Sun Daes Makes Its SOhO Debut

TRIPLE-HEADER: Every so often, an event comes along that makes us tip our hats and raise our glasses to Santa Barbara’s resident music makers. This Thursday, April 3, is one of those nights. It’s then that 805 outfits Ghost Tiger, Erland, and Sun Daes join forces at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club (1221 State St.) for a triple bill that promises to renew your faith in the scene. While Ghost Tiger and Erland have both beautifully graced the SOhO stage on multiple occasions, the night will serve as Sun Daes’ biggest downtown S.B. showing to date. The Isla Vista quartet includes bassist JD Severino, drummer Jared Payzant, guitarist/vocalist Gabe Poissant, and guitarist/vocalist Max Goldenstein, who together craft breezy, nostalgic pop rock akin to contemporaries like Real Estate, Beach Fossils, and the (sadly) now-defunct Girls. Sixties surf rock is an obvious influence, but it’s certainly not the only trick up Sun Daes’ sleeve. Take, for example, the guitar melodies, which are layered to create a sound that’s both surreal and oddly pastoral. In short, if you need a new act to keep an eye on, these kids are it.

Sun Daes opens for Erland and Ghost Tiger at 8 p.m. Call (805) 962-7776 or visit nightout.com/ca/santa-barbara for tickets and info.

HEATING UP: Speaking of Isla Vista exports, this week marks one very big release for I.V. party rockers The Fire Department. Following in the grand tradition of their UCSB-adjacent predecessors, the quintet cooks up tunes that are prime for I.V.’s “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem” mantra. (Fittingly, the band was named the university’s Battle of the Bands winner in 2011.) As far as sonic influences go, they’re melding funk, soul, ska, and reggae, but the vocal deliveries immediately conjure thoughts of a sax-backed Jason Mraz. If there was ever an area act more apt to headline a bonfire, I’ve yet to find it. This Thursday, April 3, The Fire Department officially unveils their Underwater EP at Velvet Jones (423 State St.). They’ll be joined by Los Angeles band Decorator, as well as 805 staples Freakin’ on Speakers and Strangers You Know. The show starts at 8 p.m. Call (805) 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com for tickets and info.

ALSO THIS WEEK: If you’re looking for more concert action, I recommend heading south to Ventura’s Bombay Bar and Grill (143 S. California St.) on Friday, March 28, where Santa Barbara surf popsters Dante Elephante team up with former Venturans Tall Tales and the Silver Lining for a night of guaranteed-to-be-great live music. Call (805) 643-4404 for tickets and info. Also, this week, the Biko Co-op Garage (612 Sueno Rd.) is back from spring break and ready for action. On Saturday, March 29, the DIY space hosts Blooomington, Indiana, acts Toby Foster and Ginger Alford alongside Santa Barbara’s own Cave Babies and Puchullbanouh. And on Monday, March 31, the space welcomes San Diego surf punks The Frights and Pilgrims. Both shows start at 8 p.m. Visit sbdiy.org for info.