Five Must-See Shows This Weekend
It's high praise for a band to get compared to '80s pop punks Descendents, and fellow Los Angeles County melodic-punk vets Toys That Kill share a similar backstory. Todd Congelliere previously fronted F.Y.P., a hardcore band with a rotating lineup. F.Y.P. followed a strategy employed by Descendents: changing the band's name to the title of its final album released under the band's former name (see: All). In Congelliere and F.YP.'s case, the title/name in question was ToysThatKill. "F.Y.P. was always so sloppy. It didn't matter who or how bad the drummer is -- let's just go on tour and he can leave," says Congelliere, explaining his preference for Toys That Kill. "That's the main thing, and I just like the songs better. They're a lot funner to play." Again following the example of Descendents,ToysThat Killtook an unofficial six-year break while its members focused on full-time work, school, and side projects. Descendents singer Milo Aukerman went to college, and Toys That Kill guitarist Sean went to culinary school, inspiring some of each group's best material. Congelliere set up a DIY studio in his garage to record TTK's fourth album, Fambly 42. "If we did a record three years ago, it would have been really bad. I know that for a fact. Instead of just rushing everything, we just took our time and we're really happy with it," says Congelliere. -- Melissa Fossum
Sunday, June 3: Caifanes @ Comerica Theatre
It was a year of landmarks when rock en español pioneers Caifanes released their self-titled debut. The Washington Redskins were crowned Super Bowl champions, then-presidential candidate George Bush made "read my lips" a catchphrase, and the hottest woman on the planet was a cartoon character named Jessica Rabbit. That year, 1988, was when the Mexican trio made waves in the Latin music scene by combining The Cure's gloomy brand of synth pop and flair with traditional Caribbean rhythms and Latin percussions. Songs like "La Bestia Humana" and "Mátenme Porque Me Muero" exemplified their sound, but it was a cover of Cuban folk song "La Negra Tomasa" that made them a household name. It's impossible these days to go a Mexican wedding, baptism, first communion, quinceañera, or any other celebration without hearing the familiar cumbia beat and haunting vocals of Saúl Hernández, a familiar sound if you've ever been to a Latin pachanga. The group disbanded in 1995 after Hernández and lead guitarist Alejandro Marcovich stumbled upon the "creative differences" epidemic that's claimed so many legendary acts. The split prompted Hernández to found another epic band, Jaguares. Fortunately for us, the original members made peace in time for 2011's Coachella Festival and are now continuing the feel-good reunion tour. -- Anthony Sandoval
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DWNTWN
702 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ
Category: Music
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