By Martin Cizmar
Did you miss Edgefest only to read our comprehensive coverage (last time I’m pimping it, I promise!) and realize your life will not be complete until you see Mickey Avalon and Kottonmouth Kings? Turns out you get another bite at the apple, as both acts announced local shows this week.
The Pride of Canada, Bryan Adams, will be in town (calling out for “New York, New York” is not as funny as you might think) in December. My personal pick is geeky piano-rocker Ben Folds who will put on a hell of a show at Gammage in November.
Mickey Avalon with Beardo Saturday, Nov. 1 Martini Ranch in Scottsdale
At Edgefest, potty-mouthed rapper Mickey Avalon was actually a lot better live than I was expecting. He translates “Jane Fonda” and “My Dick” pretty well on stage, and that whole making out with the girls in the front row thing is actually kinda funny, at least at a large festival.
Bryan Adams Sunday, Dec. 7 Mesa Arts Center
I admit that I actually genuinely like “Summer of ’69.” A lot. Most of Adams' other catalog isn't quite up to that level, really, but it should be fun to watch this show at Mesa Arts Center, where all the Canadian snowbirds from East Mesa and AJ can come to hear their national treasure belt out a few old hits. The Europeans in this video seemed to be pretty in to it.
Ben Folds Tuesday, Nov. 11 Gammage Auditorium
Since we’re talking about acts that’ve lost ago lost their cool quotient, we’ve gotta give you some video of Ben folds playing “Bitches Ain’t Shit” live. Not only does this rival Dynamite Hack’s cover of “Boyz in the Hood” for best semi-ironic acoustic cover of a N.W.A.-related act, it delivers an important message re: bitches.
Here’s what else was announced this week:
Ace Enders: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m., $12. PHiX, 1113 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 602-252-7449.
Kottonmouth Kings: With (hed) p.e., Subnoize Souljaz, Big B and Dirtball, & Short Dawg., Friday, Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m., $26-$30. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-829-0607.
LL Cool J: Saturday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m., free with fair admission, $15 reserved seating. Veterans' Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fair, 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602-252-6771.
Medic Droid: With Chronic Future., Friday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., $10-$12. The Clubhouse Music Venue, 1320 E. Broadway Rd., Tempe, 480-968-3238.
ohGr: Sunday, Dec. 21, 6:30 p.m., $20. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-829-0607.
RAGE Music Festival 2009: Saturday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m.; Sunday, Jan. 18, 10:30 a.m., $25-$45. Castles -n- Coasters, 9445 N. Metro Pkwy. East (at Metrocenter), Phoenix, 602-997-7575.
