SUMMER SOUNDS
Five shows to bounce to
Summer is still going strong and the festivals are too. But there is a point, usually about mid-July, when the landscape starts to look a bit quieter.
It’s that first whiff of the fall to come, when the tours start to space out more and the weather puts us into Netflix mode.
But there are still a lot of weekends left to pal around on the patio comparing various berry sours and speculating on what’s coming down the pipe next quarter. There are also a good number of fine shows to enjoy as well as the summer touring season starts to slow.
Here are five winners in July and August:
SUPERSUCKERS 30TH ANNIVERSARY
When: July 19, 8 p.m.
Where: Rickshaw
Tickets and info: $20 at ticketfly. com
Thirty years is a long time to be rocking out in overdrive. But that’s what Eddie Spaghetti and the rotating membership of this Tucson, Ariz., garage punk crew have been up to since 1988. For those ancients among us, there are dim memories of these fellas seeming to be one of the house bands at the Brickyard along with the Black Halos and the Murder City Devils. For this celebratory tour, the group plans a mini country set, songs from throughout its career, including the complete The Smoke of Hell and La Mano Corunda. Come prepared to headbang and mosh.
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Where: The Vogue
Tickets and info: $39.50 at eventbrite.com
If ever there was a band that reflected the West Coast punk ethos, it’s this crew from Venice, Calif. Going strong since 1980, the group has been through countless members — pretty much reflecting the cream of California thrash/punk crossover players — and never lost its energy or aggressive attitude. They may be immortalized for Institutionalized, but what they really deserve the love for is how they brought together hardcore, metal, super funky bass and hip-hop sensibility together in a skateboard friendly form.
WELL TEMPERED CLAVIER 1 — ANGELA HEWITT
When: July 31, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Chan Shun Concert Hall Tickets and info: From $18 at tickets.ubc.ca
When the Sunday Times describes you as “the outstanding Bach pianist of her generation,” the paper isn’t blowing smoke. Appearing as part of the brilliant concert series Early Music Vancouver has planned for the Vancouver Bach Festival (July 30 to Aug. 10), this is the opportunity to hear the master play the composer’s seminal 24 preludes and fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I. The music is sublime, lush and special.
PANIC! AT THE DISCO: PRAY FOR THE WICKED TOUR
When: Aug. 11, 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena
Tickets and info: From $61 at ticketmaster.com
The other band from Las Vegas that tops charts and changes its musical styles album by album, Panic! At the Disco has endured where many of its peers have failed. It helps that singer Brendan Urie appreciates just what you can get from a fully loaded “cherries on top” soul/disco track such as Silver Lining. This band can really get cynical with catchy hooks. It’s latest album Pray for the Wicked, is a slick, dance-heavy pop album that the band will be ripping out live at this tour with Hayley Kiyoko and Arizona opening.
A PARANORMAL EVENING WITH ALICE COOPER
When: Aug. 8, 8 p.m.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre Tickets and info: From $77 at Ticketmaster.com
The original ’70s shock-rocker may not be that shocking anymore. OK, he’s pretty harmless. But when his set list includes such gems of Detroit rock city genius as Under My Wheels, Billion Dollar Babies, Be My Lover and Halo of Flies, you know you’ve got some music to enjoy. Employing a crack band, including guitarist Nita Strauss, Alice is still delivering. And, yeah, there are still a lot of the classic stunts thrown in too.