Nov. 20
“Left Coast Punk” is a phrase MxPx coined long ago, describing their distinct style of punk rock with pop sensibility, hailing from Washington state’s stretch of the west coast.
Now more than a decade and a dozen albums later, the term serves as the title of the band’s latest release — a digital six-song EP and limited edition physical 10-track CD, out now, exclusively online. Info at mxpx.com.
“It just made sense to use the term,” the band’s front man Mike Herrera said. “It’s been around awhile, something I believe we coined, but it perfectly describes the clash of pop sensibility with the fast and hard playing that we’re known for.”
Over the past 17 years, the iconic Bremerton pop punk band has sold more than 2.5 million records world wide. “Left Coast Punk EP” is their fifth EP, the first released through their own label Rock City Recording Company, which they describe as somewhat of a leap of faith.
“It’s about time we took this leap into the darkness,” Herrera said. “After all, we’re musicians, there’s no retirement in punk rock.”
There is, however, an album of punk rock Christmas songs coming from MxPx this holiday season.
Find more at www.mxpx.com, hear samples from “Left Coast Punk” at myspace.com/mxpx.
Nov. 21
Drawing on their homeland’s Celtic, Scottish and seafaring heritage, over the past 15 years the Newfoundland, Canada-based band Great Big Sea has created a critically acclaimed slate of pop records and amassed an international following.
They’ve been nominated for numerous Juno Awards (Canada’s Grammy), and won five East Coast Music Awards over the years.
They come to Bremerton’s Admiral Theatre at 8 p.m. Nov. 21 (515 Pacific Ave.) in support of their ninth album “Fortune’s Favour,” which finds the band’s traditional Newfoundland folk fused even further with modern rock and pop.
Be ready for beer drinking shanties, traditional Celtic tunes and maybe even a Led Zeppelin cover.
For tickets and more info, go to www.admiraltheatre.org, www.greatbigsea.com.
That same night on Bainbridge Island, Kitsap’s own Eastern Canada-influenced Celtic trio Country Capers will provide the music for another installment of Contradance, kicking off with a “how-to” workshop at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Island Center Hall at 8395 Fletcher Bay Road on Bainbridge. Ages 13 and up, $12 adults, $5 youth.
For more on the contradance, call Jane at (360) 697-6192.
Nov. 22
The early 1980s Seattle folk trio Uncle Bonsai — which formed from a want ad, playing their first “show” busking outside of Bumbershoot and eventually ended up touring the national folk circuit — recently reformed and returns to Bainbridge Island this weekend on somewhat of a reunion tour.
The group, known for its intricate vocal harmonies and folk songs akin to self-contained one-act plays or short stories, plays at 7 p.m., Nov. 22 at Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. on Bainbridge.
For tickets and more, go to www.unclebonsai.com.
Also that evening, Northwest legend, jazz pianist Overton Berry joins Mark Lewis for Moondogs Too’s Sunday evening jazz series from 4-7 p.m., 714 Bay St. in Port Orchard. Free. All ages.
For more on that, see www.moondogstoo.com, www.marklewismusic.com.
All Weekend Long
The Kitsap County Fairgrounds hosts its annual huge Holiday Gift and Food Fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21-23 at the Pavilion. More than 155 booths will be available to peruse. Admission is $4, $1 off with a canned food donation, free with a new unwrapped toy donation for “Toys for Tots.”
Across the fairgrounds at the Presidents Hall, The Kitsap Mineral and Gem Society hosts its annual Fall Festival of Gems with displays, auctions and demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21-22. Free.
For more on that gem, go to www.kmgs.org or call (360) 876-4543.
