The Score
: Longtime writer of Christian music loses his religion
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.01.2009
For more than a decade, David Bazan wrote songs about Christianity and faith for Pedro the Lion, a Seattle band.
The group had a rotating cast of members (including Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard), but Bazan was a constant.
Now a solo act, Bazan is playing clubs and private house shows in support of his new album, "Curse Your Branches." He's driving to performances in his new touring van, which he bought after a fundraiser where he sold "I helped Bazan Buy a Van" T-shirts on his Web site, davidbazan.com.
"Curse Your Branches" describes Bazan's recent struggles with addiction and his transition from Christian to agnostic. In a story for the Chicago Reader, Bazan's former publicist says, "It's a harrowing breakup record — except he's dumping God, Jesus and the evangelical life."
Bazan will perform Monday night at Solar Culture, 31 E. Toole Ave.
Tickets are $10.
Say Hi will open the show at 9 p.m.
Coley Ward
Sibling Celtic quartet GiveWay performs tonight at Tubac Plaza
Tubac goes Scottish tonight as the sibling Celtic quartet GiveWay plays at Tubac Plaza.
The group, made up of four sisters from Edinburgh, plays mostly traditional and contemporary instrumentals from across the pond.
They come to Southern Arizona with their third album, "Lost in This Song," created with help from Celtic superproducer and accordionist Phil Cunningham.
Guest musicians on the release include Ross Hamilton, Cunningham, Mairi Campbell, Robert McFall and Sua Lee.
The show starts at 6 p.m. Admission is $18, with discounts available. For more information, call 398-2542.
Gerald M. Gay
Hip-hop's Pitbull, top dog in Miami, coming to Rialto for Sunday show
Officials in Miami gave hip-hop artist Pitbull a key to the city in August.
He was honored for all of the positive publicity he has generated for South Florida through his music since stepping into the national spotlight in 2004.
Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Christian Pérez, is in heavy rotation at hip-hop stations across the country with the song "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)," from his latest release, "Rebelution."
His music is big in the clubs, and nearly every one of his songs praises the 305 (one of Miami's area codes) in one way or another.
Miami's honored son will play at the Rialto Theatre on Sunday.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $29 in advance and $35 at the door. Call 740-1000.
Gerald M. Gay
The Almost, a Fla. alt-rock band, will play at Club Congress Monday
The Almost, an alternative-rock band from Clearwater, Fla., is the side project of Aaron Gillespie, one of the founding members of Christian metal-core band Underoath.
The band will release its new album, "Monster Monster," in November, and a "Monster EP" is available now on the band's MySpace page and at Hot Topic retail stores.
The Almost will play at Club Congress on Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $14.
This Providence and the Dares will open.
Coley Ward
The Subdudes, from New Orleans, play the Rialto on Wednesday night
The Subdudes, a New Orleans original with roots in blues, funk, gospel and R&B, are bringing "Flower Petals" to the Rialto Theatre on Wednesday.
The new release, the band's fourth since 2003, is a concept album with an Old West theme, revolving around the reflections of a dead soldier.
The lyrics are rich, and the harmonies are superb.
That's more than enough reason to catch the band when it plays Wednesday.
The show begins at 8 p.m., and tickets cost $22 to $26 through the Rialto box office. Call 740-1000.
Gerald M. Gay
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