New CD features AZ singer/songwriters
By THOMAS BOND
Get Out
Sept. 18, 2003

Perfect Circle Records, a new Scottsdale-based label, has compiled songs by Grand Canyon State artists on its debut CD, 2 Hours From Anywhere, A Collection of Arizona Songwriters.

The idea for putting the record together was to promote Arizona singer/songwriters that my partner, Norm Pratt, and I feel deserve more exposure, says label co-founder Mark Naylor. We want to make people more aware of them and we hope to be able to do more records by this genre of artists.

A CD release party for the disc takes place 8 p.m. Sunday at the Rhythm Room (1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix). Performers include Rich Hopkins and the Luminarios, John Ziegler and Tony Bruno of Major Lingo, Hans Olson, Bob Meighan, Walt Richardson, Joe Myers, Ralo, Harry Ingerick and the aforementioned Pratt. All of the artists have tracks on the disc.

Longtime local music advocate and former radio personality Mary The Bone Mama McCann will emcee the event.

Cover: $5. Info: .

Local bands to light up Edgefest in Peoria

Radio station the Edge (KEDJ 103.9 FM) has invited several Valley bands to perform at its annual Edgefest concert, which begins 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Peoria Sports Complex (16101 N. 83rd Ave.). Playing on the main stage are Authority Zero, Trik Turner and the Format. Punkers Redfield and Oktober will perform on the Bud True Music stage, while the local music stage will feature Spindle, 4 Bill Stall, Logik, Girl Repellent, Ticker Tape Parade, Unsound and Victim 26.

National acts appearing on the main stage bill include Bad Religion, the Used, Adema, Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday, Vendetta Red, MXPX, Saves the Day, Denver Harbor, Smile Empty Soul, Brand New, Rooney and Yellow Card. Tickets: $30. Info: .

Blues showdown for duos and solo acts set for Sunday

As part of its annual Arizona Blues Showdown, the Phoenix Blues Society will for the first time host a competition for duos and solo acts 1 p.m. Sunday at the Rhythm Room (1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix). Qualifying rounds and the finals will be held the same day with the winner earning the right to represent our state at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn.

Slated to perform are the Dok and Gal Show, Jeff Douglas, Uvon and Mike Simpson, Blues Paradigm, Sharla Shore, the Root Doctors, Les Izmore, Gregory-Albert, Emory Mr. Smooth Smith, Lisa Otey and Kathleen Williamson, and Dr. Kazar. Cover: $5. Info: .

Three Elvis Costello reissues precede new album

Continuing its extensive reissue campaign of Elvis Costello's entire catalog, Rhino Records has just released the latest trio of discs: Get Happy, Trust and Punch the Clock. As with the previous nine titles in the series, each CD comes with a second disc of bonus material some of it heretofore unreleased and liner notes by the artist. All are in stores now. Costello's new album North, a collection of orchestrated ballads, will be released Tuesday.

Let's Active catalog finally reissued, with bonus tracks

Mitch Easter is still probably best known for producing fellow Southerners R.E.M.'s first EP and two albums, but he also fronted Let's Active in the 80s. The band blended jangly pop with singalong melodies and became cult favorites a generation ago. Now, the band's long- out-of-print catalog of one EP and three albums has been lovingly reissued by Collector's Choice Music. Each disc contains bonus tracks chosen by Easter as well as new liner notes. All are in stores now.