The Best Five Shows in OC This Week

GZA--see Friday

Monday, September 24
Pawn Shop Kings
The Constellation Room

A unique musical style often comes from superior talent and vision, though it can also be a product of geographical diversity. Case in point: Pawn Shop Kings. They're a musical melting pot--a whole lot of Arkansas blended with SoCal's sunshine and a dash of Texas for spice, creating a folk/gospel/rock combination that's sure to get you grooving on the last night of their month-long residency. Scott and Joel Owen's music was impacted by where they lived during their childhood, and their wanderings helped them figure out a sound somewhere between Stevie Wonder, James Morrison and the Traveling Wilburys. On a song like "She Sings," you can even hear echoes of George Harrison's guitar riffs from his work on Rubber Soul. They've got blue-eyed soul hooks worthy of Joe Cocker. So head to the Observatory this holiday to catch a band that carries their musical journeys and origins in their songs. -- By Joseph Lapin

See Also:
*Pawn Shop Kings - The Constellation Room - 9/13/12
*Myspace Was Better Thann Facebook (For Music)
*Top Five Dive Bars in South County

Tuesday, September 25
Focus Tuesdays (featuring Oxia, DJ Nonfiction and Josh Billings)
Tapas

Focus, the mid-week house music dance party at Tapas in Newport, might just the most underrated club in OC. With years (years!) of experience bringing in some of the best deep house DJs in the business, Focus attracts a young, beautiful crowd of house fanatics and party people each week. With resident DJs like Nonfiction, Josh Billings and Wobs, the opening sets are as much a draw as the headliners. This week, we'll see the West Coast debut of French DJ Oxia, an EDM selector of the finest pedigree (see 8 Bit, Infine and France). Plus, there's plenty of three-dollar drink specials and the club's famous one-dollar tacos on the patio. Pretty great for a Tuesday night! -- By Erin DeWitt