. Muddy Waters Cafe, 508 E. Haley St. Call 966-9328 or visit myspace.com/muddycafesb.

Which One’s Pink?

Indulge your need for all things psychedelic when the renowned Pink Floyd tribute band returns to town for another night of ’60s- and ’70s-inspired rock.

Sat., Jan. 26, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Circle Jerks

When former Black Flag frontman Keith Morris formed this iconic punk outfit in 1979, we doubt anyone knew they’d still be going strong almost 30 years later.

Sat., Jan. 26, 7pm. Majestic Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Call 653-0721 or visit venturatheater.net.

Robben Ford

A new album (2007’s Truth) and a recent Grammy nom for Best Contemporary Blues Album have left this guitarist riding high in the New Year.

Wed., Jan. 30, 8pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

EOTO (featuring members of String Cheese Incident)

Jason Hann and Michael Travis (of SCI fame) take on the electronica world with their funky blend of live break-beat and down-tempo music.

Sun., Feb. 3, 8:30pm. Sandbar, 514 State St. Call 966-1388 or visit myspace.com/sandbarsb.

Robin Trower

English rock icon-and former Procol Harum guitarist-goes solo for this special night of music in support of 2006’s live DVD, Living Out of Time.

Fri., Feb. 8, 7pm. Majestic Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Call 653-0721 or visit venturatheater.net.

Led Zepplica

Ventura’s own return to town for another night of re-imagined 1970s rock concert goodness and Zeppelin cover tunes so accurate you’ll do a double take.

Sat., Feb. 9, 9:30pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Groundation and Will Bernard from Motherbug

The Bay Area’s reggae purveyors return from two years of globe trotting and touring to hit the stage for the 6th Annual Tribute to Bob Marley.

Sun., Feb. 10, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Animal Liberation Orchestra

Jack Johnson’s beloved funkateers revisit the town they once called home for a night of jamming in support of 2007’s Roses & Clover.

Tue., Feb. 12, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Blue Turtle Seduction

This once-varying musical co-op from the backcountry of Lake Tahoe, California, prides itself on its live shows and eclectic, genre-straddling style. Think hip-hop meets mountain reggae.

Fri., Feb. 15, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Bayside

Despite their innocuous moniker (taken from their hometown in Queens, New York), this emo rock quartet packs a mighty punch and a muted punk sensibility unlike many of their contemporaries.

Fri., Feb. 15, 7pm. Majestic Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Call 653-0721 or visit venturatheater.net.

St. Vincent, Foreign Born, The Coral Sea, Watercolor Paintings

A night of multitalented indie rockers featuring former Polyphonic Spree contributor and Sufjan Stevens’s bandmate, Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent), as the evening’s headliner.

Sat., Feb. 16, 9pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Nerf Herder

Santa Barbara-based nerd rockers take to the Goodland for a sneak preview of songs off their upcoming album, Nerf Herder IV, set for release in mid March.

Sat., Feb. 16, 10pm. The Mercury Lounge, 5871 Hollister Ave., Goleta. Call 967-0907 or visit myspace.com/mercurylounge.

Gregory Isaacs and the Live Wyya Band

The prolific Jamaican artist-and man behind Simply Red’s classic cover “Night Nurse”-takes his feel-good vibes and dance-hall tunes on the road.

Tue., Feb. 19, 9pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Blue Cheer, Annihilation Time, Retrodemon

Though they may have seen the psychedelic heyday back in the 1970s, these S.F.-based acid rockers are still truckin’-currently in support of last year’s album, What Doesn’t Kill You : .

Thu., Feb. 21, 8pm. Velvet Jones, 423 State St. Call 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com.

Alissa Moreno, John Stowers, Rebecca Chapman

February’s Jensen Mainstage showing includes a fine smattering of rootsy pop rockers and country twangers, running in conjunction with this year’s Durango Songwriter’s Expo.

Thu., Feb. 21, 7pm. Jensen’s Mainstage, 2905 De la Vina St. Call 563-3200.

Perpetual Groove

Part arena rock, part acid jazz, part psychedelic jam band, and part electronica, this quartet out of Athens, Georgia, is sure to tear the roof off any club it plays.

Thu., Feb. 28, TBD. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Punch Brothers, featuring Chris Thile

Best known for his mandolin and vocal contributions to the Grammy Award-winning trio, Nickel Creek, this multi-instrumentalist will prove he’s got more up his sleeve when he hits the road with one of his many side projects.

Sat., Mar. 1, TBD. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Rufus Wainwright

Canada’s most celebrated singer, songwriter, pianist, opera rock virtuoso, and avid Judy Garland fan will play an intimate solo performance in celebration of last year’s Release the Stars.

Thu., Mar. 6, 7:30pm. Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St. Call 884-4087.

Hotel Cafe Tour, featuring Ingrid Michaelson and Cary Brothers

With past Hotel Cafe Tour participants including Imogen Heap, Badly Drawn Boy, and M. Ward-just to name a few-there’s no better place to catch a glimpse of L.A.’s most notable up-and-comers.

Fri., Mar. 7, 8pm. Stateside, 1114 State St. Call 564-1000 or visit statesidesb.com.

The Atomic Punks

Created in the same vein as L.A.’s Metal Skool, this hard rockin’ Van Halen tribute band will provide even the biggest hair band fans with all the throwback tunes they need.

Sat., Mar. 8, 9:30pm. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Angels and Airwaves

Former Blink-182 guitarist, Box Car Racer frontman, and veritable pop punk icon Tom DeLonge takes his new act on the road in support of its sophomore effort, I-Empire.

Tue., Mar. 11, 7pm. Majestic Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Call 653-0721 or visit venturatheater.net.

Tommy Castro Band

If blues, soul, and Southern rock is what you crave, check out San Jose’s own Tommy Castro, who has opened for legendary musicians like B.B. King and recorded with the late, great John Lee Hooker.

Sun., Mar. 16, TBD. SOhO, 1221 State St. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com.

Natalie D-Napoleon, Rob Raede, Burleigh Skidmore

S.B.’s favorite Australian songstress hits the stage alongside some decidedly California-inspired songwriters at March’s Santa Barbara Songwriter Showcase.

Thu., Mar. 20, 7pm. Jensen’s Mainstage, 2905 De la Vina St. Call 563-3200.