By truly weird coincidence, the other surname-dropping Twin Cities musician who once performed with the White Iron Band before making it onto "The Voice" is also returning to the stage this weekend. Mark Andrew Pudas has his first big post-TV gig in town Saturday at the Fine Line with another contestant this season, Dustin Hatzenbuhler of Apple Valley, opening (8:30 p.m., $7). The brother of WIB co-leader Matt Pudas, Mark has a new self-titled solo collection to tout featuring laid-back acoustic soul music akin to his passionate version of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," which prompted Shakira and Adam Levine to turn their chairs. …
Although they're young enough to be Brian Setzer's kids, retro rockabilly upstarts the Reckless Ones have found a kindred spirit in the lead Stray Cat, who wrote and arranged a new song called "Mean Pickin' Mama" for the trio's new self-titled EP. Produced by Mark Stockert, the six-song collection shows off a more refined, swinging, almost sexy sound compared with their punkier fare. Release party is Friday at Lee's Liquor Lounge with L'Assassins (9 p.m., $8). … Lee's is hosting another Ramones Mania tribute marathon Saturday — benefiting the American Cancer Society in memory of Joey Ramone — with the Capitol Guitar All-Stars, 99ers, GST, the Emilys and more (8 p.m., $5-$10). …
One of the pioneers of the Minneapolis Sound, bassist Rocky Harris (a k a Rocky G. and Rocky Garrity), passed away last week of natural causes. Harris replaced Terry Lewis in the Time and went on to perform with Paula Abdul and Alexander O'Neal. No memorial details were known at press time. … Neither of Prince's two May 25 concerts with his new band 3rd Eye Girl at Myth nightclub in Maplewood are sold out, a week after going on sale. If only the $259 ticket price was a myth. …
The Turf Club's last installment of the Ike Reilly Assassination's Saturday Night Special series is Saturday (9 p.m., $15). Then there's one more Saturday Night on May 25 at the 7th Street Entry. … Marijuana Deathsquads' series at Icehouse resumes May 18. In the meantime the noise collective announced that it will release a remix edition of P.O.S.' "We Don't Even Live Here" album for free in June. …
The Minnesota State Fair is hosting another Minnesota-Music-on-a-Stick concert at the grandstand on Aug. 30 with Trampled by Turtles, Mason Jennings and the Chalice. Tickets ($28) go on sale May 18. … Jennings has another big in-state outdoor gig July 6, the Twin Ports Bridge Festival at Bayfront Park in Duluth, also with Cloud Cult and the Kingston Trio. Yes, that Kingston Trio.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
