30 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Send ideas to montereycountynow.com/events HOT PICKS McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy” received extensive airplay. But in Monterey there is a band intent on reinstating rock to its independent, rebellious, powerful yet soulful musical throne. To start with, Bad Machine has the classic five-person lineup. Joao Brandi mans the guitar with purpose— driving songs, ripping into mesmerizing solos and peeling in behind the audacity and passion of Karma’s vocals. Martin Binder and Pete Hoegemier set the rhythm while Sindy Shen on keyboards reminds us why synthesized music doesn’t soar as high as the real, raw thing. Want more? They write original songs. To hell with weak covers of rock’s heyday. Bad Machine is doing it right. [DF] 7:30pm Saturday, Nov. 15. Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave St., Monterey. $25. (831) 655-2010, wavestreetlive774.com. FINAL FRONTIER If there was any lesson to be learned from USS Enterprise starship Captain Kirk, it may be this: Take off your shirt and wake up next to an alien. Kirk’s leadership skills could be hotly debated against Captain Picard’s, but for this event, William Shatner will be in the chair, likely fully clothed (too bad for any concupiscent aliens in the audience). Think of this as an augment to the screening of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan—antithetical to those that came out of the Eugenics Wars that led to the antagonist’s schemes. You’ll likely hear some emotional wisdom that Star Trek never fails at providing, and maybe even an iconic name shouted to the rafters of the Golden State Theatre. If Shatner’s still got it, and we think he does, it should echo into the far reaches of the galaxy. [SC] 7:30pm Saturday, Nov. 15. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $55- $129. (831) 649-1070. goldenstatetheatre. com. Monday, Nov. 17 TUFF ENOUGH Calling all those jonesing to kick off their week on a high note—the Fabulous Thunderbirds are in town for one night only, taking the stage at the Golden Bough Playhouse. The Thunderbirds are on tour promoting their latest and greatest (and Grammynominated) album, Struck Down, a record that blends the blues with raunchy modern rock. The album features epic guest appearances by Billy Gibbons, Bonnie Raitt and Elvin Bishop. Since 1979, the band has released 29 albums packed with tunes that’ll get you hopping out of your seat and dancing to their harmonica-driven, guitar-fueled, no-frills rhythms. Over the years, they’ve opened for the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, climbed the charts as a top-ten album rock band, and earned the W.C. Handy Award for Best Blues Band. [KR] 7:30pm Monday, Nov. 17. Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde Street between 8th and 9th, Carmel. $91-$166. (831) 622-0100, pacrep.org. Hot Picks by Sloan Campi, Erik Chalhoub, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Katie Rodriguez and Sara Rubin. Would you like to meet Star Trek’s Captain Kirk? William Shatner portrayed Kirk from his 1966 debut in the second pilot of the first Star Trek television series to his final appearance in Star Trek Generations, 1994. COURTESY OF MILLS ENTERTAINMENT Voted Monterey County’s Best Antique Shop ’25 ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • GEAR-000383, GEAR-000376, GEAR-000375 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
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