There comes a time in every rocker's life when he grows weary of performing that signature hit, night after night. Even the metalheads of KISS are bound to stop wanting to rock 'n' roll all night (and party every day). Not Dick Dale. "The King of Surf Guitar," who slams into the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School, on Wednesday, December 8, says he's always on board to blast out "Miserlou," his pulpy surf theme. "That's one thing I can't understand, you know?" Dale tells New Times. "I never play the same song the same way twice anyway . . . so I never get tired of playing it." Wielding his ax on coast-to-coast tours is also something the 67-year-old legend can never get enough of. "I'll do it 'til I drop, because when I play, everything is 100 percent-plus. I used to have a saying: 'When I stop playing, it'll be in one big explosion of body parts onstage.'" Doors open at 8 p.m., with Flathead opening. Tickets are $25. Call 480-784-4444 or see www.ticketmaster.com. -- Benjamin Leatherman
Red, White and Blue-collar
Hook up with Larry the Cable Guy
Sat 12/4
Larry the Cable Guy was born in the back of an El Camino during a Foghat concert. At least that's what he says on his official Web site bio. He also touts the things he believes in: the right to bear arms, free speech, and that "chicken fried steak and gravy taste better than a cheerleader on game day." It's an interesting list of moral tenets from a guy who follows almost everything he says with either "Lord, I apologize" or "Git-R-done!" The blue-collar cutup hits America West Arena, 201 East Jefferson, at 8 p.m. Saturday, December 4. Tickets cost $37.25. Call 480-784-4444. -- Niki D'Andrea
Weakness for Poetry
Poet visits Changing Hands
Fri 12/3
She calls herself a "slam formalist," or even a "standup sonnetist." But any way you spin it, Jill Williams is a poet -- and she knows it. Williams will read excerpts from her book A Weakness for Men at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 South McClintock in Tempe, on Friday, December 3, beginning at 7 p.m. Williams explains that the book is a collection of poetry with a common theme: searching for the perfect mate. The content is mostly biographical, but the "names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent." Williams, who is not a fan of freeform poetry, says most people think formal poetry is too stuffy, but she insists they're wrong and argues that, although her prose is formal, it's still fun. She also has a tendency to perform her work instead of just reading it, so her appearances have quite the dramatic flair. See some of Williams' verses at www.jillwilliams.com. -- C. Murphy Hebert
