SANTA CRUZ

Detroit Cobras bring garage rock to Crepe Place

For those looking for a hip-shaking good time, the Detroit Cobras will provide exactly that when they play The Crepe Place Thursday.

Following the explosion of the White Stripes in the early 2000s, much of the music press’ attention was on the Detroit garage rock scene. The Motor City, of course, has always had a rich musical legacy from Motown to Bob Seger to laying the groundwork for punk rock with the Stooges and the MC5. However, with the White Stripes getting heavy radio and MTV airplay after the release of their third album “White Blood Cells,” Detroit was back in the spotlight with garage rock bands like the Detroit Cobras, who blended fast-paced rock and soul and became heroes in their hometown, especially their charismatic lead vocalist Rachel Nagy.

The band was even featured on the 2001 album “Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit” compiled by Jack White and starring Detroit garage bands like The Von Bondies, Soledad Brothers, The Dirtbombs and more. Sadly, Nagy died in 2022 of undisclosed causes, but the Detroit Cobras carried on with a lineup that included founding guitarist Mary Ramirez and former Zen Guerrilla vocalist Marcus Durant on lead vocals. This lineup will pay tribute to Nagy in the most appropriate way possible: by giving the audience a taste of high-octane rock and roll. San Francisco garage band The Ific will open.

The concert is 8 p.m. Thursday at The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave. Tickets are $20. For more information, go to TheCrepePlace.com.

Pop Girl Pride kicks off Pride Month at the Catalyst

June is designated as Pride Month to honor the history and legacy of the LGBTQ+ movement and typically features a lot of festive events where all can feel seen. However, nothing says these festivities have to start in June. Entertainment company Sugarush is going on tour with a series of events that include drag shows, themed drinks and DJs spinning songs that exemplify the modern pop girl movement. Before Pop Girl Pride heads to big cities like New York and Toronto, it will stop at the Catalyst Club Friday.

Hosted by Australian DJ Emma Parke, Sugarush brings themed parties to venues throughout Oceania and North America, generally centered around current pop stars. Friday’s party will follow suit. Amid the drag shows and specialty cocktails, there will be songs by modern pop superstars like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan spun, as well as veterans like Lady Gaga and Charli XCX. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best outfits and dance as the Catalyst Club starts to feel more like the Pink Pony Club.

The party kicks off at 9 p.m. Friday at the Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave. Doors open at 8:30. Tickets range from $19.26 to $32.12. This is an 18-and-older event. For more information, go to Catalystclub.com.

Mothfest pays tribute to late musician Dan Lamothe

Last year, Moe’s Alley paid tribute to local bassist and firefighting recruit Dan Lamothe who died during a training exercise in 2023. With a lineup consisting of Dog Party, Dark Ride and Blitzkid, all of whom knew Lamothe personally, the show was sold out, with all proceeds going to local charities in his name. Organizers will be honoring Lamothe again with the second annual Mothfest at Moe’s Alley Saturday.A bassist with the Santa Cruz psychobilly horror punk band Stellar Corpses, Lamothe also had longtime dreams of becoming a firefighter, which came closer to fruition as he began training with the Santa Cruz Fire Department in January 2023. However, during a strenuous rescue training exercise at the Ben Lomond Training Center a month later, Lamothe collapsed and died at the age of 38. Many vigils were held and tributes published over the following months.

Saturday’s lineup will consist of Americana band Diggin’ Trails, horror punk band Dark Ride, Latin punk band Fulminante and Mad Marge of the defunct psychobilly band Mad Marge and the Stonecutters. Specialty drinks will also be served and proceeds from the concert and a raffle will once again be donated to charities in Lamothe’s name.

The concert is 8 p.m. Saturday at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. This is a 21-and-older concert. For more information, go to MoesAlley.com.

It’s good to be King: Emily King to play Moe’s Alley

Get ready for a soulful evening when New York R&B singer Emily King plays Moe’s Alley Sunday.

Raised in NYC’s Lower East Side, King began playing venues in Greenwich Village in her teens and was discovered by legendary record executive Clive Davis who signed her to his company J Records. Soon, King guested on Nas’ 2004 song “Reason” and released her debut album “East Side Story” in 2007, earning her the first of four Grammy nominations. King has collaborated or toured with the likes of Norah Jones, Maroon 5, Lupe Fiasco, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Sara Bareilles and Chaka Khan. She is currently recording a new album in the Catskill Mountains. Opening will be neo-soul singer Meernaa.

The concert is 8 p.m. Sunday at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $32 plus fees. This is a 21-and-older show. For more information, go to MoesAlley.com.

This week’s calendar was compiled by Nick Sestanovich.