El Perro reboots lineup, Optiganally Yours returns to stage, Cindy Lee Berryhill reheats Nuggets, Run For Your Fucking Life reissues debut, Headphone revisits OB

Founded in 2019 and led by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Parker Griggs (Radio Moscow), El Perro is a psychedelic rock band with a second guitar and percussionist pushing the music into syncopated Latin and funk grooves. The group has gone through a complete lineup change other than Griggs, who is now backed by ex-Blues Pills guitarist Dorian Sorriaux, former Prisma Circus bassist Joaquin Escudero, and drummer Jeremy Davy. A European tour kicks off May 25 and wraps up over the first week of July.

“The Optigan was a kind of home organ made by the Optigan Corporation, a subsidiary of Mattel, in the early ‘70s,” says Pea Hicks of the obscure instrument around which his band Optiganally Yours revolves. “It was set up like most home organs of the period, [with] a small keyboard with buttons on the left for various chords, accompaniments, and rhythms.” The band will stage a rare performance at EXOTIKON, happening in LA June 23 through June 25. Fellow local El Vez is co-host, and musical headliner Don Randi, keyboardist for The Wrecking Crew, will re-create his ‘60s Exotica album on stage.

Cindy Lee Berryhill first earned notice in 1987 with her debut album, and her word-of-mouth hit song “Damn, I Wish I Was a Man” (“I’d be sexy with a belly like Jack Nicholson”). Berryhill will be one of the headliners at the Nuggets festival happening May 19 in Glendale CA, as will fellow local Mike Stax of the Loons. The bill includes Weird Al, Susanna Hoffs, Peter Case, Peter Buck of R.E.M., Johnny Echols of Love, Van Dyke Parks, Ron Dante of the Archies, Billy Vera (sans Beaters), and more.

Bumbklaatt singer/guitarist Fernando Cruz, aka Cruz Radical (Rail them to Death, Agonista, Illegal Visions), and singer Jason Weedon spent 1994 through 2001 in Run For Your Fucking Life. Their self-titled 2001 album was mixed and recorded by Gar Wood (Hot Snakes, Tanner). Cruz went solo in 2015, while Weedon passed away in 2019. A limited edition clear vinyl variant re-release of their 2001 album will be offered by local label Three One G, filled with actual razor blades and limited to only 15 copies.

“Our music blends our interests in everything from classical and jazz to electronic and independent rock,” according to Headphone, “while the lyrics look at the enigmatic space between connection and detachment, hopefulness, and despair.” Founded in 2014, their debut album Sector 1 was followed by Clouds of Scattered Noise and extensive gigging and touring. Headphone appears Friday, May 12 at Winstons in OB, on a bill that includes Suede Radio and a DJ set by Red&Ted.