Tumbledown is the semi-rockabilly semi-Americana project of Mike Herrea, lead vocalist of the left coast punk band MXPX. They have just announced that they will be preforming a free show at the Yucca Tap Room on Wednesday March 24th.

The music carries an old-school country-western swagger, reminiscent of Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, with Herrera strumming a big dreadnaught acoustic over a chugging snare drum and stand-up bass. Guitarist Jack Parker adds to the Americana, with swiftly meandering, mean lead work.

“I don’t claim that we’re a country band… we’re just a band…I just like the fact that it’s a different sound,” Herrera says. “Different than a country band, different than a punk rock band, different than a rockabilly band — we’re somewhere there in the ether, somewhere in between it all.”

Tumbledown will be preforming with Andrew Anderson and special guests TBA.

Watch a video of Tumbledown after the break.

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I am very proud to announce that Rocky Votolato will be coming back to Phoenix for the first time after a few years absence. Votolato is one of my favorite songwriters. He will be at The Rhythm Room on March 8th.

Seattle musician Rocky Votolato is a soft-spoken, very kind, very hard-working father of two, born in rural Texas and raised in the Pacific Northwest indie scene (where he fronted the acclaimed rock band Waxwing). In his decade-plus life as a songwriter and musician he has sought to articulate something essential about life, writing songs that seem to have been scratched into a boxcar wall by a worn-out and lonesome ghost. His gravelly, sandpaper smooth voice and introspective lyrics mark him as that most rare of punk-rocker-turned-acoustic-troubadours: Votolato writes graceful, understated, human, unpretentious songs, demonstrating that simplicity is still a viable option for accomplished songwriters. Walking the line between autobiographical fact and fiction, his new album, True Devotion, is deceptively simple, peppering impressionistic narratives with moments of lyrical wisdom that can knock the wind out of you.

Tickets on sale on here on 1/15. True Devotion out 2/23.

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For the latest in SoMuchSilence.com’s series on Modified memories they got the input of Jared Bell from the Lymbyc Systym. His is one of the most honest descriptions of why Modified was so great; “In other words, people came there simply for the music.” I think that sums it up perfectly.

Read: Modified memories: Jared Bell (Lymbyc Systym)

Also Read: Modified memories: Stephen Chilton (Psyko Steve) [the peice I did for So Much Silence]

See Lymbyc Systym on 1/13/2010 at Sail Inn, info.

Southern California pop punk band Rufio will be making their first appearance back in Arizona after a few years hiatus on Friday February 5th at The Clubhouse Music Venue.

The groups debut record Perhaps, I Suppose… in 2001 both launched them to huge success and the The Militia Group as a prominent indie record label. Built of the success of Rufio the label went on to break such as as Copeland, Cartel, Acceptance and The Rocket Summer to name a few. Rufio then released MCMLXXXV (2003) and The Comfort of Home on Nitro Records. The band did high profile tours with No Use For a Name, Face To Face, and long stints on the Vans Warped Tour. The band also helped break newer bands coming up after them by taking them out on their headlining runs such as Taking Back Sunday, Brand New and Motion City Soundtrack.

The band disbanded in 2006 due to creative differences. In the years since there have been a few scattered sightings of Rufio. But the February 5th show in Tempe and a January 23rd show in Pomona California will mark their first publicized shows since reuniting, and the first before the band releases their fourth yet unnamed album some time in 2010.

You can Buy tickets at Ticketweb.com

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Legendary Southern California punk rockers The Vandals will make their first Phoenix show after several years for one of their annual Christmas shows at The Clubhouse on Friday December 11th. After having released ten full-length studio albums including “Fear of a Punk Planet” and “Oi to the World! ” the irreverent punk band will make their 30th anniversary next year.

They will be joined by Voodoo Glow Skulls and Knock-Out.

Click Here to buy tickets, or get them at Zia Record, Stinkweeds, Hoodlums Eastside Records or Revolver Records.

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Mike and Jared Bell of the instrumental band Lymbyc Systym started out here in Phoenix but have since moved, Mike to Brooklyn and Jared to Austin. Their next tour will bring them back to the Valley for one show, at The Sail Inn.

“The duo’s sound relies heavily on emotion and atmosphere, mixing endless layers of keys and guitars atop elaborate drumming and shape-shifting song dynamics, resulting in either gentle melodies or electrifying bombast” - The Arizona Republic.

On many of their tours they have played as their headliners backing band, including One Am Radio and Her Space Holiday, Mike has also toured as the live drummer for dance band Crystal Castles.

They will be playing with Helios and What Laura Says.

Click Here to buy tickets.

Click Here to hear their Daytrotter session from last year.

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The Arizona Republic has published a story on this weekends Indie Bowl. There is still time to sign up a team.

Read: 11/21: Independents Bowl raises money for Local First, Non-profit Local First to benefit from tourney

The really neat local music blog SoMuchSilence.com just published a thing I wrote for them on my reflections on Modified Arts as part of a series they are doing looking back at the venue as it goes through some changes. It is a little more of a personal reflection on the place than what I wrote on this site a while back.

Read: Modified memories: Stephen Chilton (Psyko Steve)

Electric Mustache just up a piece on tomorrow nights Vice 15 Year Anniversary Party at The Yucca Tap Room with Crystal Antlers.

Read Crystal Antlers + Vice + Free Booze = ?????

RSVP Hear

The Phoenix New Times music blog Up On The Sun just posted a story on the Vice Party this Wednesday. Read: Vice Magazine Is Throwing Another Pimped-Out Party This Wednesday

RSVP here.