Music.

Byline: The Register-Guard

The unexpected sonic merger of metal, mariachi

Metal and mariachi would seem to be the musical equivalent of peanut butter and jelly, but not in the eyes of the band members of Metalachi, who bill themselves as the world's first and only heavy metal mariachi band.

Embracing the stage presence of such bands as GWAR and Kiss and utilizing their talents as classically trained mariachi, the five members of Metalachi belt out heavy metal standards with distinctive mariachi flair.

The band, which plays traditional mariachi instruments, features Vega De La Rockha, El Cucuy, Maximillian "Dirty" Sanchez, Paco Halen, Nacho Picante and Warren Moscow. Their debut album, "Uno," includes covers of Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Dream," Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" and Dio's "Rainbow in the Dark."

The band's live act is part music, part comedy and all show. Metalachi plays at 9 p.m. Tuesday at Old Nick's Pub, 211 Washington St. It's $12, $10 in advance.

Learn more and listen: metalachi.com.

Benevento continues his Cottage Grove connection

COTTAGE GROVE - The last time piano rocker Marco Benevento came through the area, he was promoting his fifth full-length album, "Swift," a recording that was notable in that it included singing tracks (and was recorded in Cottage Grove).

Now, he's returning to The Axe & Fiddle in Cottage Grove once again, this time celebrating his own Royal Potato Family label produced album "The Story of Fred Short." His sixth album and the second to feature him singing, it was released Friday.

"Short" was recorded at Benevento's home studio in Woodstock, N.Y., where he lives on Fred Short Road. He explained to Pollstar.com that he started asking around about Short and learned that he was a Native American shaman who had owned land in the area.

As chance would have it, Benevento picked up an old piano that was said to have been owned by Short. The instrument inspired a recording session "and basically turned my improvisations into a sort of concept about Fred," he said.

Benevento tours with his band, composed of bassist Dave Dreiwitz (Ween) and drummer Andy Borger. They'll be at The Axe & Fiddle, 657 E. Main St., at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

It's $12 at the door.

Learn more and listen: marcobenevento.com.

Electronica tour makes a stop at the WOW Hall

Producer Eprom will be bringing his electronica tour to Eugene on Thursday.

Eprom, also known as Alexander Dennis, is a West Coast artist with early roots in mid-tempo bass and hip-hop. His most recent release is "Halflife."

Eprom also performs in the duo Shades, teaming with producer Alix Perez.

Also on the bill are San Francisco-based producer Woolymammoth, Suma and special guest Gangus.

The show at the WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave., starts at 9 p.m. It's $25, $20 advance (ticketweb.com).

Learn more and listen: www.eprommusic.com.

Missoula band No Fancy simply doesn't put on airs

For Jordan Morey, Raymond Lombardi, Max Dutcher and James Riach, music should be simple.

To focus on that thought, the Missoula, Mont., band dubbed itself No Fancy.

Now, a year after the principals joined together, the indie rock (or "basement rock," as members categorize it) quartet is releasing its debut album, "Basement Life." The recording features gritty guitars, rhythmic percussion and female lead vocals.

No Fancy is touring the Pacific Northwest with fellow Missoula power trio band Catamount in support of "Basement Life." Their tour comes to Sam Bond's Garage, 407 Blair Blvd., on Thursday, with local support by Eugene psychedelic funk rock band Absurd Bird.

The show starts at 9 p.m. It's $5 at the door.

Learn more and listen: www.nofancy406.bandcamp.com.