Andrew Lockwood discovered he wasn't the performer he fancied himself as part of the local bands Velveteen Dream and the Heartgraves. "When the Heartgraves disintegrated, I decided I needed to go in another direction," Lockwood says, "and to very specifically stop trying to rock. Rocking is for people who do it well." Just what does Lockwood, whose money gig is the Emerald Lounge's "Love Lounge" set every Monday night, do well? "I'm a sad balladeer," he says.
So Lockwood recruited Nick Pasco (drums), Aaron Gerwein (bass), and "Love Lounge" partner Erin Crawford for his new band, Dolphins Kill for Love, which headlines its CD-single release party on Friday, June 3, at Mesa's Hollywood Alley, 2610 West Baseline.
The CD, which includes the songs "If I Could" and "Like a Cannibal," is a tease for DKFL's full-length album, due later this summer. Kill Baby Kill, World Class Thugs, and the Supereaters open the 9 p.m. show. Admission is $5. Call 480-820-7117. -- Joe Watson
Naked in the Reign
History uncovered in E2
6/3-6/25
Nearly Naked Theatre lives up to its name when a mostly female cast drops trou as they raise the curtain on E2: A Heretical Adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's Edward the Second on Friday, June 3, at the Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre, 100 East McDowell. Scantily clad women aren't the only scandalous material, however, as the Damon Dering-penned tragedy touches on issues like gay marriage and intolerance in a reinterpretation of Marlowe's play about the (allegedly) homosexual lifestyle of King Edward II and his relationship with Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and alternate between 7 p.m. or 2 p.m. Sundays, through June 25. No one under 17 will be admitted without a parent. Tickets, $18, are available at 602-254-2151. -- Benjamin Leatherman
Casio Encounters
Minibosses have it covered
FRI 6/3
Whatever happened to those classic tunes of the '80s and '90s? You know, the theme music for the original Nintendo Entertainment System video games? How can one forget the bass-heavy riff greeting you in the dungeon in Super Mario Brothers, or the suspenseful ambiance while navigating around Crag Lake in The Legend of Zelda? At 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, the Minibosses' brand of video-game fever will be on display during the "Believe in Miracles" Benefit Concert for Nick Ruppert, with all proceeds going to his medical fund. Local bands Funky Munks, and Stick Figures will also perform. Aaron Burke of the Minibosses says, "We have a new part for Mega Man 2 and some other surprises in store." Admission is $10. For more information, visit www.nickruppert.com. -- Steve Jansen
