Discount-priced distractions are in abundance this weekend, ranging from Faux Punks and real punks to fashionistas and freaks. Looking for some inexpensive adventure? Here's our weekly list of what's going on.
WestFest at First Christian Church (Friday)
In case you missed Arty Girl's post from yesterday, it's First Friday time, which means that joints throughout downtown Phoenix and CenPho will be teeming with musicians, artists, and other folks getting their creative juices flowing. This funky house of worship is also getting in on the fun, as it's hosting performances by a dozen different local bands running the gamut from navel-gazing emo to gut-busting power rock. The line-up includes the Constelation Branch, Fireside Galaxy, Coats & Villa, pacKrat, Out of Reverie, Lanterns, and many more. 1:30 p.m., $7. (6750 North Seventh Avenue, 602-246-9206)
Cobra Skulls at Chyro Arts
Like the old saying goes, punk rock will never die. Instead, the three-chord genre will be endlessly regenerated by generation after generation of noisy, scowling leather-clad hooligans who blend and mix the influences and attitudes of punk's progenitors to ultimately create their own sound. To wit: This Reno, Nevada trio has taken bits and pieces from Against Me!, Social D., 7 Seconds, Fear, and dozens of their predecessors to concoct a modern-day version of anarchistisc aggro-music that's perfect soundtrack for both slamdancing or reading the latest copy of Maximumrocknroll. The band's all ages gig will also features The Copyrights, Move Forward, Executives, and Japanese Monsters. 7 p.m., $8. (1330 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-258-2329)
Faux Punk at Axis/Radius (Friday)
Normally, we liken the tribute-band experience to that of watching our favorite movies through a Cricket cell phone, but somehow NYC's Daft Punk cover DJ crew, Faux Punk, makes the "next best thing" seem pretty damn good. Flossing the same android helmets, music equipment, and laser lights, Faux Punk recently shared the bill with Sonic Youth at Seattle's Capitol Hill Block Party. On Friday there are sure to be plenty of inebriated ignoramuses who think they're watching the real deal when the digital duo "Robot Rock" the House 7340 at Axis/Radius. Silver Medallion, DJ Epidemic, and DJ Soloman are also scheduled. 10 p.m., $5. (7340 East Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480-970-1112) -- Adriane Goetz
Afro La Raza at the Wrigley Mansion (Friday)
Diverse-Fi Music and its resident mixmaster DJ Seduce have a tendency to throw some swank shindigs, and this fashionable fete is certainly no exception. The efforts of both African and Latino fashion designers and artists -- including couture from Alexander Garcia Acosta, as well as new works by Andres Jaquez, Ray Rivas, and Jasmin Salazar -- will be the focal point, while Seduce spins up some global beats. 7:30 p.m., $9.
The Inglorious Bastards at MADCAP Theatres (Friday)
The 1978 Italian film Quel maledetto treno blindato has had several other titles in English. According to imdb, it has been known at one time or another as Counterfeit Commandos, Deadly Mission, Hell's Heroes, The Dirty Bastard, and, because of the presence in the cast of Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, G.I. Bro. But it's best known lately for an English rendering of its working title, Bastardi senza gloria: The Inglorious Bastards. The yarn is a variation on the testosterone classic The Dirty Dozen; a Nazi attack inadvertently liberates a handful of American military convicts. They, in the process of trying to reach Switzerland, kill lots of Axis lads, and eventually agree to rob a secret weapon from an armored train. As any drooling fanboy can tell you, the reason for the recent resurgence of interest in a 31-year-old war actioner made in the style of a spaghetti Western is that this title, eccentrically misspelled and minus the initial article, was appropriated by Quentin Tarantino for his upcoming WWII epic Inglourious Basterds, starring Brad Pitt. Enzo Castellari's original, presented by Midnite Movie Mamacita, plays at MADCAP Theaters. It's on a double bill with 1972's The Man from Deep River. 9 p.m., $8. (730 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480-634-5192) -- M.V. Moorhead
Munny Grubers" Opening Reception at Just Blazed (Saturday)
Now in her 50th year, Barbie, festooned in all kinds of lavish outfits, has had more special editions than Star Wars. In comparison, Munny is the hard-scrabble kid from the wrong side of the tracks, as bare as the day the eight-inch vinyl figure was created by toy juggernaut Kidrobot. While anyone can splash the blank dolls with their own personal paint jobs, we love that the exhibit "Munny Grubbers" gives a home to some of the little buggers that have been style-rocked by true pros. Toy genius Nervis Wr3k curated the show, which features a laundry list of DIY-decorating heavy hitters from all over North America. Snooping around, we saw some sweet online sneak peeks from Follow the White Rabbit (a.k.a. Emily Beaulieu) and Zombuki creator P Brigette Coovert that put that spoiled Mattel belle to shame. 6 p.m., free. (1740 East McDowell Road, 602-252-4228) -- Jose Gonzalez
Soundstyle at Last Exit (Saturday)
Fundraising meets the fashion world as clothing designer Tiffe Fermaint and RIP Jeans' Belita Seckinger will show off their latest stitchings at this benefit for the Ear Candy Charity. A bevy of rock bands and singer/songwriters will provide the soundtrack, including Five High, Shawn Johnson, 36 Cents and a Dream, and Tobie Milford. 9 p.m., $5. (1425 West Southern Avenue, Tempe, 480-557-6656)
Fright Night at Atomic Comics (Sunday)
Despite the fact that they've got a ginormous fanbase here in their hometown, the horror punk brother trio of Calabrese only plays a handful of shows locally each year. So if you can't wait until the band's annual blowout on Halloween, check out this spooky celebration at Atomic Comic's Mesa location, which not only features a performance by Calabrese boys, but also the scary-sounding punk bands the Limit Club, Spider Hole, and Devil Bats. Phoenix filmmaker Brian Pulido will also screen footage from his monstrous masterpiece The Graves, and other freaky fun is promised. Noon, free. (1120 South Country Club Drive, Mesa, 480-649-0807)
The Sugar Thieves at Rhythm Room (Sunday)If you've neither heard nor seen Mikel Lander and Meredith Moore perform their brand of Americana-laced blues, feel free to revisit their Sun Sessions performance we presented about a month or so ago. We're willing to bet that after watching his talented picking skills and her equally talented vocal stylings you'd be eager to witness a performance by the pair live and in person this weekend at Bob Corritore's blues joint. 7 p.m., $5. (1019 East Indian School Road, 602-265-4842).
P.S. If you're in the mood for a little ghetto-fab action, the Summer of Sound hip-hop show is also going down this Saturday at Fat Tuesday (680 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480-967-3917). Five different acts -- Bear the Astronot, Silver Medallion, Zig Zag, Golden Tung, and Oakland's Souls of Mischief -- are featured for a measly $5. You can't beat that kinda deal, even if you tried.
