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Local bands Lagoon and the Jons aren't just hoping Tucson fans will come to their Oct. 14 Las Vegas gig — they're bringing them along.

The bands are traveling to Vegas "Almost Famous"-style on a 54-seat chartered bus and have opened the bus up for fans.

The bus will depart at 10 a.m. the day of the show and arrive by 7 p.m. There'll be time to grab some dinner and hit the casinos before the 10 p.m. concert at the Bunkhouse. What you do for the rest of the night is up to you.

Tickets are $60, which, according to Lagoon bassist Woodie Polk, is "ten bucks more than what Greyhound charges to Vegas minus the possibility of being jacked by a meth head."

Reserve your seat by Oct. 1 through Lagoon at 440-9825 or the Jons at 870-1477.

Visit www.lagoononline.com and www.thejons.com for more information.

Join Anton Newcombe back in the '60s again

Anton Newcombe, the frontman and only constant member of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, makes some of the best '60s-inflected psychedelic indie rock this side of the Velvet Underground.

The genius/mad scientist will be in Tucson Monday, but you might want to watch him in action in "Dig!" before the show. The documentary, which followed his band and the Dandy Warhols in their quest for quality music and record deals, won the Grand Jury Prize for best documentary at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

You can see the legend in the making live at 9:45 p.m. Monday at Plush, 340 E. Sixth St., just don't stand too close to the stage. Tickets are $10. 798-1298.

Listen to his tunes at www. brianjonestownmassacre.com

— Sarah Mauet

Catch country's newbies at Desert Diamond

Back in Hank Williams' day, a country singer loaded his guitar into a car that barely sputtered and introduced himself by stopping at every dive bar from Nashville to New York.

These days, wannabe country stars compete on cable TV's version of "American Idol" and hit the road in style.

Welcome to the "Nashville Star" tour, which includes 2006 champ Chris Young and a few also-rans: Nicole Jamrose, Matt Mason and Casey Rivers.

Next Thursday's concert begins at 8 p.m. at Desert Diamond Casino, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, off Interstate 19. Tickets are $13 in advance through Ticketmaster, 321-1000; or the casino, 393-2799. It's $18 day of show. (See related story in next Thursday's Caliente.)

— Cathalena E. Burch

West African-style reggae band in concert

Victor Essiet put very little effort into bringing his Nigerian-flavored reggae to America .

While the performer was busy making a name for himself in West Africa, reggae historian Roger Steffens was collecting everything he could on the young musician.

Steffens eventually sent the material to Heartbeat Records, which signed and added Essiet to its roster.

Essiet and his band, the Mandators, will perform Friday at Solar Culture, 31 E. Toole Ave., Downtown.

The all-ages show begins at 8 p.m.. Tickets are $10. 884-0874.

The Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation is holding a blues challenge at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., this weekend that will ultimately send one talented musician or band away with:

● An opportunity to represent the foundation at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn., next spring.

● $2,000 to get them there.

Sunday's event begins at 1 p.m. Admission is $5. 622-8848. The final challenge is Sept. 24.

— Gerald M. Gay

Several intriguing hip-hop acts are coming to the Old Pueblo through October.

California rapper Ras Kass kicks things off with a show Tuesday at Club Congress.

The Watts-born lyricist has been associated with everyone from Xzibit to Coolio, and his solo debut, "Soul on Ice," earned him wide acclaim in 1996.

Kass comes through town to promote his latest mix tape, "Eat Ou Mourir," due out Sept. 19. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. 622-8848.

Also on the horizon: Gym Class Heroes at Skrappy's Oct. 4, Pigeon John at Solar Culture Oct. 7 and Jedi Mind Tricks at the Rialto Oct. 16.