Barbara Wahli has a talent for turning her birthday into an event. A few years ago, the South Bay “Barb Rocks” promoter had the tables turned on her when one of the bands she had booked, Point Three, figured out she knew the words to Dramarama’s “Anything Anything,” which they covered. They made her sing it when they played it on stage, and instantly a birthday tradition was born.
The next year, Death Valley High got her to sing a Joan-Jett-inspired cover of “Crimson and Clover” that went straight into “Bad Reputation.” The next, Golden Hour convinced her to sing Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”
This year, her birthday show—tonight at Britannia Arms Cupertino—will take things one step further, however. This time one of the bands, the Trash Pop Icons, have actually written a song about her, “Barb on the Rocks,” which they’ll debut at the show. As for her now-traditional performance, she had decided not to do it this year, but then Mike Duell of the Driftwood Sin (and formely of Undergone) asked her to do an acoustic number. She actually got as far as picking one out, but whether it happens or not will be a game-time decision as they have had a hard time finding a moment to practice it.
One of the things Wahli is most excited about is that this show will also double as the CD release show for local band Cadent.
“I’ve been waiting for that Tabula Rasa CD for over a year now!” says Wahli.
The band will also debut the video for their single “Like Tonight” at the show. Cadent’s bass player Nate Skelton is also in the band Manjo and the Bandolins, who will also perform, along with a reunited Far From You.
“In general, I’m just excited about celebrating my birthday with great friends, doing what I love most,” says Wahli, “which is be around good live music.”
The BARB ROCKS BIRTHDAY BASH will be held Saturday, June 30 at Britannia Arms Cupertino, 9pm; $5.
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