X96’s Nightmare Before Xmas — with CAKE — is tonight.
Show of the week • This summer, irony-dripping rockers CAKE sold out Red Butte Garden, and now they return to town to headline the annual holiday show sponsored by local rock station X96, with The Naked And Famous and Brogan Kelby opening. The Northern California-based quintet went seven long years between releasing 2004’s "Pressure Chief" and 2011’s "Showroom of Compassion." In a Tribune interview, CAKE guitarist Xan McCurdy said part of the lapse comes from collaborating with frontman John McCrea. "John usually shows up with his guitar and four chords and a melody, and he gives us freedom to come up with the other parts," McCurdy said. "His songs are open to interpretation." The songs are more intricate than they seem at first glance, McCurdy said, because of the melodic counterpoints in the band. "It’s a challenge, getting your spot," he said, noting that McCrea will have a melody, trumpet player Vince DiFiore has his own melody, and then he needs to insert his own melody lines on guitar. "You’re trying to dance around each other," McCurdy said. "It’s exhausting and daunting."
When • Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE • Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna
TICKETS • $38 at SmithsTix
