Monica Topping
Tri-City Weekly

In the week following the Arcata Bay Oyster Festival, when only a few people came out to that Monday’s Budget Rock Night at the Jambalaya, the joke was that Arcata would likely be too hungover to move for a while.

But a couple of aspirin and a whole lot of hydration (perhaps also a hair of the dog) were the cure for that sunny day a couple of weeks ago and Arcata seems to have recovered, and possibly even become more energetic.

This week is one of those where I stock up on energy drinks and try to get a quick nap after work, each day, because to miss any of what’s happening would be a crying shame.

Depending on when your Tri-City hits your porch, you might still have a chance to get out to Budget Rock Night at the Jambalaya, this Monday (July 5), which features punk rock legend Kevin Seconds, who was the front man for the band Seven Seconds. It may be true that Humboldt has seen a lot of “that one guy from that one band” syndrome as of late, what with Lou Barlow a couple of weeks ago, a member of the Melvins at the Alibi in the past week, and Greg Ginn of Black Flag a few months back, but whether you’re a fan of Seconds for his solo work of his band’s music, it’s hard to beat the $3 cover.

Wednesday night, The Coup hits Humboldt Brews with some funky political hip-hop, delivered by front man Boots Riley and his five-piece back-up band. If you didn’t make the trek down to the Mateel to see The Coup play in December, don’t miss this opportunity. Riley and his band re-define what a live hip-hop show should look like, in part because the other half of The Coup, DJ Pam the Funkstress, doesn’t tour with the group (she stays back in the Bay Area, focusing on her catering business), and also because Riley’s band, comprised mostly of Oakland musicians who have known each other and played music together since they were children, are given free reign to be themselves and show off their skills on-stage.

Tickets for The Coup show — the first date of a short West Coast tour — are $22 in advance and available at the Works in Eureka and Arcata. I wouldn’t be surprised if it sold out.

Thursday night, local bass player Norm Crawford as Bad Kitty Presents brings The Rocketz to Eureka’s Red Fox Tavern. The Orange County psychobilly band will be playing with Hotrod Hillbillies, who describe themselves as “cowpunk” from Austin, Texas. While we don’t tend to have many rockabilly bands based in Humboldt, Crawford keeps the scene vibrant by bringing through some really great touring bands. And if stand-up bass and classic cars aren’t a good enough reason to get you out of your house, consider it an excuse to dress up — dudes in their dress jeans and their hair slicked back, and ladies in cute dresses and heels — I’m inevitably under-dressed for these shows, but they’re a lot of fun, nonetheless.

Once the weekend comes, hopefully the weather is amazing and sunscreen is abundant for the annual Mad River Summerfest, held at Pump Station #1 on West End Road in Eureka. The all-ages, free event runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the local beer garden benefits the Annie and Mary Rails/Trails. Music that day will include a really fun mix of bands like Ukesperience, the Lowdown, Akabella, the Fickle Hillbillies, the beautiful and resilient Courtney Weaver and one of my new favorites, Full Moon Fever — the new Tom Petty tribute band, which includes members of Strix Vega, The Nucleus and Yer Dog — as well as adorable hippie child/silk dancer, Gingko, who will blow your mind.

Mad River Summerfest will be followed by an after party at Humboldt Brews, with Ukesperience, for the 21-and-over crowd.

Happy summer, and don’t forget the sunscreen and hydration! You’ll thank me later for the reminder.

Monica Topping is the weekend mid-day DJ and host of the Slug Festivities Guide on 94.1 KSLG-FM. She also runs RadioRadioHumboldt.com, where she has posted the result of an interview she did with Boots Riley of The Coup, who talked about the time he worked as a telemarketer. She can be reached at Monica@kslg.com.