Punk tigers: Tiger Army, a "psychobilly" trio from Berkeley, made a name for itself touring around Cali with AFI and The Meteros. After a series of troubles - including drummer Fred Hell getting shot four times during a robbery - the guys released their fourth album, "Music From Regions Beyond," in June. Now on tour with Street Dogs, a five-piece punk group from Boston, Tiger Army performs tonight at 7 at In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $15.50 at SmithsTix.
Bus pass: Kicking off a two-month tour, L.A. rapper Busdriver performs tonight at 6 at In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West, Salt Lake City. Rapping since age 9, Busdriver is known mostly for his eccentric personality and alternative hip-hop, staccato, jazzy, free-association rap sound. His song "Imaginary Places" was featured on the hit video game "Tony Hawk's Underground." Busdriver performs tonight at 6 at In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West, Salt Lake City. Sharing the bill is Daedelus, an L.A. electronica and dance music producer and arranger. Tickets are $10 at SmithsTix.
Hip-hop history: For hip-hop fans and music aficionados in general, Public Enemy is like the Alexander the Great of rap. Before Dr. Dre, Eminem and Jay-Z began to lead the game, Public Enemy was mixing elements of James Brown's funk and Miles Davis' jazz with socially outspoken lyrics; the power of the music matched the intention of the lyrics. Flava Flav and Chuck D's attention to the art of album production was another first for rap. Get ready for a slice of hip-hop history when the iconic duo performs tonight at 9 at Suede, 1512 Ute Blvd., Park City. Tickets are $25 at SmithsÂTix outlets.
Dullards only by name: Initially signed by Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell, the six guys of Slightly Stoopid released their eighth album, "Chronchitis," in August. Defining its sound as a fusion of acoustic rock, blues, reggae, hip-hop and punk, the band traces its roots to the long line of SoCal bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Eagles. Slightly Stoopid performs Saturday at 7 p.m. at The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $17, $20 day-of at SmithsÂTix or the venue box office.
A wee bit of country: Bouncy, sassy, over-the-top fun is what fans have come to expect from the long-legged, guitar-pickin' Junior Brown. Among his accomplishments is inventing the double-necked guitar he calls "guit-steel." When performing, Brown plays the guitar by standing behind it while it rests on a small podium. His music has been featured on everything from a Beach Boys album to the TV show "SpongeBob SquarePants." He plays Saturday at 9 p.m. at Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd., Park City. Tickets are $17, $20 day-of at SmithsTix and www.24tix.com.
Full of brass: Touring to promote the release of its third album, "Friend and Foe," Menomena, the indie-rock trio from Portland, often incorporates keyborads, electric guitars, glockenspiel, baritone and alto saxophones and drums in performances. Menomena hits the stage Saturday at 7 p.m. at Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $12 at SmithsTix or the venue.
Building pop: A sixsome from Melbourne, Australia, Architecture in Helsinki brings its avant-garde, indie, twee pop sound to Salt Lake City Saturday at 7 p.m. at In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West. The band's third LP, "Places Like This" (out in August), features the single "Heart It Races," which is laced with steel drums and various "na na na na" vocals that make it a hands-in-the-air dance-floor starter. Expect an energetic, light pop and instrumentally eclectic performance. Tickets are $12.50 at SmithsTix or the venue.
Three at the castle: It's Brand New, though, to be accurate, the group has been around since 2000. The alt-rock quartet from Merrick, N.Y., borrowed its name from a friend's band that broke up and has three LPs to its credit. The guys recently announced the single "Fork and Knife" can be purchased from iTunes, but won't be part of a larger body of work. Thrice, a four-piece rock band from Irvine, and MeWithoutYou, a trio of indie rockers from Philly, share the stage. The show is Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at The Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna. Tickets are $23.50, $27 day-of at SmithsÂTix and www.ktix.com.
Ice ice baby: Perhaps one of the greatest so-bad-it's-good acts, Vanilla Ice will grace our fair state on a quest to escape his past. After his legal problems with Queen and David Bowie, Vanilla Ice appeared on various TV reality shows including "Celebrity Bootcamp" and "The Surreal Life." In an effort to resurrect his music career, Ice traded his bubble-gum hip-hop image for a grungy, tattooed, cannabis-obsessed rapper, remixing his international hit "Ice Ice Baby" with Korn. Vanilla Ice performs Saturday at 8 p.m. at Teazers Bar and Grill, 366 36th St., Ogden.
One of a kind: A sparkling gem from Berlin, IMAX is like a hybrid of Prince and Roxy Music rolled into one fashionably confused, electronica, indie-rock synth act. IMAX's vocals are frantic yet controlled on cinematic songs such as "President" and "Spit It Out." He performs with Chris Corner, of Sneaker Pimps, Saturday at 9 p.m. at The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $10 at the door or SmithsTix.
Cheech and Chong: Best known for his public use and support of marijuana, comedian/actor Tommy Chong and his wife, Shelby, perform Sunday at 7 p.m. at Wise Guys Comedy Club, 3500 S. 2200 West, West Valley City. After a brief stint in jail for conspiracy to distribute drug paraphernalia, Chong vowed not to smoke until marijuana became legal in the U.S. In addition to stand-up comedy, he has acted in TV series including "That '70s Show" and "Miami Vice" and in the classic movies "Up in Smoke" and "Still Smoking." Tickets are $15 at SmithsTix or the door.
Rock pedigree: HURT, a four-piece metal, grunge outift from L.A., boasts an impressive lineage. Drummer Evan Johns is the son of acclaimed rock producer Andy Johns, most notable for his association with Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and Van Halen. Evan is also the nephew of Glyn Johns, producer for The Beatles, The Who and Led Zeppelin. The guys of HURT broke into mainstream rock with the singles "Ten Ton Brick," "Rapture" and "Falls Apart." Their fourth album, "Vol. II," features an assortment of instruments, including a dobro and banjo. HURT plays Monday at 9 p.m. at The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $10, $12 day-of at SmithsÂTix or the venue.
LDS DJ: Among the few Mormon DJs from little ol' Salt Lake City, Kaskade came to fame with his single "Steppin' Out" and "Everything," which topped Billboard's hot dance-club list. Kaskade's latest album, "Bring the Night" (released in late August), stays close to the synth, pop, techno sound for which he's known. Kaskade spins Wednesday at 7 p.m at Celisus Lounge, 625 Main St., Park City. Tickets are $10, $15 day-of at SmithsTix.
