Anyone who enjoys surf or instrumental music won’t want to miss a performance from The Surfaris on May 17 at Tio Leo’s. Best known for their iconic 1963 hits, “Surfer Joe” and “Wipe Out,” The Surfaris music has been covered by everyone from ’80s hip hop stars, The Fat Boys, to modern-era indie rockers, Los Straightjackets.
The band today still features original guitarist Bob Berryhill, alongside members of his family, performing classics of the era with the same passion as five decades ago.
There are very few original rockers left, don’t pass up this special appearance by one of the musicians who helped set the template for today’s rock ‘n’ roll scene.
The Surfaris: Thursday, May 17 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 8 to 10 p.m. 21 and up. tioleos.com. Mission Bay High School’s Music Program will hold its annual Jazz on the Green concert on Thursday May 17. The outdoor event, under the guidance of the school’s music director, JP Balmat, will be held on campus, beginning at 5:30 p.m., with performances from all the school’s ensembles. Jazz on the Green: Thursday, May 17 at Mission Bay High School, 2475 Grand Ave. 5:30 to 10 p.m. All ages. missionbaymusic.com. Indie rock quartet Avenue Army perform at the 710 Beach Club on May 18. As heard on their radio-friendly tunes such as “Never Age,” the quartet excels at angular modern powerpop with a touch of hard rock bombast, in the tradition of such bands as Jimmy Eat World and Weezer. Originally formed in St. Paul, Minn., circa 2009, the band relocated to the West Coast in 2016, quickly becoming a mainstay of the local club scene. The band will be spotlighting tracks from a new EP, due later this year, “The American Criminals.”
Avenue Army: Friday, May 18, at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 9 p.m. 21 and up. 710bc.com. On May 18, Dizzy’s will be the site of a special 20th anniversary concert from The Orquesta Bi-Nacional Mambo, directed by trumpeter Bill Caballero. This is a true big band, featuring more than 20 musicians onstage, ensuring that this concert will be an explosion of sound and rhythm. Anyone who enjoys Latin sounds, heavy percussion and dazzling horn interplay won’t want to miss a second of this dynamic show. The only downside to these irresistible rhythms is that Dizzy’s is not a dance venue.
The Orquesta Bi-Nacional Mambo: Friday, May 18, at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. dizzysjazz.com. Brick by Brick continues to be the place to go in San Diego for cutting-edge metal. Such is the case with Faroese metal band Tyr, who appears at the venue on May 21. Formed in 1998, the group sings in English, mostly about Viking mythology, but their ultra-melodic sound has universal appeal. Tyr is touring in advance of a new album later this year, but rock fans who want to investigate their sound further will find plenty of great tracks on their 11 albums to date. Tyr: Monday, May 21, at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 7 p.m. 21 and up. brickbybrick.com. Classic rockers Exit 6 stop in at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on May 23 for two sets of evergreen covers. The band has a few choice originals such as “No Time To Play,” but the bulk of the set is made up of a wide range of blues-based tunes.
Exit 6: Wednesday, May 23, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. $12. humphreysbackstagelive.com.
