
One of the hottest blues-influenced alternative rock bands currently touring the West Coast, SO3, which performs at the Tiki House tonight, June 10, may only be three-men strong, but they make every note count. The group is helmed by ace guitarist Mike Artamonov in a team effort with bassist Serge Belongie and drummer Alan Clark, giving the band a hard-edged, three-pronged attack. The result is a joint effort that can dazzle with an improv blues (a la early Santana) or get the adrenaline pumping with a tight, melodic hard rocker like their own “M.I.A.” SO3: Thursday, June 10 at 9 p.m. at the Tiki House, 1152 Garnet Ave. Tickets are $3. 21 and up. www.myspace.com/SO3music Formed in 1999, Los Angeles powerpop quintet Rooney, which appears at Wavehouse on Sunday, June 13, has gone from major label to indie status, but that hasn’t slowed them down. While their business side has changed, the music remains much the same, with their latest album “Eureka” full of melody-infused pop rockers like the lead single “I Can’t Get Enough.” Ironically, after three albums, most people will have heard Rooney via their theme song to “Iron Man: Armored Adventures” on the Nick Toons Network, but if you’re a fan of the three-minute pop song — in the grand tradition of The Cars or Weezer — you won’t want to miss this show. Rooney: Saturday June 13 at 9 p.m. at the Wavehouse, 3125 Oceanfront Walk. Tickets are $13. 21 and up. www.myspace.com/rooneySlim Jim Phantom has a thing for cats. He owns the Cat Club in Los Angeles and has spent time in combos such as the 13 Cats, The Head Cat and The Swing Cats. However, it’s ’80s rockabilly hit-makers The Stray Cats that drummer Slim Jim Phantom is most remembered for. Currently on tour with his own trio — featuring former Kingbee’s guitarist Jamie James — Slim Jim Phantom stops in at Brick by Brick on Friday, June 18. His set list is comprised of genre classics, notably a revved-up recasting of Elvis evergreen “Burnin’ Love.” While there will be few musical surprises at this concert, anyone who enjoys vintage rock ’n’ roll sounds will love every second. Slim Jim Phantom and Jamie James: Friday, June 18 at 8 p.m. at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 21 and up. Tickets are $15. www.myspace.com/slimjimphantom Not just a blues band, Bad Habit, which performs at Tio Leo’s on Friday, June 18, includes a healthy dose of funk rhythms in their music for a sound that’s custom-made for dancing. The quartet notably uses frontman Troy Netters’ saxophone as a second lead instrument instead of the more obvious harmonica. The four musicians are all excellent, but the band’s focal point is Netters, whose soulful vocals take the band into Stax or Otis Redding territory. Bad Habit: Friday, June 18 at 9 p.m. at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.myspace.com/realbadhabit Anyone wanting to investigate the local hip-hop scene and beyond should check in with local music retailer Access Hip Hop. The shop regularly stages free, all ages, in-store performances from both area and nationwide performers. In many cases, these in-stores are the only way for those under 21 to see some artists live. On Saturday, June 19, Hawaiian rapper Creed Chameleon stops in to showcase tracks from his new EP “Ultimatum.” Chameleon has a smooth vocal style that’s effective on both groove-oriented material like “Paradise Life Relaxin’” and more aggressive songs like “White Flag.” However, it’s his positive-message tunes like “Morning Blessing” that resonate most with his audience. Creed Chameleon: Saturday, June 19 at 3 p.m. at Access Hip Hop, 1537 Garnet Ave. All ages. Free. www.accesshiphop.com/events








