It should come as no surprise that the Miniature Tigers hail from a city where the sun shines brightly year-round.
The Phoenix band plays happy, buoyant pop songs that invite the listener to sing along but never leave a too-sweet aftertaste.
This group is destined for big things. It takes talent to cover ABBA's "Mamma Mia" without appearing hokey.
The band's latest album, "Tell It to the Volcano," is full of lighthearted moments and clever lyrics, such as the opening to the Strokes-esque "Cannibal Queen," which begins: "This is not a test or an S.O.S. / I'm no longer on a quest to get girls undressed."
The Tigers will play a set at Plush on Thursday, with Princeton and Umbrella Bird opening at 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5.
Clearing the air about name, Smog returns as Bill Callahan
People are also reading…
After almost 20 years of using the alias Smog for his music, Bill Callahan switched to his given name. But don't worry; the singer-songwriter's music is as atmospheric as ever, and Callahan's distinctive sing-speak is still present.
His latest album, "Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle," features the cellos and violins, French horns, pump organs and electric pianos that are trademarks of his recent offerings.
Smog debuted in 1988 with the cassette-only release "Macrame Gunplay" and followed it with three more tapes, "A Table Setting," "Tired Tape Machine" and "Sewn to the Sky." He's released more than 10 full-length records in his career.
Callahan will play Plush on Friday. Follow That Bird will open. The show starts at 9:45 p.m., and tickets are $12.
A few facts, some opinions about the Coathangers
Fact: It is impossible not to love a girl band with a song called "Nestle in My Boobies."
Fact: Atlanta punk band called the Coathangers, which wrote the aforementioned song, will play at Plush on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m.
Facts: The Strange Boys and the Lemon Drop Gang will open the show, and tickets cost $6.
Opinion: The Coathangers combine the rawness of former tour mates the Black Lips with the vocal squeaking and wailing of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Their party songs invite audiences to jump up and down, to the extent that their tight jeans will allow.
Christian singers' concert includes benefit for refugees
Local girl Mariah Secrest and Nashville's Amy Courts will kick off a West Coast tour with a Wednesday concert at Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave.
The concert will include a toy-and-diaper drive to benefit local refugees, as well as a between-sets message from recent refugees about what it's like coming to the United States.
Secrest and Courts are both Christian singer-songwriters. The concert is being organized by the Tucson Refugee Ministry.
The show starts at 7 p.m., and admission is free. Info: tucsonrefugeeministry.org
Former KIIM DJ Lois Lewis has music-promotion job
Former KIIM disc jockey Lois Lewis is heading West Coast promotions for upstart Music City imprint Republic Nashville, formed by Universal Republic's Monte Lipman and Big Machine's Scott Borchetta. Lewis left KIIM last month.
Lewis will be responsible for promoting the label's artists and products throughout the West. Her 10 years of experience on Arizona radio, including a run with Phoenix station KNIX, will come in handy when she tries to persuade radio stations to play her label's artists.
So fa,r the roster is slim: Texas singer-songwriter Sunny Sweeney and the new country duo Fast Ryde.
The Borchetta-Lipman partnership is a natural, given the pair's history. In 2007, they joined forces to propel Taylor Swift, a Big Machine artist, to superstardom.
Republic Nashville is headquartered on Music Row in Nashville and will tap into the combined Big Machine and Universal Republic resources.
Jamaican native Junior Reid plays on Fourth at reggae shop
Twelve Tribes Reggae Shop will give its own unique take on the Fourth of July with a performance by Junior Reid on Saturday.
The Kingston, Jamaica-born "One Blood" artist reached his peak in the 1980s but has popped up as a guest on albums and remixes from the Game, Fabolous, Fat Joe and Alicia Keys.
In Tucson, Reid will be joined by 8 Minutes to Burn, Vine Street and Jahmar International.
The show starts at 8 p.m. at Twelve Tribes, 345 N. Fifth Ave. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. 620-1810.
