Come Together at Humphrey’s Backstage

Fab four fans won’t want to miss a set from Come Together at Humphreys Backstage Live on Oct. 23. Featuring guitarist Dave Keefer, guitarist/keyboardist David Lee Reynolds, bassist Melanie Reynolds and drummer Nico Peters, the latter formerly of the much-missed fellow tribute combo, The Baja Bugs. This isn’t a costumed band; instead, the musicians focus on the songs and having fun onstage. Come Together does a great job of replicating The Beatles’ vocals and instrumentation. While the band can play pretty much any Beatles tune, for these shows Come Together specializes in their up-tempo dance floor fillers, from “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” to “Get Back.”

  • Come Together: Friday, Oct. 23 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 8 p.m. $15.

Slappin’ The Double Bass

Double bassist Kristin Korb brings her show, “The Vocal Side of Ray Brown,” to the La Jolla Community Center on Oct. 23. Korb, a resident of Denmark whose early musical studies included a stint at UCSD, is a protégé of jazz legend Brown, recording her debut album with him in 1996. For this show, Korb is backed by Josh Nelson (piano) and Kevin van den Elzen (drums), offering up a curated mix of Brown’s compositions and session work, as well as songs inspired by his teachings.

  • Kristin Korb: Friday, Oct. 23 at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. 8 p.m. $35.

The Aquabats Back In Action

Billed as the world’s first superhero rock band, it’s clear that a key component of The Aquabats charm is “fun.” Appearing at The Observatory on Oct. 23, the costumed group has created their own reality, with a devoted fanbase following their adventures across media, including most recently the program, “The Aquabats! RadVentures!” that can be viewed via YouTube. Live, The Aquabats use screens, props and lots of audience participation to complement their hyped-up mix of ska, punk and alternative rock. It all adds up to an immersive show where the audience feels as if they’ve been transported into a Saturday morning cartoon show.

  • Aquabats: Friday, Oct. 23 at The Observatory, 2871 University Ave. 6 p.m. $46.


Johnny Cash’s Compadres, The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash

Alt country group, The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, stop in at Beaumont’s for a homecoming show on Oct. 24. Led by Mark Stuart, the group was formed in San Diego circa1995, receiving permission from Cash himself to use the name, and penning terrific original tunes that capture Cash’s musical spirit, with plenty of twangy lead guitar and pedal steel. Stuart is currently on the road promoting his latest album, “Where the Neon Fades,” but whatever he chooses for the night’s set list from his 12-album deep discography will be sure to please country music fans. If you haven’t yet discovered the Bastard Sons music, this relatively intimate gig is the ideal opportunity.

Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash: Saturday, Oct. 24 at Beaumont’s Eatery, 5662 La Jolla Blvd. 9 p.m. $10.

Oingo Boingo, most of them, at the Music Box

Manic new wave combo, Oingo Boingo Former Members, take the stage at Music Box on Oct. 24. Essentially Oingo Boingo without original frontman/composer Danny Elfman, the group’s other key members, including Johnny “Vatos” Hernandez (drums), Sam “Sluggo” Phipps (sax), Carl Graves (keyboards), Steve Bartek (guitar) and John Avila (bass), are all part of the reunited group, alongside new singer José Maldonado (lead vocals). Oingo Boingo’s songs are a big part of the soundtrack of the 1980’s, showing up in numerous films of the decade, from “Back to School” to “Weird Science”; their quirky rhythms and manic energy practically synonymous with the era. While it’s not quite the same without Elfman, Oingo Boingo Former Members deliver excellent versions of the hits. Longtime fans won’t be disappointed. Ska group The Untouchables, best known for their 1985 single, “Free Yourself,” open the show.

War Erupts at the Belly Up

One of the most popular groups of the 1970s, soul/funk combo War, returns to the Belly Up Tavern for a show on Oct. 24. The group has had many lineup changes in its nearly sixty years of touring, but still features frontman and former San Diegan, Lonnie Jordan, leading an excellent band that does justice to the songs. War is currently touring a career-spanning greatest hits set list, that covers all their best-known songs from “Spill the Wine” to “Low Rider,” with the night’s biggest sing-a-long likely to be for the ever topical “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”

  • War: Saturday, Oct. 24 at The Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave. 8 p.m. $91 and up.

Sleepwalkers Celebrate New Album

One of San Diego’s hottest bands, The Sleepwalkers, celebrate the release of their new album, “Almas Perdidas,” with a show at Tio Leo’s on Oct. 24. Mixing Latino cumbia music with rockabilly, The Sleepwalkers sound is that of an instant party, blending irresistible rhythms, good vibes and guitarist Ritchie Orduno’s amazing leads into something truly special. As heard on ”Almas Perdidas,” the group’s original music is every bit as good as their covers of classic songs included in their sets, such as “Cumbia del Sol.”  Now entering their third decade, The Sleepwalkers are one of San Diego’s greatest musical treasures, offering up a live show that never ceases to impress. Bring your dancing shoes.

  • The Sleepwalkers: Saturday, Oct. 24 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 7 p.m. $20.

Blue Rockit Band Takes Off at the Cordova Bar

Anyone looking for a fun soundtrack to an evening out would do well to check out The Blue Rockit Band, who play at The Cordova Bar on Oct. 25. A veritable live jukebox featuring a mix of blues and rock standards, the band does a good job on a range of songs that might include light, breezy renditions of tunes by the likes of Santana, Steve Winwood, or Gnarls Barkley. Perfect for dancing, The Blue Rockit Band’s set list of crowd pleasers will be a great way to wrap up the weekend.

  • Blue Rockit Band: Sunday, Oct. 25 at The Cordova Bar, 1319 Morena Blvd. 6-9 p.m. $5.

Todd Rundgren at The Sound

Iconic producer/musician Todd Rundgren performs at the Sound on Oct. 27. Influential both as a songwriter and producer of other artists, including the likes of Cheap Trick and Hall & Oates, on this tour Rundgren is backed by a terrific band that includes such musical luminaries as drummer Prairie Prince (The Tubes) and bassist Kasim Sulton (Utopia). The current tour setlist is die-hard fans’ dream, reaching back to 1968 and the song “Open My Eyes,” originally released by his group the Nazz.  Rundgren’s more casual fans can rest assured the night will also feature all of his solo hits, including “I Saw The Light,” “Hello It’s Me,” and “Can We Still Be Friends.”

  • Todd Rundgren: Tuesday, Oct. 27 at The Sound, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. 8 p.m. $105 & up.

Tom Jones at the Rady Shell

Legendary singer Tom Jones makes an appearance at the Rady Shell on Oct. 27. Aged 86, Jones has been making hit records since 1965’s “It’s Not Unusual,” and he hasn’t let up since. Most recently, Jones has been in the spotlight as a coach on television’s The Voice UK, but he remains a dynamic live performer. Jones is blessed with a strong voice and an amazing catalog of classic songs like “What’s New Pussycat?”, “She’s a Lady,” and his cover of Prince’s song, “Kiss,” each sure to have Jones’ legion of fans up on their feet and singing along. Time is marching on; if you are a fan of Jones’ music, make this show a priority.

  • Tom Jones: Tuesday, Oct. 27 at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way. 7 p.m. $56 & up.