Disco Beats and Rasta Rhythms
SHAKE YOUR BOOTY: On Thursday, January 17, the Chumash Casino (3400 Highway 246, Santa Ynez) will get a funky makeover when ’70s sensations KC and the Sunshine Band take to the stage. Even though these disco icons produced most of their hits more than three decades ago, KCSB have revamped their band lineup and released a new album (2006’s Yummy) in the interim. And with a high-powered touring career that has spanned this long without showing any signs of slowing down, KC and the Sunshine Band prove that they’ve got the staying power to survive even today’s fickle music industry. From number one hits to critically acclaimed albums-to being sampled by contemporary hip-hop artists-these groove makers challenge skeptics who thought they’d died with disco. We advise making the short jaunt up north-it’ll give you the oh-so-rare chance to get down to the sound of music history. For tickets and directions, call (800) 585-3737 or visit chumashcasino.com. -Jessica Small
WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS: Music lovers with a penchant for punchy lyrics and the kind of heartfelt acoustic stylings only the most sensitive of musicians can produce should head out to SOhO (1221 State St.) on Tuesday, January 15, when three-piece acoustic rockers Threes and Nines grace the stage along with indie folk rockers Watercolor Paintings and local protest rockers Clitorectomy & The Mutilators. With their sweet strumming and lovingly crafted lyrics, the Central Coast’s own Threes and Nines are already well on their way to acoustic alt-rock stardom, having recently contributed a song to the ABC series What About Brian. Between thumping out bass lines on a ukulele and employing the rockin’ rhythms of a toy drum, Watercolor Paintings turns out folksy, fantasy-tinged lo-fi love songs and charmingly child-like ditties with titles like “Pillow Fight” and “Smile.” And, of course, Santa Barbara’s own Clitorectomy & The Mutilators provide plenty of alt-rock angst with a surprisingly sweet country twist. See them all, starting at 8 p.m. Call 962-7776 for details. -Mollie Vandor
DAZED AND CONFUSED: After all the social kowtowing and rites of passage turn into distant memories, senior year often stands as a beacon of hard work and dues righteously paid. Senior Year, Santa Barbara’s favorite pop cover band, is as freeing as high school’s end without the effort, responsibility, or subsequent fall from grace when it’s all said and done. Performing pop, rock, and hip-hop hits that range from Kelly Clarkson and Justin Timberlake to the Black Eyed Peas, these fun and frenzied rockers are sure to make your night one for the books. Catch Senior Year with classmates World Peace Leaders at Velvet Jones (423 State St.) on Tuesday, January 15. Visit velvet-jones.com or call 965-8676 for details. -Jessica Hilo
WEST COAST COUNTRY: It’s that time again, when country pop powerhouse Rikka Z graces Santa Barbara with her lovely presence. The Ojai native calls her music “coastal country,” but in person her shtick is a bit more complex. Z fuses country with pop and folk nuances, creating a soothing yet catchy sound. Her vocals are that of a young Emmylou Harris with pixie-like overtones, and her honest, emotional lyrics will bring a tear to any listener’s eye. Sean Wiggins joins the songstress as the evening’s opening act, with a voice that is reminiscent of Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt but a style that outshines any comparisons. So, if your “rodeo heart” is achin’ for some good country tunes, head down to SOhO (1221 State St.) on Sunday, January 13, at 7:30 p.m. with your best cowboy boots on. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com for details. -JS
TRENCHTOWN.ORG: It never ceases to amaze me what one can find online, given certain parameters and time for boredom. For example, wikipedia.org boasts an online Rastafarian dictionary that informed me that the name of the Santa Barbara-based band Iration means “creation.” This comes as no surprise, as the band’s sound is a new rock-inflected spin on older dub reggae acts like Steel Pulse, Ooklah the Moc, and Mikey Dread-one that thankfully moves away from the dancehall music of Sean Paul. With a recent album release, No Time for Rest, and plenty of shows under their belt, Iration is sure to put on a show that is not to be missed. Check it out Saturday, January 12, at 10 p.m. at Velvet Jones. Visit velvet-jones.com for more information. -JH
