It’s that time of yearagain, when family members and old friends come home for the holidays. Turns out, there are lots of amazing musicians that call Santa Cruz home and they’re celebrating by doing what they love best—giving us an awesome show. This week, we’re featuring four great acts by Santa Cruz and Bay Area locals. Come wish them a Happy Holiday.
Friday, December 16
IAMSU! at The Catalyst Club Mainstage
Richmond native Sudan Williams aka IAMSU! has brought his funky lyrical prowess to hip-hop house parties and stages all over the Bay Area since 2009. Since graduating from CSU East Bay in 2013 he has added dozens of mixtapes and features to his resume, on his own and with his production collective HBK Gang. His hard yet goofy style, quirky slang, and signature Bay Area swagger opened opportunities to collaborate with heavy hitters like 2Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Kehlani, and G-Eazy, resulting in national praise and online attention. This show features IAMSU! As well as the entire HBK Gang, so expect plenty of on-stage antics, heavy bass, and some good old-fashioned hip-hop head banging.
Show at 9 pm. Tickets $27.50 adv/$30 at the door,
Saturday, December 17
The Expendables at The Catalyst Main Stage
The Expendables are a weird and wild bunch that has confounded the industry and listeners since their inception. Back in 2001 they practically created their own sub-genre. They called themselves a reggae band but had heavy doses of ska, surf rock, hip-hop and jazz, plus the occasional face-melting guitar solo, with album art featuring everything from Japanese geishas to acoustic guitar-wielding surf yetis. It was pretty weird, but they are from Santa Cruz. Since then, they’ve put out seven albums, been immortalized in the video game Guitar Hero, and toured with G. Love and Special Sauce, Slightly Stoopid, Kottonmouth Kings and other beach rock royalty. Even though The Expendables have soared to heights far beyond their Santa Cruz beginnings, they have never forgotten their roots, and regularly contribute to worthwhile causes like the USA Junior Surf Team and hosting “Locals Only” on KMBY FM.
Show at 8pm. Tickets $22.50 to $66
Saturday, December 17
Santa Cruz Up and Coming Showcase at Moe’s Alley
If you’re looking for some bands with something to prove, look no further than this local showcase of four of the biggest and most loved local bands in Santa Cruz right now. The Red Light District, Ginger $ Juice, Eric Morrison and The Mysteries, and Wild Iris have all made our weekly list at some point, but never have they all shared the same bill vying for rock band supremacy. No matter who ends up on top, it’s safe to say every band will leave it on all stage. Local music connoisseurs shouldn’t miss this one if they want to stay on the cutting edge.
Show at 8:30pm. Tickets $7 adv/$10 at the door
Friday, December 16
The Wail Aways at The Crepe Place
With a little bit of on-stage comedy, songs on the trials of the American dream, and a huge amount of personality, The Wail Aways are a modern folk twist on a traditional bluegrass band. This Santa Cruz-based three-piece expertly wields two guitars, a double bass, a banjo, and a dobro and skillfully moves from fast-paced bluegrass to traditional folk music with ease.
Show at 9 pm. Tickets $8 at the door
