SANTA CRUZ

Mac Sabbath celebrates with supersized concert

It was 10 years ago that the world was introduced to a group of food mascots turned into nightmarish characters. Yes, 2014 was the year of “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” but it was also the year that Los Angeles band Mac Sabbath formed, satirizing classic Black Sabbath songs while also dressed as evil versions of McDonaldland characters. They will be celebrating their 10th anniversary, not with burgers, fries and a visit to the ball pit, but with a show at the Catalyst Club Thursday.

Mac Sabbath is not your ordinary tribute band. Visually, the band resembles demonic versions of the classic McDonald’s characters Ronald McDonald, Mayor McCheese, Grimace and the Hamburglar — here known as Ronald Osbourne, Slayer MacCheeze, Grimalice and the Catburglar. Musically, they perform parodies of Black Sabbath songs with the lyrics about fast food, such as “Paranoid” becoming “Pair-a-Buns,” “Iron Man” becoming “Frying Pan” and “Sweet Leaf” becoming “Sweet Beef.” Mac Sabbath have become viral sensations, even earning the endorsement from Ozzy Osbourne himself. With satirical lyrics about the commercialism and unhealthiness of fast food, it is a show that will make audiences laugh, think and rock out all at the same time. Opening will be Supersuckers and Shark in the Water.

The concert is 8 p.m. Thursday at the Catalyst Club, 1101 Pacific Ave. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $35.31. This is a 16-and-older concert. For more information, go to CatalystClub.com.

Tyler Hilton gets a stay at Moe’s Alley

For more than 20 years, Tyler Hilton has been a man of many talents, both as a singer and actor in movies and TV shows. He will bring those talents when he performs at Moe’s Alley Thursday.

Hilton first made a name for himself as a teenager when he called into Los Angeles rock station KLOS and sang an a cappella version of Jonny Lang’s “Breakin’ Me” to win tickets to one of Lang’s concerts. This led him to perform at the station’s annual Christmas concert that year, which in turn caught the attention of Maverick Records, which signed him and put out his first album “The Tracks of Tyler Hilton” in 2004. Since then, he has released four additional studio albums and also received steady acting gigs. He portrayed Elvis Presley in the award-winning Johnny Cash biopic “Walk the Line” and also had recurring roles on “One Tree Hill” and the VH1 series “Single Ladies;” he even appeared in the video for one of Taylor Swift’s first big hits, “Teardrops on My Guitar.” With songs blending folk, country and pop, Hilton has toured with the likes of Hilary Duff, The Wreckers and Gavin DeGraw. His latest album, 2019’s “City on Fire,” features collaborations with Kate Voegele and Hilton’s former roommate Charles Kelley of Lady A. Opening will be Her Leather Jacket.

The concert is 8 p.m. Thursday at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the show. There is also a $50 VIP add-on experience that includes early entry, early merchandise access, pre-show soundcheck and a photo-op with Hilton. This is a 21-and-older concert. For more information, go to MoesAlley.com.

And now for something completely different: John Cleese

Now in his sixth decade of performing, Monty Python co-founder John Cleese is embarking on his rather morbidly titled “Last Chance to See Me Before I Die” tour. The 85-year-old comedian is bringing the same level of humor and wit that have made him a household name when he performs at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Saturday.

Cleese got his start in the early ’60s as a member of the Cambridge Footlights Revue. His success led to him writing for several BBC radio and TV programs like “The Dick Emery Show,” “I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again” and “The Frost Report,” the latter of which he worked on with future collaborators Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Along with Terry Gilliam, whom Cleese met through a performance of the musical “Half a Sixpence,” they formed the troupe Monty Python and starred in the extremely influential sketch series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.”

Already a success in the UK, the show became a big hit in America when reruns began airing on PBS in 1974, leading to three movies and a legion of fans who still quote it to this day. Cleese had further success with another very influential British series “Fawlty Towers” and received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for the 1988 comedy “A Fish Called Wanda.” He has also acted in many other films including “The Great Muppet Caper,” “Trolls,” “Rat Race” and the first two “Harry Potter” movies as Nearly Headless Nick. Come enjoy the blend of storytelling and comedy that has made Cleese a living legend — just don’t mention the war.

The show is 8-10 p.m. Saturday at the Civic, 307 Church St. Doors open at 7. For tickets, go to SantaCruzTickets.com.

Scott H. Biram returns to Moe’s Alley

Whether playing the Catalyst or Moe’s Alley, Scott H. Biram likes playing in Santa Cruz. Wednesday will mark the Austin-based singer/songwriter’s second time playing Moe’s Alley this year, having played the venue in March with his Dirty Old One Man Band.

A graduate of both punk and bluegrass bands, Biram has made a name for himself in both genres and more since he began recording solo in 2000. His talents have led to him performing everywhere from the Fillmore in San Francisco to Paradiso in Amsterdam, appearing on late-night shows such as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and being featured on soundtracks to movies like “Hell or High Water,” TV shows such as “Sons of Anarchy” and “My Name is Earl” and the video game “Far Cry 5.” His newest album, “The One & Only Scott H. Biram,” was released in March. Opening will be the Missouri blues rock band The Hooten Hallers.

The concert is 8 p.m. Wednesday at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. This is a 21-and-older concert. For more information, go to MoesAlley.com.

This week’s calendar was compiled by Nick Sestanovich.