Devin Gray w/ Loren Stillman & Bill Kautz’s Golden Mean
Sunday, September 28 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Devin Gray (1983, Portland Maine, USA) is a distinguished drummer, composer, and bandleader known for his innovative contributions to contemporary jazz. Since relocating to New York City in 2006, Gray has become a prominent figure in the jazz community, collaborating with esteemed musicians such as David Liebman, Gary Thomas, Tony Malaby, and Nate Wooley. He currently divides his time between Brooklyn and Berlin, engaging with diverse musical scenes. Gray’s discography as a leader showcases his versatility and commitment to pushing musical boundaries. His debut album,”Dirigo Rataplan”(2012), featured notable artists Ellery Eskelin, Dave Ballou, and Michael Formanek, and was praised for its complex and intimate compositions. He continued this trajectory with “RelativE ResonancE”(2015), collaborating with Chris Speed, Kris Davis, and Chris Tordini, further establishing his reputation as a forward-thinking composer. In 2021, Gray released “Melt All the Guns,” a politically charged trio album featuring trumpeter Ralph Alessi and pianist Angelica Sanchez, addressing the pressing issue of gun violence in the United States. The following year, he presented “27 Licks,” a duet with fellow drummer Gerald Cleaver, highlighting his adventurous spirit and deep musical rapport. In 2023 Gray released “Most Definitely” as his first solo drum recording showcases his innovative approach to percussion, blending acoustic drumming with electronic elements to create a dynamic and immersive listening experience. The album reflects on modern themes, as seen in tracks like “Bad WiFi,””Doom Scrolling,” and “Crypto Punks,” which mirror contemporary digital experiences. Critics have praised “Most Definitely”for its rapid turnover of ideas and broad spectrum of extremes. The album’s strength lies in its eloquent orchestration of blended electronics balanced with Gray’s high-level improvisational performances. This release marks a significant milestone in Gray’s career, highlighting his growth as a forward-thinking creative artist committed to pushing the boundaries of percussion and improvisation. Gray’s most recent project,”Melt All the Guns II”(2024), continues his exploration of socially conscious themes, this time featuring Ralph Alessi and French pianist Myslaure Augustin. The album comprises tracks like “East Berlin 2024” and “Audre Lorde Straße,” reflecting his engagement with contemporary issues and global perspectives. Throughout his career, Gray has maintained a dynamic presence in the international jazz scene, performing at venues and festivals worldwide. His collaborations span a wide range of artists, including Sylvie Courvoisier, Tim Berne, Michael Formanek, Zoh Amba, and Micah Thomas, among others. As a sideman, he has contributed to projects with Andrea Parkins, Satoko Fujii, Marc Ducret, and Eve Risser, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to musical innovation. Gray’s work is characterized by a relentless pursuit of quality and sincerity, as well as an exciting energy that propels him toward diverse musical directions. His compositions are noted for their complexity and engagement, often described as both brainy and intimate. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Devin Gray remains a compelling force in modern jazz, sharing his unique musical vision with audiences around the world.
Andrew Sleighter w/ Aubrey Juden & Amanda Taylor
Saturday, September 13 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $18 ADV // $22 DOS Andrew Sleighter started in comedy looking for an outlet for his vulgar arguments for decency. Since then Andrew’s laid-back style and clever writing has won him appreciation from fans and respect from his peers Andrew is very excited to be a regular cast member on the hit new MTV series “Money From Strangers,” which begins shooting a new season this fall. He performs at colleges and comedy clubs across the country, such as Laughs in Seattle, Zanies in Chicago and The Comedy Studio in Boston. He has performed at the Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival in Seattle, the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, the Johnny Carson Great American Comedy Festival, and was a finalist in the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta. Andrew also wrote and blogged for Sports Show with Norm Macdonald on Comedy Central. He’s the author and creator of the well-read sports humor blog Locker Room Cancer. Andrew’s comedy has the ability to reach wide ranges of audiences and works in a diversity of rooms. Reliable and consistent, he rarely ends a show by lighting the stage on fire out of rage. Most importantly, he’s constantly fascinated by, and eager to keep learning about stand-up. Aubrey Juden is a stand up comedian based in Missoula, MT. She’s been performing original, creative, at times traumatic material for three years during which she has opened for Adam Mamawala, Michael Palascak, Rodney Norman, and Hank Green. You can catch her hosting a monthly showcase at The Grotto in Missoula, MT. Amanda Taylor is a comedian and writer. She enjoys hogging–a combination of hiking and jogging, not to be confused with trail running. She has been a staple in Rocky Horror – Live! for the past ten years. Much of her comedy experience comes from 14 years of teaching dance fitness classes, during which she quickly learned that people forgave her for forgetting all of the choreography as long as they were laughing.
Roads of Ruin Tour w/ Plague of Aces, Dank Crypt, & Bloodless
Sunday, August 24 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter When passion meets necessity, legends are born. Michael’s call to Dominic Ferraro was the spark that ignited **Bloodless**—the band they always knew the world needed. **Bloodless** formed out of a need for something missing in modern metal. In a landscape cluttered with gimmicks, they sought to deliver music that resonates with the raw reality of life. Bringing a fresh, unfiltered sound to the genre, Bloodless promises to return metal to its purest essence. This isn’t just another band; it’s the love child of every metal group you’ve ever headbanged to. Brace yourself for **Bloodless**—a new era in metal! Dank Crypt spawns from the harsh depths of Havre, Montana. Formed in September 2022 by Drew Torgerson, and long time friends Trever Berger and Travis Berger. Following a short run of shows, with influences spanning from Sludge metal / punk rock/ thrash metal/ Doom metal / and everything in between; Dank Crypt released a demo track of their song Snow Owl Eats At Daytime in August of 2023 and it was featured on Weedian’s “Trip to Montana” compilation. Debut EP “Crypt Scripture” Was released on April 20, 2024. Plague of Aces is a raw and relentless punk/rock band hailing from Great Falls, Montana. Formed in 2023, the group delivers high-energy original material with an edge, blending gritty punk attitude with a rock-driven backbone. While they occasionally throw in a few crowd-favorite covers, their core is built around writing and performing original songs that hit hard and stay stuck in your head. After navigating early tour setbacks due to management issues, Plague of Aces is back on track and actively booking shows across the region. With their debut EP out now and more music on the way, they’re hungry to hit the stage and bring their DIY spirit to venues big and small.
Death Support w/ Elephant Graveyard & Tephra
Thursday, August 7th // Door at 7:30 PM // Show at 8 PM // $10 ADV // $15 DOS Death Support plays crusty, depressive black metal fused with powerviolence and black & roll hailing from all over North America. Elephant Graveyard is a Slam Deathcore band from the United States. Tephra plays slow-burning doom with a focus on atmosphere and melody. Thick guitars and brooding synths drag everything down into a heavy, hypnotic haze, with haunting female vocals floating somewhere above the wreckage. Like everything you’ve ever known, it builds, it crushes, it fades. Featuring members of Shramana, Nightwitch, The Stranglies and other Missoula heavy acts, Tephra makes music for an impending long, slow collapse.
Jenny Haniver w/ Perfect Blue & Tephra
Monday, July 21st // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Jenny Haniver is the Portland-based instrumental, post-everything union of Randall Taylor (Amulets) and Eric Nyffeler (Bus Gas, Publicist UK). Taylor and Nyffeler have spent years crafting darkly-hued ambient and drone music, both together and separately, and have brought these influences and experiences to this new undertaking. Pulling from their love of post punk, art rock, experimental electronic, and post hardcore, they merge tight song-writing with the palette of the experimental, conjuring forth intense landscapes and stories. They do all of this, of course, without singing a word. Taylor’s cassette tape loop based project Amulets is one of the most well regarded names in the genre, having played and toured with Alessandro Cortini from Nine Inch Nails, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and This Will Destroy You, while Nyffeler is more well known for his work with the effects pedal pioneers Chase Bliss Audio, known for making devices used by Radiohead, Aphex Twin, and Stereolab. Despite only forming in 2022, they have already shared stages with the likes of Have A Nice Life, Xiu Xiu, Liturgy, Pile, and Big | Brave, amongst others. Despite their pedigrees in experimental music, the duo initially found that their approaches didn’t fully gel together, necessitating explorations into new realms of sound. Indeed, it wasn’t until they started introducing more aggressive dynamics into their songwriting, including programmed beats, that they discovered a path they wanted to follow. Haunt Your Own House, their debut album from Landland Colportage, is an intricate and sophisticated collection of songs in which, as A Closer Listen noted, “the ghosts are not dispelled, but accepted, integrated, and embraced.” Dense, genre-blind, and at times euphoric, the album palpably exudes a restless yet convivial spirit, revealing new details with each listen. Perfect Blue is a genre-bending, instrumental post-rock quartet from Missoula, Montana. Their music blends elements of post-punk, psych, shoegaze, folk and black metal for an eclectic spectrum of sounds moving between somber, intricate passages to dark, heavy soundscapes. The band’s debut album, “Empress,” is now available everywhere. Tephra plays slow-burning doom with a focus on atmosphere and melody. Thick guitars and brooding synths drag everything down into a heavy, hypnotic haze, with haunting female vocals floating somewhere above the wreckage. Like everything you’ve ever known, it builds, it crushes, it fades. Featuring members of Shramana, Nightwitch, and other Missoula heavy acts, Tephra makes music for an impending long, slow collapse.
Briana Marela & Dorris Doom
Tuesday, July 29 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Briana Marela is a Peruvian American composer, vocalist, and performing artist based out of Oakland, CA. Using her voice as a focal point, she makes use of visually engaging elements of tech augmented gestures and objects to compose and perform her music live. Her gestural and lyrical song performances draw from elements of both experimental electronic music and vocal driven pop music. Using a visual programming language and machine learning, she is able to make custom tools to create compositions with varying fixed elements that transition into moments of improvisation. She was most recently a spatial sound artist in residence at Audium in San Francisco for their residency New Voices IV, performing her multi-channel piece live every weekend from February to April 2025. She is currently a Montalvo Lucas Arts Music and Composition fellow. She received an MFA in Electronic Music and Recording Media from Mills College in 2020. Her newest full length release My Inner Rest, is due to be released on June 6th 2025 via AKP Recordings. Marela has self-released past albums, as well as releasing records with Jagjaguwar, Surface World and PIAPTK.
Coral’s Birthday Bash w/ Seditious Activity, Big Blonde, Meeting House, & Big Mosquito
Saturday, August 2 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Seditious Activity is a punk band from Missoula, Montana. Never trust authority. Big Blonde is a one-man punk band from Bozeman, Montana. Meeting House is a “Gunk” Rock from Great Falls,Montana! influences consisted of pub rock and punk ‘nuff said, catch ‘em, ya dig? Big Mosquito is a local Missoula ska outfit bringing a mix of authentic ska and high energy, with renditions and covers of such classics as The Skatalites, The Specials, laurel Aitkens, Phyllis Dillon/Freddy McKay, ect. Plus originals and more lively tunes like Murphy’s law’s 1%. Big Mosquito’s goal is to bring authentic ska and love for roots music to the forefront of our rising youth movement in Missoula and beyond. Big Mosquito is made up of Zane Lambert, Cameron Doucette, Evan Wright, Spencer Nelson, Nick Mogensen, Jacob Tirado, Rhett Matthew, and Danny Boatwright.
Goth Ball
Saturday, October 18 // 8 PM to Midnight // $15 It’s time for the Montana Goth Ball! Release the bats Saturday, October 18 at the ZACC! DJs GingerBat and Sister Midnight will bring you the spookiest tunes along with LIVE performances by Negative Gain recording artist Order of The Static Temple, as well as Academy Order. DJs will rotate throughout the night, so be ready to DANCE! This is your excuse to dress up and party! Gothic, leather, punk, Victorian, latex, lace (if in doubt, wear black). Dress to DEPRESS! For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Jason Scott & the High Heat w/ Kyle Hunter
Thursday, August 28th // Doors 7PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $15 Caught halfway between amplified Americana and heartland roots-rock, Jason Scott & the High Heat create a sweeping, dynamic sound that reaches far beyond the traditions of their Oklahoma City home. Too loud for folk music and too textured for Red Dirt, this is the sound of a genuine band rooted in groove, grit, and its own singular spirit, led by a songwriter whose unique past — a Pentecostal upbringing, years logged as a preacher-in-training, and an eventual crisis of faith — has instilled both a storyteller’s delivery and an unique perspective about life, love, and listlessness in the modern world. Case in point, in 2018 Scott earned critical acclaim as a songwriter when the second track “She Good To Me” off his DIY EP Living Rooms (2017 landed on NPR World Cafe’s Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing alongside songs by MGMT, Moby, and Jade Bird. It was only the beginning of a new life on a new kind of stage. A multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, and session musician, Scott spent a year balancing life on the road and life in the studio, where he produced albums for Americana artists like Carter Sampson, Ken Pomeroy, and Nellie Clay. Things began to expand as he assembled the High Heat, a band of multi-faceted musicians and roots-rock Renaissance men who, like their frontman, juggled multiple artistic pursuits. Together, Jason Scott & the High Heat have since become a self-contained creative collective whose talents include songwriting, music production, photography, video direction, and more. Jason Scott & the High Heat are: Jason Scott (lead vocals, guitar), Gabriel Mor (guitars), RyanMagnani (bass), Bobby Wade (drums), Garrison Brown (guitars, keys), Taylor Johnson (guitars,keys, aux). Hailing from rugged landscapes of Montana, Kyle Hunter is an emerging force in the Americana and alt-country scene. Blending the raw, untamed spirit of the West with heartfelt lyrics and rich harmonies. His music captures the essence of life in the mountains and out on the road. Influenced by the likes of Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, & The Allman Brothers, Kyle Hunter & his band bring a fresh, contemporary edge to traditional country sounds. Their live performances are a stirring mix of foot-stomping energy and soulful ballads, making them a must-see act for fans of roots music. As they continue to gain traction, Kyle Hunter & The Mountain Standard are quickly becoming a band to watch in the Americana world.
The Golden Ghouls
Thursday, October 9 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 8 PM // $15 // $20 VIP Ticket // $10 Student & Senior **VIP Tickets include VIP seating & a photo with the girls! PIcture it: Halloween 2025 🧡 Your favorite golden aged grannies have been asked to perform at the Shady Pines Halloween Ball, BUT – Just as the show is about to start Sophia has gone missing! 🖤 Is this a Halloween trick or has she fled back to Palermo? 🎃 Dorothy as the Bride of Frankenstein? Blanche is a Vampire? Rose … is dressed as a Christmas elf?! 🔪 Will the girls find Sophia before the finale? Will they make it home in time to watch Psycho? 🦇 Travel down the spooky road and back again to find out! One lucky audience member will become the next Ma, uh, Mummy, uh, #TokenSophia
