First Ave is going to host a musical love-letter to Suburbs guitarist Bruce Allen on the night before Valentine's Day, Feb. 13. Allen, 54, passed away last week from numerous medical complications. His funeral on Monday was a touching tribute, but this First Ave show should be nothing short of a party befitting a fun-loving guy. The Suburbs themselves are set to headline the show, their first gig since 2006. Presumably, Beej will be on hand for the show (he didn't make the last one). The band that virtually birthed the 'Burbs, the Suicide Commandos, will also reunite, while the all-star band Allen played with more recently, the X-Boys, are also on the bill. Tickets are on sale now for $10.
Some other recently booked gigs of note: Rootsy psychedelic buzz band Dawes at the Triple Rock on Feb. 12, Ted Leo & Pharmacists at First Ave on March 15, Mike Doughty acoustic at the Dakota on March 19-20, Cowboy Junkies at the Dakota on March 21 (sounds like a lovely affair), Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at First Ave on March 27, Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer at the Pantages on April 2, the XX at the Varsity Theater on April 9 and Yeasayer also at the Varsity on April 27.
