Columnist Spencer Patterson: Party, new CD encompass Las Vegas music scene

Spencer Patterson

Friday, March 21, 2003 | 8:36 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Sun. His music notes column appears Fridays. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-2309.

Who says Las Vegas doesn't have a local music scene?

Certainly not Jeff Higginbotham, who has worked tirelessly since 1998 to promote local bands through his website, lvlocalmusicscene.com.

Tonight at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, Higginbotham's site will host a release party for the fourth volume in its annual lvlocalmusicscene compilation CD series.

Five local rock bands -- September Star, One More Weekend, the Ill Figures, Slow to Surface and Clockwise -- are on the bill. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5.

"We're just trying to grow the scene here," Higginbotham said. "I think that we offer a way to expose all the kids in Vegas. We're a center to find out what's going on."

For the first time, this year's CD also features contributions from acts outside Southern Nevada, a total of nine tracks from bands in Denver, Los Angeles and San Diego -- cities with their own localmusicscene websites.

But the bulk of the compilation remains rooted in Las Vegas, with 12 local bands contributing one track apiece. Along with the five acts slated to perform tonight, they are: the Side Room, Race to Red, Real Surreal, Corner Stone, FFI, the Joyntchiefs and Bonafied.

Higginbotham said he expects representatives from several labels to be in attendance tonight.

Clockwise, formerly known as Phatter Than Albert, released its debut album on RCA last year only to be dropped by the label early this year.

Despite Las Vegas' relative lack of success producing a breakthrough national artist in recent years, Higginbotham doesn't sound discouraged.

"Three years ago, the scene was a little tighter here, but I think it's on its way back up," he said. "We're hoping (tonight's) event will help kick- start things here again."

Music notes

Raising hell: Rapper Darryl "DMC" McDaniels of Run-DMC fame will perform at the upcoming Jam Master Jay benefit show at the House of Blues on April 25, according to one of the event's organizers.

Sean Christie, director of marketing for the Light Group, said DMC is slated to take the stage during a set by DJ Hurricane, which will precede headliners the Beastie Boys. Proceeds from the show benefit Terri Mizell, widow of slain Run-DMC DJ Jason Mizell, also known as Jam Master Jay.

Christie said that, initially, planners intended to hold the concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in March, with Public Enemy and Kid Rock joining the Beastie Boys on a star-studded hip-hop bill. In the end, however, the event was scaled back and scheduled for the night before the Beastie Boys' appearance at Calfornia's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 26.

The three Stooges: Speaking of Coachella, as if Las Vegans needed one more reason to make the four-hour drive to Indio, Calif., for next month's two-day festival, they got one this week with the announcement that three of the four original Stooges -- Iggy Pop, Ron Asheton and Scott Asheton -- will reunite for the seminal punk band's first concert in 28 years.

The trio is slated to play on April 27, Day Two of the Coachella event, supplemented by bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE). Original Stooges bassist David Alexander died in 1975.

The Mac is back: Fleetwood Mac has announced a July 5 MGM Grand Garden Arena date for its upcoming 40-city U.S. arena tour. Tickets go on sale March 29.

The current incarnation of the band, which includes Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, is set to release a new studio album, "Say You Will," on April 15. It will be Fleetwood Mac's first release with Buckingham since 1987's "Tango in the Night."

Help from his friends: Ringo Starr is scheduled to bring the new version of his All-Starr Band to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Aug. 31.

Among the members of his new group are bassist John Waite (Babys, Bad English), guitarist Colin Hay (Men at Work), percussionist Sheila E (Prince) and keyboardist Paul Carrack (Squeeze, Mike + the Mechanics). Ticket information has yet to be announced.

On sale

Popular alternative rock band matchbox twenty arrives at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 13 with opening act Sugar Ray. Tickets are $43 to $55 and on sale at the Mandalay Bay box office, at TicketMaster outlets, at 632-7580 and 474-4000 or at cc.com or ticketmaster.com.

The 2003 "Honda Civic Tour" featuring pop-punk bands Good Charlotte and New Found Glory stops off at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Cox Pavilion on May 30. MxPx and the Movielife are also on the bill. Tickets are $25 and go on sale today at 4 p.m. at all UNLV ticket outlets, at 739-3267 and at unlvtickets.com.

Tickets are on sale for two upcoming House of Blues concerts. Tomahawk, a supergroup that includes members of Faith No More, the Melvins, Helmet and Jesus Lizard, performs on April 30 with opening acts the Melvins and Skeleton Key. Tickets are $15.

On June 8 the House of Blues hosts the Alkaline Trio, along with opening acts One Man Army and the Start. The Alkaline Trio was originally scheduled to play the venue on Feb. 6, before vocal chord damage suffered by singer Matt Skiba forced the tour's postponement. Tickets are $11.

Tickets for both shows are available at the House of Blues box office, at TicketMaster outlets, at 632-7600 or 474-4000 or online at hob.com or ticketmaster.com.