Where does the time go? It freaks me out that Modest Mouse got its start way back in the early ’90s, founded by then-teenager Isaac Brock (lead vocals, guitar) with Eric Judy (bass) and Jeremiah Green (drums). Like a lot of youthful suburban bands, things started slowly with DIY/punk venues.
Judy left the band in 2012, and Green died an untimely death due to cancer in 2022, but this is Brock’s band—he’s the chief songwriter—and he’s shuffled through a long roster of sidemen (and one woman) over the years.
They’ve released eight studio albums, most recently this year’s An Eraser and a Maze, which features Brock’s typically eccentric lyrics.
On “Picking Dragons Pockets,” he sings “I ain’t your passenger now. I ain’t your passenger now, nor your equipment. An auditory trick. They’re a boot that begs to be licked. I am the tarmac, I’m the pilot, I’m the flight path. Can’t get past that.”
On “Dogbed in Heaven,” he sings, “I like to speak in soft stiff peaks, rubber tips on every one of my teeth. A cause needs a skeleton to walk around, we only gave ours a name. We’re not your pets, hell, we’re not even tame,
just some cats coming in from the rain.”
Check out their video for “Life’s a Dream” on YouTube and embrace the weird.
Good Vibez and Shabang Beach present Modest Mouse at the Avila Beach Golf Resort on Thursday, Oct. 22 (doors at 4, show at 5 p.m.; all ages; $67.99 to $180.99 VIP Beach Club at posh.vip/e/modest-mouse-avila-beach-golf-course). A portion of the proceeds benefit Vintage Traditions Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
Also this week from Good Vibez in the Fremont Theater, see Mexican American EDM and Latin rave scene producer Bolo The DJ on Friday, Oct. 16 (8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $41.17 at prekindle.com).
Get some laughs on with Randy Feltface: Gimmick on Saturday, Oct. 17 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $39.11 to $69.50 at prekindle.com). “Randy Feltface has spent his career denying the accusation that he is nothing more than a gimmick,” his bio said. “Now it’s time to own it.” The fuzzy puppet was nominated for Best Comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Austin-based musician and actor Shakey Graves plays on Sunday, Oct. 18 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $47.35 at prekindle.com). Before settling into his music career, he appeared in films such as Friday Night Lights and Spy Kids. He just released his fifth studio album, Fondness, Etc. He’s also partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 per ticket goes to supporting Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and its work providing emergency financial assistance to people in need in the music industry. Wild Pink opens.
Rapper Xavier Wulf on his Cool World Tour takes the stage on Tuesday, Oct. 20 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $40.14 at prekindle.com). IDKJEFFREY open.
Finally, French musician DJ Madeon performs on Thursday, Oct. 22 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $42.72 to $210.55 at prekindle.com). MGNA Crrrta opens.
Pillow talk
SLO native and current NYC denizen Sarah Pillow returns to her old stomping grounds to play two shows as Sarah Pillow and the West Origin Trio at Nipomo’s Adelina’s Bistro at Trilogy at Monarch Dunes on Sunday, Oct. 18 (3 to 5 p.m.) and in downtown SLO at The Mark on Tuesday, Oct. 20 (7 to 9 p.m.).
“Marc [Wagnon, her vibraphonist husband] and I are excited to be out in California this month to promote our new album,” Pillow said. “We have some fun gigs lined up on the West Coast with our wonderful West Coast colleagues, Tony Green (bass) and Jim Mussen (drums). The album will be available digitally on all platforms (iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc.), so we hope you’ll check it out, and check us out.”
The new album is Wanderer, and it’s an incredible collection of jazz standards and contemporary classics. Pillow, who trained at Oberlin College and Conservatory, has her feet in the jazz, classic, opera, and early music worlds, and her voice is a remarkable instrument and a joy to behold as she interprets songs by Dizzy Gillespie, Pat Metheny, Charles Mingus, and others.
The new record was arranged by Wagnon, and the players are nothing short of astonishing. It’s also been getting rave reviews. Paris Move calls it “a rich and deeply satisfying album.”
“We are pretty psyched with the feedback so far,” Pillow added.
End of the season …
See you next year, Nederlander Concerts and Vina Robles Amphitheatre. Only two shows remain this season, but they’re both must-sees, starting with Bonnie Raitt on Friday, Oct. 16 (doors at 6, show at 7:30 p.m.; all ages; $85.40 to $382.05 at ticketmaster.com).
This absolute legend has been a hitmaker since her critically acclaimed 1971 self-titled debut, and she’s gone on to record a total of 18 studio albums and rack up 15 Grammy Awards, most recently in 2023 for “Made Up Mind.”
“I’m thrilled to have Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen as my special guests on this tour,” Raitt said in press materials. “Jon is one of my favorite musicians and a former longtime bandmate. I can’t wait to hear him with his killer band every night and then sit in with us on several songs in our set. Big fun for us all.”
The very last show of the season is multi-platinum-selling country singer-songwriter Dustin Lynch on Sunday, Oct. 18 (doors at 6, show at 7:30 p.m.; all ages; $72.75 to $125.95 at ticketmaster.com). He’s amassed 10 No. 1 hits, four Top 5 albums, and tallied more than 5 billion streams.
Pink Floyd, reggae style
There are so many interesting shows this week. Good Medicine and Numbskull are responsible for three of them starting with Easy Star All-Stars performing their Dub Side of the Moon album live at The Siren on Sunday, Oct. 18 (6 to 10 p.m.; $35 at goodmedicinepresents.com).
These remarkably versatile performers have a penchant for reinterpreting other artists’ music into reggae style. After Dub Side (2003), they’ve released Radiodread (2006), Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009), and Easy Star’s Thrillah (2012). David Bowie is next.
Good Medicine and Numbskull also present country singer-songwriter David Nail on his Down to the Studs Tour at The Siren on Monday, Oct. 19 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $35.74 at goodmedicinepresents.com). The humble performer said in press materials, “My philosophy has always been, I just hope to have a good enough year that I can have a next year while staying as true to myself as I possibly can.” He’s been at it for about 25 years, so I guess it’s working out.
Finally, Good Medicine and Numbskull present Corey Kent at BarrelHouse Brewing Amphitheatre on Friday, Oct. 23 (6 p.m.; all ages; $36.77at goodmedicinepresents.com). He’s also playing Thursday, Oct. 22, but that one sold out so don’t dilly-dally buying tickets or you might be too late!
Kent’s a “new-school country rocker with a reputation for red-dirt swagger and blue-collar grit” according to his bio. He’s touring in support of his fifth album, Heartland Rock and Roll, released last month on RCA Nashville. Caiden Wallace opens.
So. Many. Shows!
In addition to the Easy Star All-Stars and David Nail shows, The Siren (all shows 21-and-older) also has a few free shows as well as two more ticketed concerts. First, the freebies. Radio Ranch plays on Friday, Oct. 16 (7:30 p.m.). Expect straight-shooter storytelling Americana and traditional country with rock ’n’ roll spirit.
Americana singer-songwriter Noach Tangeras plays a matinee show on Saturday, Oct. 17 (2 to 5 p.m.). This award-winner has a powerhouse voice and writes in the folk, rock, blues, and country genres.
Get a dose of Latin jazz, funk, R&B when MiniNova returns on Wednesday, Oct. 21 (7:30 to 9 p.m.). These guys are stone-cold pros. Led by Scott Martin on sax from the band War and Kenny Lee Lewis on guitar from The Steve Miller Band, they mix originals and covers by the likes of Santana, War, Steve Miller Band, and Ray Charles, as well as blues standards.
Get three bands for the price of none when Moon Darling, Murder Hornets, and The Ragged Jubilee play on Thursday, Oct. 22 (7 to 9:30 p.m.). Moon Darling is a psyche pop duo originally from Seattle but now in LA who recently released “Soul Plant,” the second single from their upcoming EP Hearts to Blame. Murder Hornets is a homegrown surf rock and honky-tonk band (Don’t think too hard. It works!). The Ragged Jubilee are jangly garage blues heroes.
Also see Sheryl Crow and Chrissy Hynde tribute act Sheryl & the Pretenders on Saturday, Oct. 17 (8 to 10:30 p.m.; $23.77 at tixr.com). Frontwoman Claudia Sue Conrad pays tribute to two of rock’s most iconic women.
Finally, Nahko & Medicine for the People on their Hoka 10-year anniversary show play on Tuesday, Oct. 20 (7 to 10 p.m.; $41.59 at tixr.com). Hoka was a “landmark album that helped define a movement rooted in healing, empowerment, and connection,” their bio notes. Louyah opens.
So. Damn. Many. Shows!
This is a crazy week for live music fans. I double-dog dare someone to go to every single one.
SLO Brew Live at The Rock SLO kicks off its week with Christian alt-pop singer Bodie on Friday, Oct. 16 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $39.05 at ticketweb.com). Bodie Kuljian has a powerful set of pipes and was runner-up on season 22 of The Voice. Christian alt-rock band Hopeful opens.
SLO Brew Live and Numbskull present Florida-based alt-rock band Anberlin on Tuesday, Oct. 20 (doors at 6:30 p.m.; all ages; $36.98 at ticketweb.com). The members are Christians, but this isn’t a ministry band. They write for a mainstream audience. Watashi Wa opens.
LA-based Allah-Las plays on Wednesday, Oct. 21 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $39.05 at ticketweb.com). The psychedelic, garage, and surf rock act has a great jangle pop sound. Sam Blasucci opens.
Finally, get your hip-hop fix when 30 Silver Media presents Oakland group Souls of Mischief on Thursday, Oct. 22 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $31.39 at ticketweb.com). Featuring three rappers—Tajai, Phesto, and A-Plus—Souls are also part of hip-hop collective Hieroglyphics. Palmtree, MC Frend, and Legion of Groove open.
He’s got stories
The Clark Center wants you to enjoy An Afternoon of Songs and Stories with Roger McGuinn on Saturday, Oct. 17 (2 p.m.; all ages; $49 to $79 at clarkcenter.org). I’m sure this iconic musician has stories for days. After all, he founded The Byrds in 1964, which was arguably one of the most popular bands in the world. He went on to collaborate with everyone from Bob Dylan to Tom Petty. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Legend!
“One artist, one stage, and a lifetime of music, technology, and travel tales,” organizers announced. “Between songs, McGuinn recalls studio innovations, early Byrds sessions with Bob Dylan inspirations, and the way a 12-string shimmer changed radio forever. The mood is conversational yet precise, aided by Roger McGuinn concert projections and a focus on sound clarity rather than pyrotechnics. It is an evening designed for careful listening, where history and melody braid together.”
More music …
Yes, it’s ridiculous, but there’s more live music. There’s a fundraiser for Lumina Alliance at SloDoCo’s Foothill Boulevard location on Saturday, Oct. 17 (6 p.m.; $7), featuring Hellen of Boy, Dear Diary, and Fortune Teller.
“Hellen of Boy was formed when a group of feminist homies got together and decided it was time to help Riot Grrrl come back with a roar,” bandmember Che Chiavaroli said. “Shining a light on women’s struggles and injustices, Hellen of Boy brings high energy to their audiences with a girls-to-the-front ethos.”
Dear Diary is all-female band from SLO, and Fortune Teller is a SLO trio of distortion. Lumina Alliance supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
The Jazz Vespers Concert Series returns to SLO’s First Presbyterian Church of SLO on Sunday, Oct.18, with The Jazz Alley Review (4 p.m.; free but donations accepted). The local septet “plays most styles of jazz from traditional to hard bop, jazz/rock, and fusion,” their bio explained.
The Famous Jazz Artist Series at Cambria’s Woodlands Concert Hall presents blind pianist Madison Scott in a concert called Great Song Winners and Nominees from the Academy Awards on Sunday, Oct. 18 (5 to 7 p.m.; $35 ticket reservations by calling (805) 935-9007 or emailing charlie@talsanmusic.com). She’ll be accompanied by bassist Luther Hughes and drummer Darrell Voss, as well as series producers Charlie and Sandi Shoemake. ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Oct 15-22, 2026.
