PERFORMANCES / An Opinionated Guide

The bands listed here do mostly original rock, and they do it very well. This is the “Trust Me This Time” section. If I had a faster car, I’d go to all these gigs.

TONIGHT

* Charles Crews (Java Island, 2931 Cochran Ave., Simi Valley, 527-1635) Crews brings his guitar and vast repertoire to a smoke-free and jangle-friendly environment. SEE NIGHT LIFE.

* Randy Rich & the Ravens (The Whale’s Tail, 3950 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, 985-2511) As good as or better than everyone on Alligator Records, the nation’s leading blues label. (Also Friday at Barnacle Bill’s in Oxnard.)

* Conscious Souls (Bombay Bar & Grill, 143 California St., Ventura, 643-4404) It’s rockin’ reggae on a night of crummy TV.

* Ska Daddyz (Toes Tavern, 416 State St., Santa Barbara, 965-4655) Starving Student Night features free pizza for the famished and, of course, a soundtrack by these Silver Strand finheads, providing they survived last weekend’s gig in Mexico.

* Brad Nack & Eric Eisenberg (Roy, 7 W. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara, 966-5636) This guitar duel begins at 11 p.m. at the eatery Roy named for himself.

FRIDAY

* The Buds (Hungry Hunter, 487 Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, 497-3925) Blues in the basement near the mall. (Also Saturday.)

* The Ordinaires (Jolly’s, 640 N. Ventura Road, Oxnard, 983-0213) Covers and originals smoothly done by the two to blame for those Convertibles.

* Tijuana Hound Dogs (Eric Ericsson’s, 1140 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura, 643-4783) These two acoustic guys have lots of fans.

* House of Games, Little Jonny & the Giants, Jimmy Adams, Preachers Blues Band (Ventura Theatre, 26 Chestnut St., 648-1888) Local Rock Night takes a turn for the bluesy with an exceptional lineup.

* Bloody Mary Morning (Nicholby’s, 404 E. Main St., Ventura, 653-2320) No local band outdraws these east Ventura party animals.

* Flattop Tom & His Jump Cats (Carrillo Rec Center, 100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara, 965-3813) It’s a swing dance with rockin’ blues by the band led by Flattop Tom himself, who can outdance everybody.

* Zoo Story (Alex’s Cantina, 633 State St., Santa Barbara, 966-0032) It’s a CD release by these pop rockers.

SATURDAY

* Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Nicholby’s) It’s a video release party by these Kings of Swing, who dress better than you do.

* J. Peter Boles (State & “A,” 1201 State St., Santa Barbara, 966-1010) This guy is a gifted folk singer with lots of songs about hookers and hobos. (Also Sunday at Lorenzoni’s in Ventura.)

* Polychrome (Cominichi’s, 624 State St., Santa Barbara, 965-7917) Ginny Benson, opera-trained, can sing as well as anyone.

TUESDAY

* Urban Dread (Pelican’s Retreat, 24454 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, (818) 222-1155) This rockin’ reggae band out of the Valley has had this gig for months and months. Then again, what else is there to do on Tuesday night?

* Popsicko (Underground, 110 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, 965-5050) It’s pop rock smartly done--as the clever moniker implies.

WEDNESDAY

* Ten Ton Max, Low Life, Anticuss, Inflatable Date (Metro Retro Knight Club, 317 E. Main St., Ventura, 652-0100) It’s Round Whatever of that endless Battle of the Bands--all for three bucks--at the place that has a new name for the millionth time.

* Compiled by Bill Locey