I don’t know if it’s still in their rider—the list of things a band requires a venue or promotor to supply them—but Southern Culture on the Skids (SCOTS) used to require a bucket of fried chicken. Not for eating, mind you. It was a prop, and during their show, they’d throw pieces into the audience. It was all part of their campy double-wide, deep-fried, down South, North Carolina vibe.
You’ll hear everything from to psychobilly to swamp, surf, Southern, and roots rock from this trio of hard-charging, fun loving musicians who’ve been around for nearly 40 years, releasing albums such as Too Much Pork For Just One Fork, Dirt Track Date, Plastic Seat Sweat, Liquored Up and Lacquered Down, and many more.
This Thursday, Oct. 24, Numbskull and Good Medicine present SCOTS in The Siren (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $24.41 at goodmedicinepresents.com).
Mope the night away when Numbskull and Good Medicine host The Cure vs. The Smiths vs. Depeche Mode DJ night at SLO’s Libertine on Saturday, Oct. 26 (9 p.m.; 21-and-older; $10 at goodmedicinepresents.com). “Oh, I miss the kiss of treachery, the shameless kiss of vanity.” “Girlfriend in a coma, know, I know, it’s serious.” “I heard it from my friends about the things you said.” Sniffle.
The Siren
In addition to the SCOTS show, The Siren also has a bunch more fun lined up, including The Molly Ringwald Project ’80s Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 25 (8 p.m.; all ages; $32.80 at tixr.com). Dress up and get ready to get down to your favorite ’80s hits.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, see Roddy Radiation (of The Specials) with his band The Skabilly Rebels and opening act The Haywoods (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $24.71 at tixr.com). Expect ska punk from Roddy and rockabilly from The Haywoods.
Get spooky when Burning Witches plays on Sunday, Oct. 27 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $21.66 at tixr.com), with Graveshadow opening. Hailing from Switzerland, Burning Witches is a self-described “all-chick metal band” that will melt your face off. They’re touring in support of their new album, The Dark Tower.
Cover act Tommy Peacock & the Feathers plays on Thursday, Oct. 31 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free), delivering hits from all decades. UB40, Johnny Cash, Billy Idol, the Rolling Stones, George Michael, Tom Petty, and more.
Vina Robles Amphitheatre
War has so many classic songs. “Spill the Wine,” “The World Is a Ghetto,” “Slippin’ Into Darkness,” “Cisco Kid,” “Low Rider,” “Summer,” “All Day Music,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
See this iconic R&B, funk, Latin, and rock act on their The World is a Ghetto 50th Anniversary Tour when they return to Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Saturday, Oct. 26 (8 p.m.; all ages; $25 to $477 at ticketmaster.com). El Chicano opens.
Fremont Theater
Lots happening at SLO’s prettiest venue starting with comedian Nurse Blake on his Shock Advised Tour this Thursday, Oct. 24 (7 p.m.; 16-and-older; $41.20 to $61.50 at prekindle.com).
Mexican hip-hop act La Santa Grifa on their Que Siga La Mata Dando Tour 2024 hits the stage on Friday, Oct. 25 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; 44.50 at prekindle.com) with Dharius opening. If you dig “raw and authentic storytelling, blending street rap with emotional depth,” this is your scene.
Legendary metal band W.A.S.P. plays a show on their Album One Alive World Tour ’24 on Saturday, Oct. 26 (8 p.m.; all ages; $34.50 to $79.50 at prekindle.com). Formed in 1982 by Blackie Lawless, they’re known for their theatrical live shows.
Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band plays on Thursday, Oct. 31 (8 p.m.; all ages; $25 at prekindle.com). Frontman Benjamin Tod Flippo is joined by his wife, Ashley Mae (vocals, fiddle), and Jeff Loops (bass), to deliver heartfelt Americana, folk, and country.
SLO Brew Live at Rod & Hammer Rock
Usually, too many chefs in the kitchen is a recipe for disaster, but not with Americana quintet Fruition. Yes, three of their five members are songwriters, but instead of pulling their sound in too many directions, the band works seamlessly to create harmony-rich, collaborative, song-driven folk and roots sounds.
See Fruition on Friday, Oct. 25 (8 p.m.; all ages; $30.30 to $103.94 at ticketweb.com) with Maya De Vitry opening. They’re touring in support of their new album, How To Make Mistakes, and $1 from every ticket sold goes to the Conscious Alliance Charity working to end world hunger.
SLO Blues Society
Chicago style blues comes to SLO Town when guitarist John Primer and blues harp master Bob Corritore team up for a SLO Blues Society show this Saturday, Oct. 26, in SLO’s Oddfellows Hall (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $36.12 at my805tix.com or $40 at the door).
Corritore is the longtime owner and promoter of Phoenix’s famed Rhythm Room, which has hosted just about every blues legend working today. He’s also a record producer who’s worked with Jimmy Vaughn, Ike Turner, Bob Margolin, and many more.
Primer “was born in Camden, Mississippi, and grew up in a shack with no running water,” according to his bio. “He was drawn to the blues from watching his dad and cousin play guitar after working the fields.”
He eventually moved to Chicago, where he worked for Junior Wells, Muddy Waters, and Magic Slim & the Teardrops. He’s also three-time Grammy nominee.
Blues fans, don’t miss this one!
The Clark Center
Latin big band the Pacific Mambo Orchestra plays the Clark Center on Saturday, Oct. 26 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $39 to $69 at clarkcenter.org).
This global phenomenon and Grammy Award-winning ensemble “effortlessly blends genre-bending originals and covers as diverse as Stevie Wonder’s ‘Overjoyed,’ Dizzy Gillespie’s ‘Night in Tunisia,’ and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto,” according to their bio.
Enjoy a homage to Jimmy Buffett when Buffett’s Margaritaville plays on Thursday, Oct. 31 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $49.50 to $70.50 at clarkcenter.org). “Get ready to be transported to a tropical paradise, where the sun is shining, the waves are crashing, and the margaritas are flowing,” organizers said. “This show is an explosive celebration of the iconic music of Jimmy Buffett, featuring all of his greatest hits.”
Cal Poly Arts
Don’t forget that Cameron Carpenter, as part of the Forbes Organ Series, will accompany a screening of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 horror classic Nosferatu on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the Performing Arts Center (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $30 to $37 at pacslo.org).
If Día de los Muertos is more to your liking, check out Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular at the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Oct. 30 (7:30 to 9 p.m.; all ages; $40 to $79 at pacslo.org). The Mexican culture celebration includes performances by Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande. Expect lively music, incredible dance and costumes, and as organizers noted, “Who knows? La Muerte herself may make an appearance!”
Oktoberfest
Forget Halloween and get your Oktoberfest on this Sunday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on 2nd Street in Baywood Park when it’s time for Oktoberfest 45.
“The highlights are on the Merrimaker Main Stage starting at noon to 5:30 p.m.,” explained organizer Gary J. Freiberg. “We have Strange Cake, the Josh Rosenblum Band, and Soul Kool. All are great bands. I chose them for their diversity, their talent, and they’re all fun dance bands.
“We’re doing a showcase of the brewers, winemakers, and musicians of Oktoberfest 45 at 11 a.m. to noon on the main stage. From 9 to 11 a.m., we have on 2nd Street with Ras Danny on the south end, near the pier, and Familiar Strangers on the north end across from Noi’s.”
All that and a whole lot more like polka music, kid, pet, and adult costume contests, a 5K fun run, car show, vendors, and more.
After the street party, hit the Merrimaker for a show by the Albert Sanudo Jr. Band (6 to 8 p.m.).
More music …
The SLO County Jazz Federation will present Adam Levine and Metro on Friday, Oct. 25, in SLO’s Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $35 general admission, and $10 for students, at my805.tix.com). In collaboration with Jazz Jubilee Central Coast, the concert “will include some of the finest jazz artists on the Central Coast led by master guitarist, educator, and studio musician Adam Levine,” organizers announced.
Boogie band The Cliffnotes return to Niffy’s Merrimaker this Friday, Oct. 25 (8 to 10 p.m.; free). Get ready to dance to New Orleans sounds mixed with rock, Americana, and R&B.
Get in the Halloween spirit when two-time New Times Music Awards winner Ghost\Monster plays their annual Halloween Ghost\Monster Mash at Libertine on Friday Oct. 25 (8 p.m. to midnight; 21-and-older; $5 at the door). DJ Promess gets things started from 8 to 10 p.m. spinning spooky tunes, and then ghost/monster takes the stage.
Explained the band, “Essentially, we dress up and play some Halloween themed songs: ‘Halloween’ by the Misfits, ‘Pet Sematary’ by the Ramones, ‘Monster Mash’ by Bobby Pickett, and some spooky vibe songs like ‘People are Strange’ by the Doors, ‘Killing Moon’ by Echo and the Bunnymen, ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson, and some crowd favorites.”
The Famous Jazz Artist Series presents Jazz Goes to College this Sunday, Oct. 27, in Cambria’s The Harmony Café (824 Main St.) when three prominent jazz professors—saxophonist/flautist Ron McCarly from Cuesta College, bassist Dylan Johnson from Cal Poly, and drummer Paul Kreibich from Cal State Fullerton—will be joined by series producers Charlie and Sandi Shoemake (vibes and vocals) (5 to 7p.m.; $25 with a minimum $20 food and beverage purchase, reserved by calling (805) 935-9007 or emailing charlie@talsanmusic.com. Δ
Contact Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Pet Issue 2024.