Local Spins

The Knee Deep Experience
Funkligula
Funk quintet the Knee Deep Experience have studied their forefathers well, and Funkligula nods to the Gap Band (spoken passages), Roger Troutman (vocal inflections) and, of course, George Clinton (campy humor). While the accouterments are all in place, Knee Deep generally fail to bring the most important thing: da funk. Nutrients and Tangy come correct, but the rest of the uptempo numbers fall flat. Caramel is a terrific sensual ballad, but when it comes to ruling the groove, Funkligula shows Knee Deep are not quite there yet. C+

Next show: 9 p.m. Sunday at Sugar Daddy's, 3102 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, . $2.
Web site:www.kneedeepx.com

Motive
Worn Down Dream
With a blistering dual guitar attack and strangulated screams in every song, Motive play metal so straightforward its like its from a blueprint, and that's not a bad thing. As hard rock has been co-opted by rap/ rock, nü-metal and other genre permutations, its refreshing to hear a band hew to all the things that made metal's name in the first place, including portentous and quasi-mystical lyrics. The guitar riffs here are punishing, the tempos shift into high gears and singer Steve Buschart shreds his vocal cords all motivations to enjoy Worn Down Dream. B

Next show: 9 p.m. June 28 at Chasers, 8005 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale, . $5.
Web site: www.motivemetal.com

Hans Olson
The Best of Hans Olson, Vol. 2
The second compilation of material from local bluesman Hans Olson's lengthy career shows him performing solo and with bands. Olson handles folk and rock with the same graceful dexterity he applies to the blues, and the songs are all linked by his tasteful picking, harmonica blowing and beautifully worn voice. Though recorded in various decades, all of the tunes hang together beautifully in a worthy testament to one of the finest musicians and songwriters our town has ever known. A

Next show: 8 p.m. May 30 at Everett's, 20701 N., Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, . Free.
Web site: http://members.abilnet.com/hansolson

Phunk Junkeez
Rock It Science
Taking their music into their own hands, Phunk Junkeez produced and recorded themselves for Rock It Science. Progenitors of rap/ rock before the genre even had a name, the PJ crew have transcended the style to rock any party by any means necessary. There's funky bass, distorted guitars, record scratching, singing, rapping, humor and a good-time vibe throughout. They sing of success in Fall in Line, If you want it, you gotta work hard for it and the Junkeez are doing just that. B+

Next show: Nothing scheduled at this time.
Web site: www.phunkjunkeez.com

Scary Hairy
Intent to Deliver
Timing is everything. In the early 90s, local producer Michael Beck fronted a progressive metal band in his home state of Nebraska that recorded an album as part of a development deal with a major label. At the height of grunge, the record was shelved by the company, so Beck bought it back. Almost a decade later, its seeing the light of day, and Scary Hairy has re-formed to promote it. For the most part, Intent to Deliver has aged remarkably well. Its songs revolve around powerful guitar riffs and Beck's strong singing, which is equally suited to pile-driving rockers and the pretty ballad Lonely Children. B

Next show: Nothing scheduled at this time.
Web site: www.karmarecordsgroup.com

Various artists
Welcome to the State of Arizona, Vol. 2
A sampler of a dozen rock and punk bands, Welcome shows there's a wealth of talent in our state, even if some of the groups show more potential than chops on the disc. Highlights include Goz's driving Amphetamine Girl, Ember Coast's soulfully powerful Every Day After That and Sixth Year Senior's yearning Porcelain. B-
by Thomas Bond, Get Out