COMINGS & GOINGS: While the weekend may have appeared a fairly quiet one in terms of the where to go, whom to see, and what to do, it also made for plenty of less-than-obvious musical meanderings. Take, for example, the punk rock explosion that Velvet Jones (423 State St.) played host to on Saturday night. Hailing at least partly from our own S.B. streets, the now Los Angeles-based ladies behind Bitchfits-yes, that’s Bitchfits-held the show together with their all-girl take on Glenn Danzig’s once prolific (and now defunct) rock outfit. Leading lady-and San Marcos High alum-Patty Lagana (aka “Gwen Standzbig”) brought friends along to freak out on what would be the band’s last stateside trip for some time. Starting Thursday, April 10, the Bitchfits are headed across the pond for a month-long European tour.
Opening up the show for everyone’s favorite “bitches doin’ Misfits” were current Santa Barbara dwellers Damaged Goods and the Trousers, who provided their fair share of mosh-inducing, thrashy tunes la Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys, and Social Distortion. The Trousers will be teaming up with Bandpax and The Outskirts next Friday, April 11, at Creekside Inn (4444 Hollister Ave.) at 9 p.m. for yet another night of ruckus. Visit myspace.com/trousersmusic, myspace.com/thebitchfits, and myspace.com/damagedgoods for more info.
Meanwhile, the less organized were taking to the streets, backyards, and beaches in an effort to hone their craft sans the bright stage lights of downtown. In anticipation of his Wednesday night gig opening Elsie’s first installment of the Live to Dream short story and poetry reading series, consummate troubadour Louie Andrus plugged in for an intimate jam session among friends high atop the Hope Ranch hills. The end result was a bevy of groove-worthy acoustic tunes-and an impromptu guitar lesson that lasted well into the wee morning hours. For a listen, visit myspace.com/louieandrus.
The jam sesh carried right on through ’til Sunday, when Santa Barbara staple Alastair Greene headed to Whiskey Richard’s (453 State St.) for an acoustic mid-afternoon set with Chris Chalk. The ever-touring Greene will next head to Ojai for another duet with Chalk on Friday, April 11, at the Deer Lodge (2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai). For a full-and extensive-list of upcoming shows, visit myspace.com/alastairgreeneband.
SALT ‘N’ PEPPER: For the news-hungry: Santa Barbara’s very own reggae rockers Iration have been brought on as the supporting act for Pepper‘s upcoming national tour. While the party may not start for this epic pairing until Thursday, April 10 (the That’s Where I Want to Be Tour kicks off in Modesto, California, at Fat Cat), the band behind the I.V. anthem “Walk of Shame” will be saying goodbye to S.B. this Thursday, April 3, at Velvet Jones. Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds will also be on hand to open the show. Visit myspace.com/iration for the full tour itinerary. Congrats, guys!
SPOTTED! While I rarely get starstruck, I do feel the need to put to print that record producer, Columbia Records co-head, and all-in-all musical genius Rick Rubin was spotted spending a portion of his Sunday night out and about downtown S.B. The man behind such prolific albums as Tom Petty’s Wildflowers, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and Johnny Cash’s Unchained dined out with an unknown pretty young thing for a little less than an hour before departing to who knows where. Whether she’s the Next Big Thing or simply an acquaintance remains to be seen-but that doesn’t mean I won’t be keeping an eye out.