If you're more of the former instead of the latter, check out our usual rundown of dirt-cheap distractions from tonight until Sunday.
The Love Me Nots CD Release Show at Yucca Tap Room (Friday)
Yesterday, the Valley's favorite garage/retro band released its newest disc Upsidedown Inside Out; and tonight they'll be celebrating said album with an evening of music in Tempe, which also features appearances by the Beatnik Bombers and LA's Don Juan y Los Blancos. Drink specials include $2 PBR and $3 tangerines and mango vodka drinks. 9 p.m., free (29 West Southern Avenue, Tempe, 480-967-4447)
Angela Franks Wells at Tilt Gallery
"Local photographer Angela Franks Wells isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. No, she's not a hitwoman. And no, she isn't snapping porn. Wells uses an old school, and very messy, photogravure technique involving toxic chemicals that leave her hands stained black and smelling like copper pennies. The untidy process is fitting given her recent subject matter -- the oily, greasy workplaces of mechanics and other skilled laborers." 6 p.m., free. (919 West Fillmore Street, 602-716-5667) -- Wynter Holden
Nobunny at Trunk Space (Saturday)
Trashy. Disgusting. Perverse. Disturbing. Noisy. Those are just a few ways to describe the sweat-soaked performances of Nobunny (a.k.a. Justin Champlin), the former Tucson punker who spews forth punky, distortion-laden garage rock wearing nothing but his underwear and a filthy bunny mask. He's taking over the Trunk Space for an evening and it sure to evoke visions of bygone bizarro rock act I Hate You When You're Pregnant. Fellow freakazoids JJCnV, Haunted Cologne, and the Best Friends will also perform. 8 p.m., $8. (1506 Grand Avenue, 602-256-6006)
Corner Crawl in Tempe (Saturday)
We're sure many of y'all have participated in countless pub crawls on either on a bike or while riding public transit, but have you ever done it while dressed as a pirate? Here's you chance, matey, as the people who brought you the Light Rail Pub Crawl will celebrate National Talk Like a Pirate Day with a jaunt between such Tempe watering holes as Yucca Tap Room, Olive Branch Restaurant, and Time Out Lounge. A "treasure hunt" for $50 will also be offered, so participants can not only down some Captain Morgan while dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow, they can score some booty at the same time. The high seas adventure will start and at Monkey Pants Bar and Grill. 8 p.m., free (3223 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480-377-8100).
The Brains at Club Red (Saturday)
Orange County psychobilly band No Dice were originally scheduled to perform at this evening of hot rods and cool cats at the Tempe, but an unforeseen scheduling SNAFU caused them to put the kibosh on their appearance. There will still be plenty of punk and rockabilly action to be had in the form of The Brains, Calabrese, and Creepsville 666. 8 p.m., $8-$10. (2155 East University Drive, Tempe, 480-258-2733)
Michelle Blades at Modified Arts (Saturday)
Our very own Steve Jansen described the sounds of ukulele-wielding singer-songwriter Michelle Blades as "like an island-y Joni Mitchell -- or a sweeter Jolie Holland -- when she plays her jazz-inspired folk." See if you agree with our scribe's description as Blades performs at Modified along with Teejay Sundance, By Sunlight, and The Bronzed Chorus. 7 p.m., $7. (407 East Roosevelt Street, 602-462-5516)
Ralo's Big Freaky Thing at the Sail Inn (Saturday)
If you somehow can't make it into Fall Frenzy, consider heading to Gian Lombardi's nearby bar to watch her version of a band-heavy affair. A slew of locals will be featured (including Earl Greyhound, Ryan and the Relics, Dog of the Moon, The Overtones, Of the Earth, Hashknife Outfit, Barefoot and Pregnant, and others) during the all-day event benefiting the Wildhorse Ranch Rescue chairity. 1 p.m., $8-$10. (26 South Farmer Avenue, Tempe, 480-839-6637)
Football Brunch at Cadillac Ranch (Sunday)
"Sick of eating dry cereal out of boxes while lounging around the bachelor pad in your boxers? At Cadillac Ranch, you can gnaw on good stuff like green chile pork with eggs and Texas French toast with orange cream sauce while watching your fave team on one of the venue's 25 plasma TVs and/or its 12-foot Panasonic HD projector." 9 a.m., menu offerings start at $5. (2000 East Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480-894-1111) -- Clay McNear
DS Yancey at the Ruby Room (Sunday)
"Call it what you will -- alt-country, roots music, Americana -- but the Valley is home to a vibrant and diverse array of artists specializing in old-school cowboy music. Unfortunately, while the Valley is great at producing such acts, we're not so great at supporting them, hence the exodus of such talented locals as Dave Insley and Heather Rae Johnson for the greener pastures of Austin. Even the bands that have stuck around, like Flathead and psychobilly mainstays Grave Danger, draw well at local dive bars, but you never see them headlining larger venues like, say, The Clubhouse. Thus, it makes sense that Phoenix troubadour D.S. Yancey seems to be hedging his bets. His music sounds "country-ish," but his twang-free vocals wouldn't sound out of place in a downtown indie rock band." 9 p.m., $5. (717 South Central Avenue, 602-258-0069) - Mike R. Meyer
