Local, touring music top Valley’s entertainment picks this week
Venues are teeming with music this week. Fans will need to decide whether to see one of several touring acts stopping through or to keep things close to home and support a locals-only show. There are good choices either way.
The voice of L.A. Guns
The event: Hair metal singer Phil Lewis does a night of acoustic storytelling (and songs). With locals JT Hurt, Tangent and Tent City Christ. The draw: Lewis was the voice of L.A. Guns during the height of its popularity in the 1980s – he’s on the band’s 1989 hit “The Ballad of Jayne.” Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St. $15-$20. 559-412-7400, www.fulton55.com
Stoneshiver takes the stage
The event: A night of local rock with Stoneshiver, Darling Thieves, The Red Coats and West Howard. The draw: New music from Stoneshiver. Although the group disbanded in 2009, it continued to make periodic live appearances, like an opening spot on this year’s Summerland tour. Here, Stoneshiver releases “Take the Stage,” its first new music in close to 10 years. Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19, Strummer’s, 833 E. Fern Ave. $12-$14. All ages. 559-485-5356, www.strummersclub.com
St. Patrick’s Day, belated
The event: The Irish music group Altan performs at the Tower Theatre as part of its U.S. tour. The draw: The Belfast band has been playing traditional Irish fiddle and flute tunes since the mid-1980s, gaining worldwide recognition when it was signed to Virgin records in 1996. Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at the Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave. $24.50-$34.50. 559-485-9050, www.towertheatrefresno.com
Pop-punk nostalgia
The event: Philadelphia pop-punk band The Wonder Years plays a Sunday night show with Letlive, Tiny Moving Parts and Microwave. The draw: The Wonder Years may be required listening for the kind of poppy punk-rock that made the Warped Tour famous. The band is touring in support of its latest release, “No Closer To Heaven,” which debuted at No. 9 on Billboard’s Top Album charts. Details: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at Strummer’s, 833 E. Fern Ave. $20. All ages. 559-485-5356, www.strummersclub.com
Joshua Tehee: 559-441-6479, @joshuatehee
This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 9:08 AM with the headline "Local, touring music top Valley’s entertainment picks this week."