Sammy Hagar's career spans 30 years, including 10 years with Van Halen. "The Red Rocker's" biggest solo hit, "I Can't Drive 55," was released in 1984, which begs the question: When is he going to update the lyrics to reflect current speed limits? "I changed the song," Hagar tells New Times. "NASCAR licensed the song and asked me to change it to 65, so I did that for them. But in concert, I still say 55. It's a classic, you know? You can't mess with a classic."
On Tuesday, August 9, Sammy Hagar & The Wabos hit the Dodge Theatre, 400 West Washington, to rock a designer stage that resembles Cabo Wabo, Hagar's bar in Mexico. About 75 fans will sit at the bar onstage while bartenders serve them drinks. "I go up there and hang with the people," Hagar says. "It's very interactive. It's really more of a party than a show."
Party with Hagar and his classics at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $45. Call 480-784-4444. -- Niki D'Andrea
Green Piece
When plants talk back
8/9-8/14
Everyone knows not to trust an advice-doling, blood-craving shrub, especially one that mysteriously appears after a solar eclipse. Well . . . everyone except Little Shop of Horrors über-nerd Seymour Krelborn. Graceless and love-struck, Seymour wants to gain the affection of his co-worker Audrey, and his newfound plant-confidant promises to make his dreams come true, in return for some flesh-and-bone meals. Everything runs smoothly until Seymour realizes he's just the pawn in a plan for world domination. Humorous song-and-dance creeps in. Comedy ensues. Little Shop of Horrors, playing at Gammage Auditorium (at Mill and Apache in Tempe) Tuesday, August 9, through August 14, presents this ever-relevant commentary on the consequences of loneliness, desire and compromise. Showtimes vary. Tickets cost $19.75 to $65. Call 480-965-6678. -- Evan Wyloge
Audio Alchemy
Don't pin Dead Science down
SAT 8/6
The members of Dead Science are mysterious types. The staple of the Seattle music scene is dark, brooding and defiant of genres. Luckily, the band makes a stop at Stinkweeds, 1250 East Apache in Tempe, on Saturday, August 6, to give us a chance to figure it out. Two-thirds of the Dead Science trio, siblings Jherek and Korum Bischoff, used to run a jazz jam night. The brothers' training in jazz definitely influences the sound, but Dead Science is in no way a jazz group. The band blends rock, jazz and pop to create a unique style that might be compared to Blonde Redhead, the Bad Seeds, or Tortoise. The show starts at 10 p.m. Admission is $5. See www.stinkweeds.com. -- Chelsea Ide
