This David Bowie’s in world of his own

David Renzi

Friday, June 25, 1999 | 3:16 a.m.

The David Bowie who on Sunday will give a 3 p.m. concert at the Huntridge Theatre is not the David Bowie you're thinking of, which means there are plenty of good seats available.

But at $10 a ticket, the show is a bargain. Remember, it isn't everyday you get to see a man from Bass Drum City in the state of Drumstickmind Fairy Tale Land on the planet Drumoid.

And you thought Ziggy Stardust was out there?

This David Bowie, an entertainer, percussionist, songwriter, teacher, school motivational speaker, independent producer and all around do-gooder, landed in Las Vegas some time ago and has been trying to take off ever since.

In the meantime, he's biding his time with myriad projects -- this performance among them.

"This is the first time I've ever done a concert in this city," says Bowie, who pronounces his last name Boo-ie.

Actually, Bowie came to Las Vegas by way of LA. But he's created a fantasy percussion universe with fantasy percussionists to match. The common bond is Bowie himself, who becomes a different character for every style of music.

They are -- drum roll, please -- Two Drum Hot Tamale, who plays the timbales; Tip the Timp, the sophisticated timpanist; Long Roll, the oriental drummer; Sticksy-Nine, the rock drummer; Rat Tap, the jazz drummer; and Sir Drumalot.

"I'll go through these characters and explain to the audience what I'm going to do and why," says Bowie, who describes his music as a blend of George Clinton and Santana.

"It's more instrumental funkadelic," he says.

He'll also throw in some jazz a la Weather Report and Herbie Hancock.

"It will remind you of Sun Ra," he says, referring to the late bandleader who many observers believe slipped the surly bonds of earth long before he passed away.

Bowie, 37, will lead the four-piece band which includes Dave Ervin on keyboards and percussion, Randy Herrera on guitar, and "Shock" on bass.

Ervin will open the show with his own group, Crash N Symbols.

The audience will be composed mainly of students from elementary schools, junior highs and high schools in which Bowie has performed since 1989. He has given away 450 tickets for the concert.