That nutty naturalist Henry David Thoreau once wrote, "All good things are cheap."
Frankly, we couldn't agree with the Walden author more, especially since our weekend roundup if chock full of events and gigs that are both boffo and bargain minded. There's hip-hop shows, industrial rock blowouts, and even some free booze.
Take a look-see for yourself:
House 7340 vs. FauxShow at Axis/Radius (Friday)
Who'd win in a fight between Jared Alan and Tranzit? If you're talking fisticuffs, it probably would be pretty evenly matched (although if things got dirty, Alan's flowing locks might become a liability). But when it comes who's the better DJ (or who's got the biggest fanbase), that remains to be seen. We'll find out when the pair of beat-blasters (and their respective crews) come together in Scottsdale for a night of electro vs. house, Phoenix vs. Scottsdale, and douches vs. hipsters. 9 p.m., $8. 7340 East Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480-970-1112)
GS Boyz at Afterlife (Friday)
Pop quiz: Know how to do the Stanky Leg? It's simple, fool: Just stick your left leg out and kinds rotate it around while waving yo hands in the air (we think). There, now you're prepared to attend the GS Boyz (which is short for "Them G-Spot Boyz") show at this after-hours Scottsdale nightspot, where the Texas hip-hop fivesome is guaranteed to bust out with the song of the same name. Power 98.3's Tio Gio and Bruce will host. 8 p.m., $5 before 10:30 p.m. (4282 North Drinkwater Boulevard).
Asteria at Modified Arts (Friday)
To a classics scholar, Asteria is the mythical goddess who drowned herself in lieu of a non-consensual shtupping by the all-powerful Zeus. She's a symbol of feminine power and defiance. To fans of Midwestern pop-punk, Asteria are five well-dressed twenty-somethings with week-old stubble who sound a little like Hit the Lights or any number of smirky, would-be Jimmy Eat Worlds. You think the guys know about their proto-feminist namesake? Maybe not. According to band lore, drummer Sam Henderson came up with the name while reading a gardening book; it sounded like "wisteria" which is a climbing vine with super-pretty purple flowers. Which begs the question: Are Asteria the handsome twits that this anecdote paints them to be? After listening to a few cuts from their self-titled, self-produced EP, which they released last year, I think it remains a solid possibility. Despite a smattering of catchy hooks, particularly on the good-time anthem "Hoods & Capers" there's a fatal lack of disorder in the songwriting; it's slick, meticulous and depressingly obedient. In other words, it's a pop-punk album that has as much in common with classic punk as a neo-liberal does with a regular liberal. Which is to say, zip. A Love Like Pi, Theatre Breaks Loose, Gabriel The Marine, and Atlantic Aftermath serve as opening acts for the show. 7 p.m., $8 (407 East Roosevelt Street, 602-462-5516) -- Craig Outhier
Dream Fridays at Myst (Friday)
Radio advertisements have been blasting out over Power 98.3 and 101.5 Jamz over the past few days trumpeting the fact that Dream Fridays drew in more than 20,000 peeps during its debut last weekend. Wonder if they can top that number (hyperbolic or not) this time 'round. Given the fact that promoters are promising an open bar featuring Ciroc and Nuvo until 10 p.m., free Hennessy Black from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., and DJ Phlava and SugaBear in the mix, it seems they'll have a better than average shot at pulling a repeat. 9 p.m., free before 11 p.m. for those who get on the guestlist here. (7340 East Shoeman Lane, Scottsdale, 480-970-5000).
The Plainfield Butchers at Palo Verde Lounge (Friday) Infused with groovy keyboard tones and warbling, distortion-heavy sound firmly rooted in the garage vein, the Plainfield Butchers are retro rockers to the third degree. If you needed any more incentive to check out their live gigs, the foursome is putting on a free show this weekend at the Dirty Verde. 9 p.m., free. (1015 West Broadway Road, Tempe, 480-968-9221)
Urban Renewal Film Festival at the Trunk Space (Saturday)
Feeling guilty about your shabby chic trustafarian existence? Stop by the Grand Avenue performance venue for an evening of social consciousness and DIY moxy as this traveling grassroots festival will screen docs concerning such vital urban issues as sustainable housing, food sharing, cooperative ownership, and more left-leaning subjects. The lineup includes such films as We Own It and We Need Food Not Bombs. Power to the people, yo. 6 p.m., $6. (1506 Grand Avenue, 602-256-6006).
Zinforge at Bandlands Music Venue (Saturday) Local industrial rockers Zinforge, Politik 89, Gnomish Machine Gun, Human Experimentation, Pushing Buttons, and other ear-damaging outfits take over this east Mesa music venue for a night of decibel blasting. 7 p.m., $5. (5626 East Main Street, Mesa)
Rhythm Soul Funke Show at Sail Inn (Saturday)If one of your friends ever allows this phrase to purse his or her lips -- "The Phoenix music scene sucks" -- we suggest defriending the dude or dudette. From MySpace. From Facebook. From the planet. Why? Because they're just yapping about something that they don't know jack poop about. For example, the newly-ish-reopened Sail Inn, is bringing the good noise to the stage with local music such as the Rhythm Soul Funke Show. The gig represents with Sabrina Peros' live art; a fashion trunk show featuring DelecTable Couture; and heavy-on-the-funk/soul/jazz performances by DJ Seduce, Futurekind, Catfish Groove Farm, and a one-gig-only reunion session by Baraka. 7:30 p.m.; $5 before 11pm, $8 after. (26 South Farmer Avenue, Tempe, 480-839-6637). - Steve Jansen
Roy Jones, Jr./Jeff Lacy Pay-Per-View Party at Native New Yorker (Saturday)A number of outspoken boxing wags are of the opinion that boxer Roy Jones, Jr. is way past his prime and should hang up the gloves. Poppycock, decry the 40-year-old's vocal fanbase, who think the renowned pugilist just gets better with age. Who's correct? You can find out this weekend as Jones (a.k.a. Captain Hook) squares off against 32-year-old whippersnapper Jeff Lacy (a.k.a. the Left Hook) on pay-per-view. Don't got the dollo to watch it at home? Head for this no-cover viewing party, which promises "mad drink specials," giveaways, and more. 6 p.m. (3855 East Thomas Road, 602-244-1179)
Icehouse Tavern Anniversary Party (Sunday)Daryl Chester and Kenda Vonhamm are madly in love with Phoenix's indie music community, and the feeling's pretty mutual. A few months back, the tastemaking scenesters at the Shizz latched onto the couple's east Phoenix bar and began booking myriad rock and acoustic gigs at the joint, helping grant it 4 the vaunted "hipster dive status." Thus, bands such as Matthew Reveles and Fancy Cloud, Turn Back O Man, Hooves, Sweet Bleeders, and Fatigo are scheduled to perform at its anniversary bash, which also features DJ Shane Kennedy spinning between bands and Daryl serving up free plates of barbecue beef brisket. 5 p.m., free. (3855 East Thomas Road, 602-244-1179)
