August 2010

Wed, Sept 1, Slayer

Eddie August 26, 2010 No Comments

Arco Arena, 7 p.m., $39.50-$45

Sleep Train Arena1 Sports Pkwy.
Sacramento, CA 95834

(916) 649-8497

Slayer’s first full-length record, Show No Mercy, was released 27 years ago. Yet even more astounding, the same original lineup will be returning to the Sacramento Valley for its first headlining gig in an arena setting. For the uninitiated, Slayer has been pushing the satanic—err, Slaytanic—envelope to extremes with album-cover art that would make even a heretic blush. For example, 2001’s God Hates Us All was coincidentally released the same day as the 9/11 tragedy proving, yet again, that evil knows a street date. If you need a reason to don a black shirt and go ballistic, this is the ticket. 1 Sports Parkway, www.slayer.net.
(SN&R)

God and the girls

Eddie August 20, 2010 No Comments

August 21, Val Brelinski reading

Although brick-and-mortar bookstores seem to be going by the wayside, the folks at the Avid Reader have persevered, thanks in part to great local events. This Friday, the Davis shop will host Val Brelinski, a recent Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. Brelinksi will read from her latest offering, The Girl Who Slept with God (Viking, $27.95), which tells the story of how religion altered the course of three girls’ lives. 7:30 p.m., Friday, August 21; free. 617 2nd Street, Davis; www.avidreaderbooks.com.

(SN&R)

Tues, Aug 17, Michael Schenker Group

Eddie August 12, 2010 No Comments

The Boardwalk, 7:30 p.m., $22-$25

The Boardwalk9426 Greenback Ln.
Orangevale, CA 95662

(916) 988-9247

Those who don’t believe there’s a higher power need only attend a Michael Schenker Group show. Sure, there are many guitar shredders who know their way around the fret board, but few can match the unabashed brilliance of Schenker’s calisthenics. After cutting his teeth as a youngster in the Scorpions, he later became the focal point of one of rock’s greatest exports, UFO. Of course, you can expect a full-on sausage fest at his upcoming gig. Most of his fans are males older than 30 who do their best to ape Schenker by playing air guitar and screaming along to his classics. Sound like fun? It is. And Schenker is God. 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale; www.michaelschenkerhimself.com.
(SN&R)

Sat, Aug 7, Beach Boys tribute show

Eddie August 5, 2010 No Comments

Old Ironsides, 8 p.m., $7

Old Ironsides1901 10th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 442-3504

For as long as concertgoers can remember, Jerry Perry has hosted tribute shows. Whether at Old Ironsides or the now-defunct Cattle Club, his shows always feature a veritable who’s who of the Sacramento music scene honoring Prince, David Bowie, Dolly Parton or dead rock stars. Now, it’s time for the Beach Boys tribute show featuring Baby Grand, Dog Party (pictured), Life in 24 Frames and more. While some sets by our beloved, local bands often seem unrehearsed or unnecessarily hurried, there are always a few that manage to turn heads with their interpretation. Any guesses as to which band will attempt “The Warmth of the Sun”? 1901 10th Street, www.myspace.com/alivekicking.
(SN&R)