Ed Masley

The Republic | azcentral.com

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World is going solo at Valley Bar in a month that also brings release shows by the likes of Snake! Snake! Snakes! and Celebration Guns. Here's a look at those and other highlights of the month in local music.

Heraclio Sepulveda funeral fundraiser

This is a last minute funeral fundraiser show for Heraclio Sepulveda, the father of local musician Mario Sepulveda (Fayuca/Nomada). Both of Sepulveda’s bands are playing, as are Ethan103, Inept Hero

and Clairevoyant Sound. Headliners Fayuca cite RX Bandits and Sublime as inspirations. Toss in Operation Ivy, the SoCal punk of Bad Religion and the Clash of "Sandinista!," and you'd have a pretty good idea what these local rockers are likely to bring to the stage. Two years ago, their "La Venganza," a Latin-tinged spy-rock instrumental, was selected as the theme song for "Matador," a series by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez on the El Rey TV Network.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2. Pub Rock, 8005 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale. $5. 480-945-4985, pubrocklive.com.

Ben’s Birthday Show

Ben is the singer for SwapMeat, Apache Junction speed-rockers whose “Horse Shoes & Hand Grenades” finds them racing their way through such headbanging highlights as “Nightmares” and “Chicken Exit” like a punk band doing trucker speed while listening to Motorhead. Also playing: Creepsville 666, Dead Canyon and Old Fashioned Assassin.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2. Rogue Bar, 423 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-947-3580, facebook.com/theroguebar.

Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers

“We’re bringing ‘Fizzy Fuzzy,’ a commemorative concert, to the stage at Talking Stick," Clyne says. "We’ll be doing those songs track-by-track, top-to-bottom. No. 1, because it was really fun. No. 2, because the Yucca only holds a few people and a lot of people didn’t even know about it. So I’m hopeful that we’ll reach a lot of people who either didn’t know about it or simply couldn’t get in. So we’ll celebrate ‘Fizzy Fuzzy’ in our hometown on a big stage for as many people as we can get in there." And having seem on of those Yucca concerts, I assure you, it’s a fun night, followed by a set of Peacemakers music.

Roger Clyne is busy: New Peacemakers album, pool party and celebrating 'Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy'

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2. The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. $30-$65. 480- 850-7734, talkingstickresort.com.

Treasurefruit residency

These local indie-rockers filter psychedelic rock and roll through a Southwestern twang with lots of reverb for a sound they've labeled desert noir, as brilliantly captured on "Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert," their first full-length effort. They’re doing a Tuesday night residency at the Rogue, with different theme each week. April 5 is a film noire/vintage glam party with Rick Moses and Mob vs. Ballot Box. April 12 is an ‘80s and ‘90s pop party with Remy de la Mora and the Bittersweet Way. April 19 is a surf party with Phantom Party and Soft Deadlines. And April 26 is a psych-rock party with the Sewer Cats and Hostile Work Environment.

Details: 9 p.m. Tuesdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26. Rogue Bar, 423 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-947-3580, facebook.com/theroguebar.

Celebration Guns release show

“The Me That Used to Be” is a five-song EP they recorded with producer Bob Hoag, who also added backing vocals and percussion, at Flying Blanket in early 2015. Their first EP, “Quitter,” was a collection of demos recorded on GarageBand that guitar-playing vocalist Justin Weir says would be “gracious” to consider lo-fi. A second EP, "Bright Enough," was “a bit of a disaster when it came to production value,” according to Weir (which didn’t stop it from making our list of 2014’s best local releases). Weird’s dissatisfaction prompted the decision to “come up with a recording quality that tried to match the experience of seeing us play live, which is where we get our best feedback.” The songs, Weir says, “have a more mature and less chaotic feeling than our previous work, without losing the raw energy or unique arrangements that we loved about our previous releases.” They’ve released a video for the EP’s lead single, “The Volunteer,” and plan on releasing another one within the next few months. The EP is being released by local vinyl label President Gator, available for order at hellomerch.com. The next step, Weir says, is a full-length album. Twin Ponies, Sundressed and Flower Festival join them at their record release show.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, April 8. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $10. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

Painted Bones EP release show

These local rockers are releasing an EP called “Dragon Ride.” The only song from “Dragon Ride” I’ve heard so far is “Jaw Drip,” which kind of reminds me of my favorite post-Replacements alternative-rock of the early ‘90s, when it would have sounded right at home on commercial-alternative radio. They’re joined by Monaghans Dixon and Dirt Moon.

Details: 9 p.m. Friday, April 8. Last Exit Live, 717 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. $10 (includes a copy of the EP) 602-271-7000, lastexitlive.com.

Source Victoria

This is their first show in several years and they’ve been missed. Their latest album, “Slow Luck,” is a richly textured triumph with wall-to-wall highlights that range from explosive guitar rock on “Nobody Knows But Me” and “When You Say (Congratulations)” to quieter, more contemplative songs that work the atmosphere like Sparklehorse recording down the hall from sleeping kids at 5 a.m. As massive as that Wall of Sound they construct in the studio can be, it always seems to translate live. They’re joined by No Volcano, Corano and There is Danger.

Details: 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 8. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $10; $7 in advance. 602-296-7013, the rebellounge.com.

Snake! Snake! Snakes! release show

Guitarist Dan Tripp says he feels “Tranquilo” is “the greatest recording project I've ever been a part of.” The album was recorded with producer Bob Hoag. “It’s got a real scrappy sound to it that makes me think of that good ‘70s rock and roll,” Tripp says. “The production reminds me of Blondie or something.” Which is nothing like their earlier recordings. “This album is definitely different from our first EP,” says Christopher Sanchez. “But I think people can still jam this s--t whether you're 80 or 4 years old. I mean it. I have kids coming up to me all the time asking how I laid down those phat basslines. I just have to smile and shrug ’em off. I mean, they're just kids. What the f--k do they know?” The one song I’ve heard, “Dead N Dumb,” is feedback-laden punk-inspired rock and roll that’s probably closer in spirit to the Stooges than “Blondie or something” but I say that not as a complaint. They’re joined at their album release show by Playboy Manbaby, Pro Teens and Strange Lot, which is an excellent lineup top to bottom.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $10. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

Zero to 60 New Artist Showcase

The premise is five local artists playing five songs each, and they’ve lined up an interesting bill with the Sink or Swim, Speak Easy, New Chums, the Hill in Mind (who made our list of best local releases of 2015) and Soft Deadlines.

Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $10; $7 in advance. 602-296-7013, the rebellounge.com.

2nd Tuesday Jazz

The Rhythm Room’s jazz series features a headlining set by What’s the Big Idea Jazz Trio featuring bassist Josh Kneisel, drummer David Drew and pianist Mike Kleinschmidt. They’re joined by the Clazzmates, San Pagaie and House of Stairs, a collective whose blend of jazz, funk, soul and pop is topped by the sultry lead vocals of Holly Pyle.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12. Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $5-$7. 602-265-4842, rhythmroom.com.

Next Step to Stop Childhood Cancer Benefit

Two reasons to consider. 1. It’s a good cause. 2. Taylor Upsahl. I just saw at McDowell Mountain Music Festival and her set was amazing. She’s still in high school but felt like an indie-pop star in the making. As I wrote in my review, “Upsahl herself is an amazing singer, with a vocal range she uses to her full advantage as a vehicle for pushing her melodic sensibilities, not showing off. That's why those high notes work so well on ‘Sunflower,’ a wistful folk-pop gem that sounds like it’s one soundtrack placement away from launching her career.” Also playing: Luxxe, Weslyn, Just Seconds Apart and Matt Kabler.

Details: 6 p.m. Thursday, April 14. The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison St., Phoenix. $20. 602-396-7136, thepressroomaz.com.

Broloaf record release show and toga party

These local punks are combining their record release celebration for the aptly titled “Born to Party” with a toga party, which probably has you wondering, “Why don’t more bands do that?” If you like your punk served with reckless abandon, irreverent humor that would probably offend the humorless and choruses born to be shouted along to, you should definitely be there. And it pays to wear a toga. As they helpfully sum up the admission policy on Facebook, “$5 - if you are wearing a Toga / $10 - if you suck at life and don't wear a Toga.” Also playing: Eddie Jesus and the Blasphematics, We Steal Copper, Scattered Guts, the Screamin Yeehaws (San Diego) and MF Ruckus (Denver).

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 16. Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe. $5-$10. 480-967-4777, yuccatap.com.

Grateful Sound 2

The Smiling Faces and Psywave are releasing their first split-cassette on the local “alt-everything” label Tvlife entertainment. The Smiling Faces had kind of a lo-fi art-punk vibe going on when in the more inspired moments of the “Too Make Mikes” demo. Psywave’s sound is poppier, with a really strong female vocalist. The all-ages event is hosted by Dadadoh and also features live performances by From Mars, Ape Face and Ancient Egypt.

Details: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16. Trunk Space, 1506 N.W. Grand Ave., Phoenix. 602-256-6006, thetrunkspace.com.

Dave Riley/Bob Corritore

Guitar-playing vocalist Riley and blues harpist Corritore have recorded three albums together. Highlights of their latest, 2013's "Hush Your Fuss!," ranged from the swampy swagger of "Baby Please Come Home" to John Weston's slow-burning "Snuff Dippin' Woman," on which Riley memorably sets the tone with "I got a snuff-dippin' woman / Snuff juice runnin' all down her dress." She's all yours, Dave. No, really.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday, April 16. Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $8. 602-265-4842, rhythmroom.com.

Dent release show

They’re releasing a five-song self-titled EP of experimental psychedelic pop. Highlights range from the forward momentum of a trippy opener called “Halfway” to the haunted “Visit Us,” which features a whistling solo, and “1996,” a trance-inducing, headphone-warping psychedelic mind-melt. They’re joined by Twin Ponies, Bear State and my favorite band name I’ve heard in a good long while, McCauley Vulcan.

Details: 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 20. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $10; $7 in advance. 602-296-7013, the rebellounge.com.

Romen Buffalo and the Loyal Order record release show

These Sonoran Desert roots-music veterans have a sound that can that can range from the bluegrass vibe of “Garden Girl” to alternative-country, with dobro, upright bass and banjo lending to the country flavor. They’re joined by the Hardways, the Sunpunchers and Matt Marcus (of Soul Country).

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, April 22. Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe. Free. 480-967-4777, yuccatap.com.

Bear Ghost

These Mesa rockers definitely occupy the more eccentric fringe of the new-millennial art-rock spectrum on their latest effort, “Blasterpiece,” an awe-inspiring followup to "Your Parents Are Only Marginally Disappointed in Your Musical Taste." "Introduction to Blasterpiece" opens the set with a demented funk-rock march that sounds like it was written to accompany Tim Burton down the rabbit hole while "Necromancin Dancin" filters the rhythms of ska through "A Night at the Opera" with traces of jazz, a quirky falsetto delivery and a twisted chorus hook of "I'm raising the dead / I'm loving the dead." It's all very odd, from the mash-up of hip-hop, opera and a riff that grooves like Aerosmith on "Funkle Phil" to the old-timey touches of "Gypsy," which feels like someone fed the theme-park band a little too much acid. They’ve been known to cover Queen and Disney soundtrack music, which makes perfect sense considering how often "Blasterpiece" suggests some kind of loopy missing link between the two. They’re joined by Harper and the Moths and Paper Foxes.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Last Exit Live, 717 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. $10; $7 in advance. 602-271-7000, lastexitlive.com.

Indie 500

The Trunk Space’s annual Indie 500 is a marathon featuring 500 songs in a row by a variety of artists. But this year it’s a tad more bittersweet, being one of the final events at the 1506 N.W. Grand Ave. location. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 artists will be taking part, including AJJ, Novi Split, Kepi Ghoulie, Dogbreth, Roar, Logan & Lucille, Algae and Tentacles, JJCnV, Thollem's HPOH, Foot Ox, Playboy Manbaby, Man-Cat, Treasure Mammal, Coffee Pot, Masteroid, Sad Kid, Brodie Hubbard, The Darling Sounds, Dinosaur Love, Human Behavior, Jacob Smigel, Drew Danburry and Hi My Name is Ryan…

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23 through sometime Sunday evening. Trunk Space, 1506 N.W. Grand Ave., Phoenix. 602-256-6006, thetrunkspace.com.

Paper Foxes

If you miss them on that Bear Ghost show, a fate do not recommend, they have their own headlining Valley Bar show with Bad Neighbors and the Psychedelephants. Two things that grabbed my attention while watching them cover a set of Rolling Stones songs at the Crescent Ballroom earlier this year were their amazing rhythm section and one of the Valley's most watchable front men. Last year's "Love & Schizophrenia," a four-song EP, doesn't sound a thing like "Paint It, Black" or "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." But not in a bad way. The opening track, "Bologna Pantalones (I'm Shaking)," is primal garage-punk with the attitude it takes to pull that off. And the tracks that follow more than live up to the promise of that introduction, from the wordless falsetto on the chorus hook of the brilliantly titled "Wes Anderson Cooper" to the slow-burning swagger and throat-shredding shrieks of the EP-closing "'Til Death Do We Party."

Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28. Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $5. Valleybarphx.com.

Jim Adkins

The leader of Jimmy Eat World did a solo tour last year, playing new solo material, Jimmy Eat World songs and covers. He also released a series of digital singles — three originals and covers of songs by the Everly Brothers, Beck and Cyndi Lauper. As Adkins explained the motivation behind the solo tour and singles in a press release, "2015 seemed like as good a time as any to take a second and experiment with life outside the pattern. In the past I have been involved with solo work, playing mostly benefit concerts locally in my home of Arizona. Toward the end of our last European tour I decided to stick around and play a solo show in Berlin. I thought to myself: Hey, this is different and also pretty fun…I could keep going. So why not?"

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30. Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $20; $19 in advance. Valleybarphx.com.