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Local music scene boasts better events, talent

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat "Stuck in a Groove," a local reggae group, will be playing at two UA-area restaurants this weekend.

For the past couple of years, the Tucson music scene has been in somewhat of a slump.

The break-up of local legends Spillblanket and Malignus Youth a couple of years ago marked the end of an important era for local music. Some favorite music bars have recently closed (Third Stone), some have opened (Heart Five) and some classic music locations have even reopened (Rialto), making it hard to find any consistently good music being performed.

Fortunately, the Tucson music scene has been picking up. More people attended Fall Crawl earlier this month and the TAMMIES (Tucson Area Music Awards) have become better known.

The following are a few of the diverse local bands currently knocking the socks off Tucson listeners:

Described by keyboardist James Tiscione, a UA music junior, as "alternative/punk theater art rock," Pathos already has two albums under their belt, "Still Life" and "PAX." After a show at Double Zero on Thursday, Pathos next plans on conquering the radio.

This year Pathos was voted Best Up and Coming Artists by the Tucson Area Music Awards (TAMMIES). Tiscione said the band incorporates a visual aspect into their unique performances.

Hipster Daddy-O And The Handgrenades are a must see for any swing fan. With the albums Armed and Swingin and the forthcoming Diesel, these cats have made quite a name for themselves. The 1998 TAMMIES deemed Hipster Daddy-O the Best Swing Band in Arizona, Best Live Show and Best Dressed Band.

Past performances with such heavy weights as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Reel Big Fish makes it obvious that these guys can hold their own and will bring out the swinger in anybody. Catch Hipster Daddy-O's next show on Saturday, Oct. 30, in Oro Valley at Dennis Weaver Park. For further band information consult www.hipsterdaddyo.com.

Although reggae in the Southwest may sound peculiar, Stuck in a Groove delivers the jams with enough sincerity and strength to convince almost any audience. Stuck in a Groove gets the whole crowd dancing with their improvisation and emotional live performances and with their release, Beats in Your Mouth.

Stuck in a Groove, Tucson's reggae connection, can be seen all over town. This weekend, they're playing at Frog & Firkin, 874 E. University Blvd., on Friday, and Saturday, at the Velvet Tea Garden, 450 N. Sixth Ave. This band delivers the funk.

Another band of recent acclaim is the Simplistics, formally the Simpletons. In 1998, the TAMMIES voted them Best New Band and this year they were named Best Pop Band. Influenced by the Pixies, Sonic Youth and Radiohead, and locally produced by Stuart Kupers, there is no small victory in the popularity of their most recent release, Beautiful Me.

"Our new album has gained radio play on local stations like KFMA and KAMP, but it's also being heard in places like Flagstaff and Baton Rouge," said drummer James Couzens, a fine arts student at the UA.

Although the Simplistics are taking a month off from performing to compose new material, their Web page (www.simplistics.8m.com) can be accessed for the most up to date information regarding the band and upcoming live shows.