Red Elvises Redux at Rusty’s; The Getty Exhibits Unsigned Artists

By Tomm Carroll

Friday, September 7-Thursday, September 13—Can those silly Siberian surfabillies The Red Elvises really be playing two weekends in a row at Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier?

The rollicking Russians (Igor Yuzov, Oleg Bernov and Zhenya Kolykhanov), along with their U.S.-born drummer (Avi Sills), love that rock and roll, and their goofy enthusiasm on stage is as infectious as it is kitschy. So if you missed them last weekend, be sure to catch them this Friday night back at Rusty’s, their favorite dacha-by-the-sea. And if you’ve never seen them live, what are you waiting for?

GET DOWN AT THE GETTY: The courtyard of the Getty Museum up the 405 plays host to a prospective new series of free music this Saturday at 7 p.m. with "Unsigned Indies." Curated and hosted by Santa Monica public radio station KCRW’s music director Nic Harcourt, the evening features performances by such label-less artists as singer-songwriter-guitarists Steve Reynolds and Abba Roland, "electronic chamber musician" George Sarah and his ensemble, and alt-country dude Ramsay Midwood and band – most of whom have been heard on Harcourt’s show "Morning Becomes Eclectic."

OTHER SHOWS OF NOTE THIS WEEK:

Friday

Demolition blues from Paul Warren and the Wreckers at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica.

Saturday

The Jenerators, featuring "Lost in Space" cadet Bill Mumy, blast off at Rusty’s.

Smooth jazz courtesy of the Sweet Baby J’ai Quartet at Lunaria in Century City.

Singer-guitarist Matt Cartsonis celebrates the release of his new CD, Matt Cartsonis Live at Boulevard Music at (where else?) Boulevard Music in Culver City. Singer-songwriter Dawn Hummer is also on the bill

Flash back with The M-80’s and DJ Slim Shaney at Santa Monica‘s West End.

Howard and The White Boys sing the blues at Harvelle’s.

Sunday

Renowned singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman entertains the kiddies at a special children’s show at McCabe’s Guitar Shop at 11 a.m.

Swing for free with The Swing Kings at the Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza at 6:30 p.m.

Monday

Acoustic night at 14 Below in Santa Monica features Roland Bolan, Watertown, Dan Zweben and Liam Anderson.

Two trombonists – Carl Fontana and Bill Watrous lead their own parades when they share the bill for a three-night-stand (through Wednesday) at the Jazz bakery in Culver City.

Tuesday

Hard-driving dancehall toaster Tippa Irie brings his ragamuffin style to Temple Bar in Santa Monica. Opening is Josh One.

Thursday

Jazz, Brazilian style, from Flora Purim and Airto and their ensemble at The Skirball Cultural Center up the 405.

Rock and soul classics, as interpreted by one of the town’s best bar bands, The Samurai Homeboys, at 14 Below.

SOULIVE TEMPLE BAR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

Funk soul brothers Alan (drums) and Neal (Hammond B-3 organ) Evans, along with Eric Krasno (guitar), are Soulive, a Boston-based groove-jazz outfit that grew out of Beantown’s "jam band" scene.

Their sound is eminently danceable jazz-funk, which mixes old-school grooves of the past with a modern hip-hop beat. The trio’s latest album is the smokin’ Doin’ Something (Blue Note), and that it does. The guys also do a killer cover of Stevie Wonder’s "Jesus Children."

So get there early, as the tiny Temple Bar is certain to be packed for Soulive. Why do you think they’re booked for two nights? If you’re lucky, you’ll find room to dance. If not, you’ll dance anyway once this band starts cookin’. Oh yeah, and be prepared to sweat, too. Opening act both nights is Kudo.