By Benjamin Leatherman
Just like the prodigal son, Future Shock has returned to give y’all the hook up on the latest “just announced” concerts coming to Valley venues over the next few months. And speaking of comebacks, the biggest news this week was that one of the biggest names in music, Stevie Wonder, will be holding his first concert in Arizona in more than a decade.
So before you make any bad jokes about how you’ll be able to see the Motown legend in concert, but he won’t be able to see you, let’s get to the 411.
Stevie Wonder Jobing.com Arena in Glendale Sunday, December 9, 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $39.85 to $119.85 (on sale now, visit www.ticketmaster.com)
Believe us, we’re gonna either be first in line or fork over some serious scrilla to scalpers to be front and center for this one. Since getting word about this show earlier in the week, we’ve been putting together a laundry list of Stevie Wonder hits we’re hoping the dood will perform at the show. So far we’ve got down “Part-Time Lover;” “Superstition;” “My Cherie Amour;” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours;” “Higher Ground;” “Uptight (Everything's Alright),” and “For Once in My Life.” What’s on your list?
Random fact: Stevie Wonder has won 22 Grammy Awards.
----
Seether With supporting acts Hurt, and Red Tuesday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. Marquee Theatre in Tempe Tickets cost $20 pre-sale, $25 day of show (on sale now, visit www.luckymanonline.com)
It’s pretty apparent that Shaun Rogers has a major hard-on for Kurt Cobain. The vocalist/guitarist for South African alt-rock band Seether not only cites the late Nirvana front man as a major influence and writes some of the band’s lyrics in the same angsty vein as the grunge icon, but he’s also aped Cobain’s singing style, had his own substance abuse problems, and even resembles the grunge icon in certain publicity shots. There’s more clues to Rogers’ Cobain fetish, as Seether has covered numerous Nirvana songs (such as “Heart Shaped Box,” “Rape Me,” and “Something in the Way”), and the cover art for the band’s second album, Disclaimer, featured a woman holding a sign that says “I Hate Myself...I Hate You.” Here’s hoping the 28-year-old musician doesn’t try to exit this world with the business end of a shotgun like his hero.
Random band fact: Seether was originally know as Saron Gas.
----
Authority Zero With supporting acts The Expendables, and Pour Habit Saturday, December 15, 6:30 p.m. Marquee Theatre in Tempe Tickets cost $17 pre-sale, $20 day of show (on sale now, visit www.luckymanonline.com)
Authority Zero can be quite the polarizing band, particularly here in the Valley, where local rock/punk fans either dig these hometown heroes or dig on them for being “hacks” or “sell-outs.” Personally, we’re more fans of their earlier albums, Live Your Life and Patches in Time, as well as their more Sublime-like songs, than their current stuff.
Random fact: Many of Authority Zero’s original lineup attended Westwood High School in Mesa.
----
Badfish -- A Tribute to Sublime With Scotty Don't, RAC, and Underwater Saturday, February 16, 6:30 p.m. Marquee Theatre in Tempe Tickets cost $15 (on sale now, visit www.luckymanonline.com)
While we’re on the twin subjects of Sublime and wanna-bes, the Rhode Islanders who make up Badfish try their damndest to sound exactly like the late Bradley Nowell and his band. We generally detest tribute bands (with the exception of Portland’s Jesus Lizard imitators, Monkey Trick), but have to admit that Badfish does a fairly spot-on replication of Sublime and usually gets a good-sized crowd at their gigs. However, it begs the question: Is a tribute band successful in its own right, or because they’re copying note-for-note the music of a popular group?
Random fact: The members of Badfish also make up a second band called Scotty Don’t, where they perform original songs during the same gigs.
----
Candye Kane Saturday, February 16, 9 p.m. Rhythm Room in Phoenix Ticket info TBA (call venue for more information)
While it seems like Candye Kane usually performs at the Rhythm Room about four or five times a year, we’re still down with checking out the former porn-star-turned-vocalist every time she visits. It’s ‘cause we’re big fans of her ample talent for singing torched-up blues and jazz numbers, as well as her gigantic breasts. Wait, did we just think that or type that? No matter, we’re not gonna be shy in admitting our love for both her singing skills as well as her pornographic exploits.
Random fact: Candye Kane’s musical past includes stints with SoCal punk rock and alt-country bands.
----
Rumor has it: According to Pollstar, jazz trumpet player Wayne Bergeron will perform a two-night set at the Orpheum Theatre in May 2008.
Also just announced:
Adrian Belew Thursday, February 28, 7:30 p.m. Rhythm Room in Phoenix Tickets cost $28 (on sale now, visit www.ticketmaster.com)
Lewis Black Dodge Theatre in Phoenix Saturday, February 2, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $34.50 to $72 (on sale Nov. 10, visit www.ticketmaster.com)
Rick Braun and Richard Elliot Thursday February 14, 8 p.m. Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix Tickets cost $55 to $100 (on sale now, visit www.celebritytheatre.com)
Stanley Clarke Wednesday, January 23, 7:30 p.m. Martini Ranch in Scottsdale Tickets cost $35 (on sale now, visit www.ticketmaster.com)
Grand Buffet With supporting acts Peachcake, Ill Al the Anglo-Saxon, and DJ Epidemic Tuesday, January 2, 7 p.m. Modified Arts in Phoenix Tickets cost $6 (on sale TBA, visit www.myspace.com/presidentgator)
Kenny G. Dodge Theatre in Phoenix Tuesday, February 26, 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $42 to $97 (on sale Nov. 12, visit www.ticketmaster.com)
Lydia Friday, December 21, 7 p.m. The Clubhouse Music Venue in Tempe Tickets cost $11 (on sale now, visit www.luckymanonline.com)
Mannheim Steamroller Saturday, December 15, 7:30 p.m. Jobing.com Arena in Glendale Tickets cost $25 to $150 (on sale Monday, visit www.ticketmaster.com)
Joseph Wytko Saxophone Quartet ASU Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale Sunday, February 24, 3 p.m. Tickets cost $47.50 to $87.50
