THE SCORE
Here's an unlikely pairing — ZZ Top and Brooks & Dunn
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.15.2008
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for what is likely to be the most intriguing country pairing of the summer concert season: ZZ Top and Brooks & Dunn Aug. 2 at Phoenix's Cricket Wireless Pavilion.
If you saw them at Casino del Sol's AVA last week, you were likely blown away by ZZ Top — a trio of weathered rockers still able to pull off the suave delivery of distinctive Southern rock classics. Two of the trio sport flowing gray beards that have been their trademark over the past couple decades.
Then there's B&D, country music's most celebrated duo. Kix Brooks is the ying to Ronnie Dunn's yang, two consummate entertainers who have set the bar so high it seems inconceivable any other duo can follow them in terms of awards, sales and chart success. All that aside, they are a hoot to see live, putting on a show that is equal parts hokey and cornball, and moving and memorable.
Also joining the lineup is opener Rodney Atkins.
This is the first time B&D and ZZ Top have toured together. They appeared together not long ago on a CMT television concert.
Reserved tickets are $42.50-$63.75 and lawn tickets are $33.75 through www.livenation.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
— Cathalena E. Burch
Michigan rockers visit the Old Pueblo this week
Tucson will become Detroit Rock City this week as some talented bands from Michigan stop by.
If you've ever been punched in the face by Jack White, you have something in common with Von Bondies lead singer Jason Stollsteimer.
White and Stollsteimer got into a scuffle earlier this decade, with photographic evidence circulated worldwide on music blogs.
Stollsteimer and his Detroit-area-spawned, garage-rocking Von Bondies roll into Club Congress Wednesday with New Zealand's Die! Die! Die!
Also playing is Tucson's answer to gritty Michigan rock, The Deludes.
The Von Bondies and Deludes in particular put on a heck of a live show, so get ready.
Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Doors open at 8 p.m.
In other Motown-area band news, the power-live show of The Dirtbombs hits Plush on Tuesday.
People talk about Dirtbombs shows months after, so take note.
Opening is Detroit's Terrible Twos and Alabama's Dan Sartain. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $10.
— Kevin W. Smith
To tell you the truth, Liars is headed to Plush
Whatever you think of New York three-piece Liars, know this: They're opening for Radiohead on its current national tour.
The divisive Liars couldn't sound further from Thom Yorke and the boys, but so it is.
Liars create aggro-experimental rock anchored by the spastic growlings of lanky vocalist Angus Andrew — the man who is said to have inspired the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' anthem "Maps."
Liars hit Plush next Thursday, after finishing up the May dates of the Radiohead tour. After performing at arenas, Andrew is probably going to be ready to get nuts at small venues again.
Opening is Tucson's The Lemon Drop Gang at 9:45 p.m. Tickets are $10.
— Kevin W. Smith
Michael P. wants you at his CD-release party
Tucson funkster Michael P. Nordberg will be having his CD-release party — and we do mean party — at The Hut on Friday.
"We're gonna Git Awn Down!!!!," wrote Nordberg in an e-mail.
Nordberg will be releasing his latest, "Hungry Like a Hound Dog," recorded here in town at Loveland Studio.
Nordberg creates quirky party starters, suitable for pint- waving bar throwdowns and backcountry hootenannies.
The show will feature a variety of musical guests. The cover is $3.
— Kevin W. Smith
It's a Collective effort from visiting bands
A good bill at Dry River Collective on Wednesday.
Seattle pop-psych act The Pharmacy plays with New York's Japanther.
Both bands sound full of potential, and Japanther in particular brings a highly infectious shambolic lo-fi sound that is the good kind of pop-punk.
Also playing is Tucson folkster Bradford Trojan as Count Chakra.
The show starts at 9 p.m. and is by donation.
— Kevin W. Smith
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