By Niki D’Andrea
Here’s a handful of upcoming shows that were recently announced.
The Blackest of the Black Tour Featuring Danzig, Dimmu Borgir, Moonspell, Winds of Plague, and Skeletonwitch Monday, November 3, 6 p.m. Marquee Theatre in Tempe $32-$35 www.luckymanonline.com
Danzig’s probably the biggest name on this bill, but Norwegian black metallers Dimmu Borgir will probably steal the show. The band’s name means “dark cities” in Icelandic (and it’s also the name of a volcanic formation in Iceland), and that’s pretty much what the band sounds like -- a horde of evil, archaic Norse gods wielding axes. Dimmu Borgir’s latest album, 2007’s In Sorte Diaboli, is a concept album about a priest in medieval Europe who abandons his faith and becomes the antichrist. Expect some pretty heavy occult lore on this tour.
Random band fact: Dimmu Borgir keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band in 1996 to serve in the Norwegian army.
Below:The video for Dimmu Borgir’s “Sacriligious Scorn,” from In Sorte Diaboli.
Jackson Browne Monday, November 3 Dodge Theatre $37.50, $47.50 Tickets on-sale Friday, August 15 at 10 a.m. www.livenation.com
Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne had his heyday in the late ‘60s and early-to-mid ‘70s, but his hits from that period -- “Doctor My Eyes,” “Running on Empty,” “The Load-Out” -- have stood the test of time to become staples on classic rock radio stations throughout the U.S. His latest album, Time the Conqueror, will be released in September on Inside Recordings.
Random band fact: Browne is a member of the No Nukes group, an organization that decries the expansion of nuclear power.
Below: Browne performs “The Load-Out” and “Stay” in 1978.
Weezer With Tokyo Police Club Saturday, October 18, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fair General admission free with State Fair admission ($12 per adult); reserved seats (prices TBA) available September 6, 2008 from www.ticketmaster.com and the VMC box office
While many critics have accused Weezer of fading into a shadow of its former self, the band’s sixth full-length album -- the just-released “Red Album” -- sees the melodic rock popsters head in a more experimental direction, incorporating everything from Southern rap and classical music elements to synthesizers and drum machines. The album, produced by Rick Rubin, has already produced two Top 40 Billboard singles in the U.S. -- “Pork and Beans,” and “Troublemaker.”
Random band fact: All members of Weezer share vocal duties with front man Rivers Cuomo on “The Red Album.”
Below: A bizarre “webisode” video from Rivers Cuomo promoting Weezer’s new album.
Electric Six With Local H Monday, November 10, 8 p.m. The Clubhouse Music Venue in Tempe $10-$12 www.statesidepresents.com
This six-piece, hard rockin’ band from Detroit is probably best known for its songs “Gay Bar” and “Danger! High Voltage” from its 2003 album Fire, but the band’s subsequent releases, particularly the high-energy Senor Smoke (2005), rock equally hard. The band’s new album, Flashy (Metropolis Records), keeps up the band’s M.O. of catchy, rocking tunes, including a track called “Gay Bar Part Two.”
Random band fact: White Stripes front man Jack White did some guest vocals on Electric Six’s “Danger! High Voltage” and “Gay Bar.”
Below: Electric Six’s video for “Danger! High Voltage.”
Kid Rock With Rehab Sunday, September 28, 7:30 p.m. Dodge Theatre $37.50-$52.50 www.livenation.com
For a man who’s sold more than 23 million albums, Kid Rock’s not breaking any new ground or taking any chances on his latest album, Rock N Roll Jesus (2007). The record was produced by a well-known engineer (Rob Cavallo, who’s also worked with Green Day and The Goo Goo Dolls), and is heavy on the Southern rock sound, even incorporating the riff from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” in Rock’s nostalgic tribute to his younger years, “All Summer Long.”
Random band fact: Kid Rock has said his next studio album will return to his rap roots.
Below: The video for Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long.”
