Jazz and punk lead local music picks for the week
From toke-worthy “pot rock,” to fusion jazz and punk, this week’s music choices are fairly genre specific.
High standards
The event: The final night of the Kottonmouth Kings’ 20th anniversary tour, with Marlon Asher, Whitney Peyton and Chucky Chuck. The draw: If the name doesn’t give it away (or the fact they played this year’s Medical Cannabis Cup), the Kottonmouth Kings is all about the “pot rock” (or “rip hop,” if you prefer). The band has cultivated a totally underground fan base with more than a dozen albums of weed-inspired punk rock and hip-hop. Last year, the Kings started their own record label and released “High Standards and Greatest Hits,” with all puns intended, we assume. Details: This show has been canceled due to family emergency, according to the band. Refunds available at point of purchase. 559-485-5356, www.strummersclub.com
Jazz with Jay (Smith)
The event: Bakersfield jazz pianist Jay Smith brings his band to Peeve’s Public House. He’ll be joined by Eva Scow (electric mandolin) and Patrick Contreras (violin). The draw: Smith is well-known in the local jazz scene from his days at Fresno City College when he studied under Mike Dana and the late Andre Bush (who played on Smith’s first album). Smith’s musical interests range from bebop and jazz fusion to Latin rock, funk and ska. The keyboardist also plays in the ska band Mento Buru. Details: 10 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Peeve’s Public House, 1243 Fulton Mall. $10 at the door. 559-573-5735, www.jaysmithgroup.com
Back from the grave
The event: Punk-singer Michael Graves returns to Fresno on his “When Worlds Collide” tour. The draw: Graves was the skeleton-faced singer for the second incarnation of the Misfits in the late ’90s. Later, he fronted Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg. As such, he endeared himself to the punk and metal scenes and has since released more than a dozen albums of his own punkish, metal and acoustic rock. Here, he plays with his full band. Details: 7 p.m. Sunday, March 27, Fulton 55, 875 E. Divisadero Ave. $12-$25. 559-412-7400, www.fulton55.com
Joshua Tehee: 559-441-6479, @joshuatehee
This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 5:27 AM with the headline "Jazz and punk lead local music picks for the week."