former Wall of Voodoo frontman Stan Ridgway touring (dates)

by Bill Pearis

Both with his band Wall of Voodoo and on solo albums, Stan Ridgway is a vivid storyteller, bringing a noir style (and a distinctive vocal style and harmonica-playing) to tales of love, lust, unhappy accidents, procrastination, ghost marines in Vietnam, urban ennui and other subjects. His most recent album is 2012’s Mr. Trouble which has him dabbling in ’40s-era jazz, which is a natural fit for him.

Of course he’s best known for his time in Wall of Voodoo (and their MTV hit “Mexican Radio”), and the three records he made with them are highly underrated post-punk classics. “Back in Flesh,” which they performed live in URGH A Music Way, is like the LA version take on Gang of Four’s “At Home He’s a Tourist.” His first solo album, The Big Heat, is a classic too. Various streams and videos from throughout Ridgway’s career are below.

Stan starts an East Coast tour tonight in Philadelphia and will be in the NYC-area for two shows: Asbury Park’s Wonder Bar on Sunday (8/2, tickets) and Joe’s Pub on Tuesday (8/4, tickets)

All dates are listed below…

—

STAN RIDGWAY – 2015 TOUR DATES
2015.07.31 – PHILLADELPHIA PA @ WORLD CAFE LIVE
2015.08.02 – ASBURY PARK NJ @ THE WONDER BAR
2015.08.04 – NEW YORK CITY, NY @ JOE’S PUB
2015.08.05 – SOMERVILLE MA
2015.08.07 – LEWISTON NY @ MUSIC IS ART / SPIRIT OF THE 80’s FEST
2015.08.28 – BERKELEY CA @ FREIGHT AND SALVAGE