Musical notes: Pernice Brothers bring perfect pop to Valley

Led by singer/songwriter Joe Pernice, the Pernice Brothers have released a stunning trio of bittersweet pop albums, the latest of which — “Yours, Mine & Ours” — came out a few weeks back. Possessed of a strikingly beautiful voice, Pernice sings intelligent and poetic lyrics of romantic longing and broken-but-still- hopeful hearts. Meanwhile, the band, which features his guitarist brother Bob, provides a rich contrast of buoyant- without-being-bubbly pop.

The combination is gorgeous and the group's music has endeared itself greatly to this writer, as well as many of my critical colleagues around the country. See the Pernice Brothers 8 p.m. Thursday at Modified Arts (407 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix).

Singer/songwriter Warren Zanes, formerly of ’80s alt-rockers the Del Fuegos, and locals Last Virgin of Guadalupe, led by Brent Miles, open the show. Admission: $8. Info: .

Former Refreshments bassist announces first novel

Arthur “Buddy” Edwards, bassist of the now-defunct-but-still-beloved Tempe band the Refreshments, is set to publish his first novel, “Stuck Outside of Phoenix,” on Aug. 19. Writing about that which he knows, the book is set in 1990 and details the adventures of one Josh “Hote” Hotle, a 21-year-old bassist with big dreams of moving to Seattle and rocking the world.

Following the dissolution of the Refreshments in the late ’90s, Edwards moved to San Francisco, where he earned a master's degree at the University of San Francisco and wrote the book. He now resides in Ashland, Ore., with his wife.

Sam Cooke discs upgraded with SACD/CD hybrids

Sam Cooke is often called “the man who invented soul,” and surely no one else is more worthy of such an accolade. Nearly 40 years after his untimely death at age 33, the singer/songwriter's music is still as vibrant as ever and, thanks to sonic upgrading, sounds better than ever before.

Just as the label did last year with the Rolling Stones, Abkco Records has released Super Audio Compact Disc and regular CD hybrids of Cooke's material. Combining two layers of digital information on a single disc, the hybrids are playable on SACD and regular CD players. Cooke's signature songs such as “You Send Me,” “Another Saturday Night,” “Chain Gang” and the civil- rights-movement-anticipating “A Change is Gonna Come” are featured among the albums “Ain't That Good News” and “Sam Cooke at the Copa,” along with the compilations “Keep Movin’ On” and “Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964.” All are currently in stores.

Chandler Center for the Arts hosts free concert series

Chandler Center for the Arts (250 N. Arizona Ave.) will again host a free summer concert series beginning 7 p.m. Aug. 2 with a performance by the Nuance Jazz Trio. Other shows include: the Sun Lakes Big Band at 3 p.m. Aug. 10, New Traditions at 3 p.m. Aug. 17, Sonido Global at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23, Burning Sky at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 and the San Marcos Symphony String Quartet at 3 p.m. Sept. 14.

No tickets are required for admission, and doors open one hour prior to showtime. Donations of gently used backpacks, clothes and shoes will be accepted for distribution to students at various elementary schools in the city. For more information, call .

— by Thomas Bond, Get Out