Ed Masley

The Republic | azcentral.com

There's a 10th anniversary celebration going down for Captain Squeegee in a month that also brings release shows from Warhead, Whiskey Kiss, El West and the Real Fits. Here's a look at those and other local-music highlights for December.

12/12, 19: The Rebel’s Holiday Toy Drive

Every Monday leading up to Christmas, the Rebel Lounge will host a string of local-music showcases that also serve as toy drives for the children at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Admission is $8 or free with an unwrapped toy. On Monday, Dec. 5, the bill is topped by Alice Cooper's Proof is in the Pudding contest winners Vintage Wednesday with Warriors of the Month, Dreams and Doorways and the Deadbeat Cousins. Week 2 brings the Living Receiver with Strelitzia, Good Grief and Silk Stockings. And the final week is Weslynn, IAMWE, Cry Night and Fosterson.

Details: 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $8 or free with an unwrapped toy. 602-296-7013, rebellounge.com.

12/9: Red Tank! Tour Kickoff

These Tempe rockers effortlessly lived up to the unhinged promise of last year’s “I Want You to Crowdsurf My Body at My Funeral” on "BIO/FEEDBACK," a third full-length release that hit the streets early this summer. Now, they’ll be hitting the road in support of the album on their fourth full West Coast tour (if Clipper Arnold is counting correctly), which kicks off with this local tour launch featuring performances by Captain Samurai, the Expos and RNA. And if you haven't snagged a copy of that "BIO/FEEDBACK" album yet, it's now available on CD and they'll have some copies at this show.

Details: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. FiftyOne West, 51 W. Southern Ave., Tempe. 480-306-6129, facebook.com/fiftyone.west

12/9: Crushed release show

The members of Crushed will return to the stage for their first live performance in more than four years to celebrate the release of the demo recordings that landed them two record deals in the course of what Mike Halland, their guitarist, now looks back on as “years of both triumphs and tribulations." Their first self-titled CD, released on the now-defunct 911 Records, spent more than 26 weeks in the upper reaches of the college radio charts as they toured the country. Two subsequent releases, “My Machine” and “Shadows and Substance,” were produced and released by Mike Clink, best known for his work with Guns ’N Roses. The original demos from many of their early sessions were never heard outside the inner circle. Until now. “Demolation” is a 19-track collection of this previously unreleased material recorded between 1995 and 1999. They're joined by Fred Green, Sunset Voodoo and, from San Diego, the Routine.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. Shady Park Tempe, 26 E. University Drive. 480-474-4222, facebook.com/ShadyParkTempe.

12/10: Cover the Crescent: David Bowie

Celebrate the sound and vision of the legendary David Bowie, whose unexpected death in early January shocked the music world at the time and now appears to have set the dark agenda for the most depressing year I can even remember. See Strange Lot performing “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” on a night that also features Bowie covers from the likes of Jerusafunk and Mitch Freedom’s Phantasmagoria. All proceeds benefit Central Arizona Shelter Services, or CASS, whose mission is to empower the homeless by providing shelter and supportive services.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $5. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

12/10: Paranova Tour Kickoff

If you haven’t heard these guys, their music is a richly textured blend of alternative rock and modern prog with the musicianship it takes to pull that off. Now in the midst of recording a full-length followup to last year’s promising “Exordium” EP, they’re taking a break to hit the road with L.A.’s the World Over after a tour launch at Club Red with Chrysalis, Archetypes Collide, Parallels, The Ephemeral and Vyrs. And check out this promotion. If you’re in a local Arizona band, you’ll be admitted free entry if you contact Paranova via Facebook prior to the show.

Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Club Red, 1306 W. University Drive, Mesa. $10-$12. 480-258-2733, clubredrocks.com.

12/10: Whiskey Kiss album release show

They’re releasing an album called “Retro.Revamped,” whose title refers to an adjective used in a YabYum Music and Arts review. As singer Niki White explains, “In 2014, they named our debut album, Dangerous One, as one of the top three retro-revamped albums. We had always had a tricky time defining our sound, but when we heard that we loved it, and it stuck.” And with good reason. It does seem to capture the musical essence of their sound. They recorded the album at 513 Analog, White says, “because they have a feel for vintage sound. We don't like putting that sound in artificially in post-production. We want it to be authentic. We feel our record truly represents us. What you hear is what you're gonna get live.” Also playing: Manual Sex Drive and Roadkill Wranglers.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $10. 602-296-7013, rebellounge.com.

12/10: Decker. 7-inch vinyl release show

Brandon Decker is promising protest music by the likes of Richie Havens and John Lennon as he celebrates the release of a seven-inch single while bringing his Snake River Blues Tour to a close with sets by CooBee Coo and Steff and the Articles. The limited-edition handmade single feature two tracks from his latest effort, the excellent "Snake River Blues" (the title track and the raucous lead single, "The Holy Ghost"). All proceeds benefit the Sacred Stone Camp.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Last Exit Live, 717 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. $12; $10 in advance. 602-271-7000, lastexitlive.com.

12/10: Psychedelephants single release show

This is a single release show for a track called "Lunar Treatment," an extremely promising lead single from the psychedelic rockers' forthcoming LP, "Amalgamation." Danger Paul says it’s a song about perception. “We all know that most people can go unnoticed until they are considered to be grandiose or special in one way or another,” he explains. “Realizing the little details is equally important to portray us a people as much as our substantial accomplishments.” Psychedelephants self-engineered, mixed and mastered the album at their own home studio. Miles Tippett says, “Our process allows us to take time to experiment and fully explore different musical arrangements and sounds. Conversely, it forces us to pay extra attention to every detail as we are solely responsible for the quality of the finished performance. That DIY ethic is what drives our technical and creative progression with each successive release.” “Amalgamation” should be out this coming spring. Also playing: The Woodworks, Elephant Gunn, Acceptable Losses.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe. Free. 480-967-4777, yuccatap.com.

12/13: Jane n’ the Jungle

These Phoenix rockers are blessed with a powerful female presence on lead vocals, Jordan White, whose voice is a natural fit for their brand of melodic alternative-rock. She can whisper as well as she rages, pout with attitude and wail with authority. They’re recently released a self-titled effort that sets the scene with jungle noises as the perfect introduction to a song whose instantly infectious chorus hook finds White imploring you to "Shake me out / Shake me out of the jungle tree / Shake me out / Shake me out / We're swinging free." It's a theme song of sorts. Billed as Jane’s Birthday Party, this show also features sets by Dirt Moon, Ghost Cat Attack and Alien Atmosphere.

Details: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $5. 602-296-7013, the rebellounge.com.

12/15: El West EP release show

This self-titled EP of soaring, heartfelt indie-rock is El West’s first release. “We were trying to create a cohesive sound and firmly establish our place in the Arizona music scene,” they say. “The concept we all got behind for the EP was creating music that would envelop listeners in whatever emotions are invoked while listening to songs like ‘Olivine.’ It's music people can relate to, and we completely pushed the envelope on each song. These songs really speak to us, and we know they will do the same for everyone else.” The EP was recorded with Cory Spotts at Blue Light Audio. They’re joined at this release show by the Real Fits, the Sink or Swim and Sidney Sprague.

Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $10; $8 in advance. 602-296-7013, rebellounge.com.

12/16: Captain Squeegee's 10th anniversary

Help Captain Squeegee celebrate a decade of pushing the musical envelope in unexpected new directions as their sound has shifted gears from ska into a user-friendly blend of neo-psychedelic prog and jazz improvisation. Squeegee introduced a new guitarist at McDowell Mountain Music Festival earlier this year and they’ve been working on the long-awaited followup to “To the Bardos.” As for this show, Squeegee frontman Danny Torgersen says, “Ten years ago, the Ska Gods selected seven young souls to wage their musical war. The members and styles have changed, but the soul of Captain Squeegee REMAINS. This is the ULTIMATE Squeegee show, featuring 4 PAST MEMBERS, 5-PIECE HORN SECTION, intensely TRIPPY LIGHTS, Fayuca, & Bear Ghost, all in one night of legendary celebration.”

Details: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $15; $10 in advance. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

12/16: Singularity CD release

“With the overwhelmingly positive response of our self-titled full length album that we released in 2014, we knew we had crafted a sound that was worth sticking with and expanding on,” says guitar-playing vocalist Jack Fliegler. Enter Ryan Williams, a former member of the Black Dahlia Murder and owner of Augmented Audio, who asked if they’d be interested in having him produce the album. “We immediately saw huge potential for us to grow musically and professionally by working with Ryan so we happily accepted the offer,” Fliegler says. The resulting “Void Walker,” a 21-minute EP, was intended to capture a more "focused" sound giving listeners a taste of Singularity's "bare essentials," says Fliegler, who adds, “This was a very enjoyable musical exercise and it allowed us to even further discover who we were as a band. Ryan Williams played a huge role on this release by offering counsel, particularly on drums and vocals.” Also playing: Animus Complex, the Exiled Martyr, A Lapse of Ethos, Deadspawn, Depraved Heretic, Path of Exile.

Details: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16. Club Red, 1306 W. University Drive, Mesa. $14; $12 in advance. 480-258-2733, clubredrocks.com.

12/16: Saddles release show

Before I listened to the latest Saddles album, Charles Barth sent me a message that said, “We were shooting for two main things on ‘YOKE.’ We wanted to make songs where the groove feel, and tension were paramount, and then we also wanted to represent a somewhat broad range of styles in a cohesive and interesting way, to not only make the album a little bit of a journey, but to also create an umbrella ‘sound’ that could only be described as ‘us.’ That probably sounds self-important, but I always consider it a compliment when someone doesn't know how to categorize our music.”

Having heard the album, I would say they met those goals head-on. The album makes its way through a variety of moods and sounds while holding together as a single journey – which is weird, considering the fact that recorded in a half dozen different location, from carpet warehouses in downtown Phoenix to in-laws' houses in Surprise — “anywhere we could find a quiet place to be loud,” as Barth puts it -- over the course of a year and a half. “Time in these spaces was always limited,” he says. “So it created a sense of urgency and demanded honesty in our performances. But so much time passing in between also allowed for new ideas to come in and new songs to take the places of old ones. Tarot, which is the song on YOKE I'm most proud of, is a newer one that wouldn't exist if there hadn't been so much time between opportunities to record.”

They’ve assembled a great bill for the release show, with Snake! Snake! Snakes!, Celebration Guns, Dent and Whither is God.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $10; $8 in advance. 602-296-7013, the rebellounge.com.

12/17: Jared & the Mill’s Second Annual Holiday Extravaganza

Two months ago, these local heroes celebrated the release of "Orme Dugas," a five-song effort that eases you in with a ballad called "Lost, Scared & Tired" that starts with a single acoustic guitar and vocals and builds to an anthemic singalong chorus, making full use of the broad dynamic range their traditional bluegrass instrumentation affords them. Most songs follow suit, including "Keep Me Going," the EP's lead single, but they sign off with an understated folk song of the type Bob Dylan might have done before going electric. Their Holiday Extravaganza is a charity event with proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots. And they’ve assembled a bill that couldn’t be much more eclectic, with opening sets by Playboy Manbaby (and by eclectic, I mean prone to causing culture shock) and Sundressed.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $15; $10 in advance. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

12/17: The Edisons and Soft Deadlines dual CD release show

The Edisons are releasing an album called "Space Whales," which, as guitarist Nick Cento says, is something of a milestone for the Phoenix rockers. "It marks the end of the first chapter for us," he says. "These songs tell the story of us figuring out who we are as a band, and how each of us as individual musicians have grown to complete our sound and our dynamic. This has allowed us to tinker in pop and dabble all the way to noise scape. Together we make music that brings each one of us different moments of joy. More than that, for us, it's all about the energy of the music-making and sharing experience. We built our sound over the last year and a half around live performances. We wanted to track the album live to capture that energy you only get from feeding off each other, and to document this moment in time as a band, little flaws and all."

Soft Deadlines are also releasing new music. Oliver Lemke says, “I got some great comments from my dad when I played this new record for him.” Among his favorite comments? “t was a meal, it would be something light but energizing, like sushi with a healthy kick of wasabi,” which Lemke figures is “pretty high praise.” They do their best to get people excited, he says, by combining the best of pop and punk “but without being pop-punk.” Another goal for this record was to make something darker and heavier than they had in the past, while still being danceable. “I personally drew some inspiration from Metz, and also the Factory Records catalog,” Lemke explains, “their idea that punk music and club music could be one and the same. Also playing: Citrus Clouds and The Echo Bombs

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Last Exit Live, 717 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. $5. 602-271-7000, lastexitlive.com.

12/17: Rule of Thirds

The latest edition of Rule of Thirds includes performances by Lenguas Largas, No Volcano, Snake! Snake! Snakes! and the Halahs with DJs Rob Locker and Ryan Swick,

Tom Reardon, Michael Pistrui and Trent T-Unit Pittard. There's also art on display by Donovan White, Tato Caraveo, Sierra Joy, NXOEED // James B. Hunt, Rhondi Reardon, Kevin Adams, Zachary Dean Glover, Hannah Bones and Margarete Beeson. Tucson's Lenguas Largas definitely occupy the psychedelic side of the garage revival, but even their trippiest moments tend to hurtle along with the intensity of classic punk. I haven't heard the Halahs yet but No Volcano and Snake! Snake! Snakes! are responsible for two of this year's most rewarding rock-and-roll releases. In fact, it's doubtful any local bill will rock you more convincingly this month.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Third Space, 1028 NW Grand Ave., Phoenix. $5. 602-258-1536, facebook.com/ThirdSpacePhx/

12/17: The Glides Christmas Party/Toy Drive

Fresh from releasing a new CD, the Glides are closing out 2016 with a Christmas Party/Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots. The Glides have adopted four families with, as Travis Kenny explains, “obstacles beyond their means.” Admission to the show is free with a new unwrapped toy and the Glides are throwing in free merchandise for anyone who shows up with a toy. They’ve also established a PayPal account allowing fans from out of town to contribute as well at http://booking.theglides.com/christmas-toy-drive-donations.html. For those who may be unfamiliar with the Glides, they describe themselves on Facebook as "a rocking blues, R&B and funk-influenced band with smooth, slow dancing jams and good times beats that will get everyone on the dance floor."

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Tim Finnegan’s Irish Pub, 9201 N 29th Ave, Phoenix. 602-997-2323, timfinnegans.com.

12/18: A Very Country Christmas! With Some Dark Hollow

Some Dark Hollow set the tone for “Destination Unknown,” their latest album, with a tender country ballad, “To Whom I Belong,” and immediately change things up with the rowdy bluegrass-flavored “Jump That Train,” a plea for redemption from a man who’s “been livin’ like it’s all about me / Spendin’ too much on whiskey and wine.” From there, they make their way through such obvious highlights as the banjo-driven “Health and Women” and the melancholy title track, an understated ballad. American Longspurs’ approach to alternative-country takes the country side of that equation seriously, their sound steeped in tradition in ways that cut deeper than merely flavoring their songs with steel guitar and fiddle (although that’s nice, too). And the evening gets off to an excellent start with Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold.

Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $10; $8 in advance. 602-296-7013, the rebellounge.com.

12/21: Jazz Series: Wayne Shorter – the Blue Note Years

The Valley Bar Jazz Series continues with a tribute to Shorter that places the spotlight squarely on the Blue Note Years, as performed by the quartet of Brewer, Costello, Finet & Manson. An acclaimed jazz-fusion pioneer, the saxophonist won nine Grammys and played with the likes of John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock in addition to co-founding Weather Report.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21. Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $7. valleybarphx.com.

12/30: The Real Fits EP release show

Bassist Nick Smith says the writing and recording of the “Drown in Gold” EP allowed these local rockers (formerly the Fits) to “hone in on our sound and create a deeper chemistry between the songs.” A little under a year in the making, the EP found them seeking to create “a seamless blend of synth pop and alternative rock held together by powerful lead vocals.” And judging from the songs they’ve shared so far, it seems they nailed that seamless blend while offering a stunning showcase for those powerful lead vocals (courtesy of Raquel Willand), from the wistful charms of "Take a While" to the haunting, almost post-rock-flavored "Sundown."

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $10; $8 in advance. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.

The following shows already happened, but that's no reason not to read about these bands.

12/2: Warhead CD release

“Age of Tomorrow” is Warhead’s second album, and guitarist David Rodriguez says it “definitely shows a lot of new stuff” from the Phoenix rockers. “With this new lineup it has really encouraged us to step it up and collaborate as a band. Songs like ‘Age of Tomorrow’ and ‘IG-88’ really brought out our creative side and inspired us into trying some new things but keeping the true speed-metal vibe.” They recorded the album with Joe Asselin at Switchblade Sound, the same place they recorded their debut. “And it was such a pleasure going back,” says Rodriguez. “Joe really helped bring out the very best of all of us to give everyone this new album.” This release show doubles as the first date of their tour with L.A.’s BrainDead, who also have a new album, “Disaster Ahead," the physical release of which also coincides with the opening date of the "Age of Disaster" tour. Also playing: Through the Earth, Sanitation Squad, Unholy Monarch, Eye Rake.

Details: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Club Red, 1306 W. University Drive, Mesa. $13; $10 in advance. 480-258-2733, clubredrocks.com.

12/2: CO-OP EP release show

If you’ve been to Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding in the past five years or so, then chances are you’ve seen these guys and know their singer is, in fact, Dash Cooper, whose dad is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and whose mother, Sheryl, has been dancing at his father’s concerts since the ’70s. Their sound is something they call “desert hard rock” and the frames of reference cited on their Facebook page range from Corrosion of Conformity to Cooper’s dad, who they've been known to back. "Our style is along the lines of Red Fang, and Queens of the Stone Age, a heavy rock sound with a fuzz tone," says guitarist Court Stumpf.

They were recently signed to the EMP Label Group by David Ellefson of Megadeth and this show marks the release of their first effort on the label, a self-titled EP recorded at Full Well Studios in Phoenix. Bassist Justin Swartzentruber says, "I have been grateful to be part of a band who isn't afraid to have a bass driven sound, and have an influence in the writing style, not many bass players have that privilege"

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Joe's Grotto, 13825 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $8; $4 for 21 and under. 602-992-1007, joesgrotto.com.

12/3: The Doll Skin Winter Formal

I’m pleased to say I was able to present these local rockers with their first award – Best Breakthrough Band – at this year’s Heavy Metal Television Awards. They also rocked the house that night with a performance that served to underline how much they’ve grown from all the touring they’ve done since hooking up with David Ellefson of Megadeth, who signed them to his imprint, EMP, distributed by Megaforce, the label responsible for launching the careers of Anthrax and Metallica. In addition to hooking them up with a label, Ellefson produced the aptly titled “In Your Face” EP. Also playing: Sol Drop and Sunlaand.

Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $12; $10 in advance. 602-296-7013, rebellounge.com.

12/3: Eleven Forties

If you like your punk rock mixed with classic hard rock and delivered with the showmanship of a born entertainer who understands the inherent appeal of a shirtless madman throwing imitation money to the crowd, there is no better place for you to be this weekend. As they sum up the seeds of their very existence in their Facebook bio: “Mental illness. Very loud amplifiers. Vindictive name-calling. Broken drumsticks. Bad breath. These things and more characterize the history of the Eleven Forties." Formed in 2004, they lasted roughly four years, went their separate ways and reconvened a few years back to tend to their unfinished business, including the release just last month of their first proper album, recorded before the breakup. They're joined by Cadaver Dabba Dos and the Lonesome Wilderness.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Lost Leaf, 914 N. Fifth St., Phoenix. Free. 602-258-0014, thelostleaf.org.

12/3: Ghetto Cowgirl

The great Marc Norman just released his first new Ghetto Cowgirl song in 15 years, a bittersweet rocker with suitably jangling guitars called "Ally's Gone." "I wrote it in Weaton Missouri, population 721," Norman says. "It's Josh from Black Moods' hometown. I do the holiday season out there every few years. It's great for writing, a complete culture shock ... Anyway I used to play at a place called Casa Lounge. It's just off of Mill and holds the kitchen for Casa Samba, which is directly on Mill. This girl, Ally would come to the kitchen and pick up her order for the other side during my set." They're joined Tramps & Thieves and the Cole Trains.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Last Exit Live, 717 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. $8; $5 in advance. 602-271-7000, lastexitlive.com.

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Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495.Twitter.com/EdMasley.