The Phinal Phour Is Here! Join New Times For a Free Concert and Free Beer

Well, Phoenix, you've voted, and the time for the final decision is here.

One epic showdown between titans of the local music scene, in a battle for bragging rights and editorial copy.

Oh yeah, and we get to watch. With FREE BEER.

That's right, our Phoenix Music Madness contest comes to an end with our Phinal Phour concert tomorrow, Wednesday, March 29, at Rebel Lounge.

The winning band, which will receive a full-page profile in New Times' April 13 issue, will be determined by our music writing team at the end of the night.

But for all you fans out there, we've got great news. The first 300 people to RSVP for the night will receive a drink ticket for one free New Belgium Dayblazer, the brewery's new crisp, refreshing golden ale. Also, a crew from Jack Daniels whiskey will be making the rounds, giving out swag and maybe even buying you and your friends a round.

Here's the schedule for the night's events:

7 p.m.: Doors open
7:30 p.m.: Coobee Coo
8:15 p.m.: The Stakes
9 p.m.: Jerusafunk
9:45 p.m.: Bear Ghost

And here's a look at our finalists:

CooBee Coo
A duo consisting of Jessie Morrison and K.C. Barras, CooBee Coo goes hard in the paint like a young Pete Maravich. Fun to watch and even more fun to listen to, this group is as stylish as it is technically sound.


The Stakes
The Stakes bring a smooth-but-flashy confidence to the stage. Just look at that picture above: ice-cold hustlers, all of them. Don't try to challenge their musicality, since every member is simply dominant at their instrument. Their ability to make the most difficult music look easy is not unlike the good doctor Julius Erving, who was untouchable both at the University of Massachusetts and in the pros.


Jerusafunk
This self-described "klezploitation" band mixes funk, klezmer music, and jam band sensibilities. Known for their zany costumes and irrepressible stage presence, there are few bands that are more fun to watch locally. They're not unlike the University of Houston fraternity of Phi Slamma Jamma, the Clyde Drexler/Hakeem Olajuwon college team that changed how basketball was played.


Bear Ghost
Last but not least, we have Bear Ghost, the brainy prog-rock band that sounds like vaudevillian musical theater played by a bunch of Dream Theater fans. Their combination of smarts and power brings to mind a young Russell Westbrook, the erstwhile math major who turned down Stanford for UCLA and is currently on pace to average a triple-double in the NBA, something akin to a rapper going platinum with no features.