Positively State Street

GOT ROCK?: For those of you who have never partaken of one of UCSB’s Associated Students-sponsored noontime shows, I highly encourage you to take a long lunch this Tuesday, February 10. For one hour only, the L.A.-based garage rock outfit the Ringers (myspace.com/theringersband) will set up and rock out in Storke Plaza for anyone and everyone within earshot. Fronted by sometime actor Joe Hursley (the face and guitar chops behind White Gold, the genius fake rock band developed for the latest Got Milk? campaign), the Ringers have been picking up some much-deserved buzz since they formed in 2006. Known for their onstage antics, energy-fueled live shows, and the fact that three of the four bandmembers are named “Joe,” it’s no surprise that they’re being credited with bringing rock back to the Sunset Strip. The Ringers recently released a sophomore LP, Headlocks and Highkicks, that conveys the rock ‘n’ roll wrath their concertgoers have come to expect, combined with killer guitar work, and vocals that call to mind Iggy and the Stooges. Not too bad for a band known best for throwing a killer party.

“I’m so excited there won’t be as many wasted people,” said Hurlsey recently while discussing the upcoming UCSB show. “It’s always fun to rock out with people at bars : but it’s nice to play the all-ages and get a good mix. The Ringers are all birthed out of this big party, though, and I can’t turn my back on our roots.” Amen.

For more from the Ringers, visit independent.com/theringers.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE: For those of you who can remember back to a late 1990s Isla Vista, the Messengers‘ name will likely ring a bell. Not long after forming in UCSB’s neighboring ‘hood, the six-piece reggae band went on to find quite the following, playing grooves alongside such heavyweights as Animal Liberation Orchestra (alomusic.com) and Pato Banton (patobanton.com). Of course, as with so many I.V. outfits, the ensemble eventually called it quits in exchange for some pretty notable real world jobs. (Vocalist Eric Cardenas is currently the program director at the Environmental Defense Center; guitarist Corey Linbeg is now making the rounds with S.B.’s Cornerstone.)

And while the Messengers’ band members have most definitely kept it local, the group itself has not plugged in and played live in town in nearly two years. This Saturday, February 7, whether or not you were there in the beginning, you can check the boys out live and in person when they take of the stage at SOhO (1221 State St.) for a very special reunion concert. For a truly nominal cover charge (only $5), guests will be treated to a night of positive, uplifting, and socially conscious roots music that got its start right in our own backyard. The fellas are also reaching back to their I.V. roots and making a party out of the show. Attendees are encouraged to dress to match the show’s theme, Smooth and Silky. Sounds like a good old-fashioned homage to the D.P. pajama party to me. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com for details.

PUNK’S SECOND COMING: Long before the rise of Zwan, Audioslave, and Velvet Revolver, there were the Adolescents (myspace.com/theadolescents). The Orange County punk supergroup first came together in the early 1980s as a joint project between the gents of Agent Orange (myspace.com/agentorange) and the prolific rock ‘n’ rollers behind Social Distortion (socialdistortion.com). Since rising on the scene, the collective has released four studio albums, gone through a ridiculous number of lineup changes (laying claim to former Foo Fighter Pat Smear for a short stint back in ’81), and probably trashed more dressing rooms than we can ever imagine. Today, the now-five-piece band, consisting of Tony Reflex, Steve Soto, Frank Agnew, Derek O’Brien, and Matt Beld, is back to its old tricks and allegedly hard at work on album number five. Friday, February 6, the Adolescents will play Velvet Jones (423 State St.) as part of an extra-exclusive three-show tour of California. The party starts at 9 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at ticketweb.com.