NOISE

What's this about covering Doors material, not just with your tribute band Peace Frog, but in political science courses as well?

I teach Political Science 1, American government, at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California. The administration and the poli-sci department have been pretty supportive; a lot of them saw the Doors back in the '60s when Los Angeles was the Doors' hometown. About half the students know who the Doors are, another quarter don't know and the rest are fans. I show them footage of the show in Connecticut where Jim Morrison was sprayed with mace backstage and then tells the audience about the incident. Then I show the March 1, 1969, concert in Miami where Morrison allegedly exposed himself. I ask the students, which of Morrison's speech is protected under the First Amendment? If during the Miami show, people were injured or property worth a certain amount of money was damaged as a result of Morrison encouraging the audience to "have no boundaries, no laws," then his speech wasn't protected. As far as exposing his penis, that's protected under the First Amendment as an expression. He was charged with lewd behavior, but since at a concert you're paying for a performance, then you're willingly participating as an audience member. I still wouldn't want my young nieces being exposed to that—in fact, I probably would react negatively to anyone who exposed themselves publicly in front of any woman.

Our local sheriff, Bill Young, is pushing to eliminate or reduce rap and hip-hop shows. If a connection could be made between those performances and shooting incidents, let's say, would the performers' free-speech rights still take precedence?

It'd be naive to say that rap music hasn't attracted violence in Vegas after the death of Tupac. If a Klansman said "Kill all Jews" during a KKK meeting and his fellow Klansmen were "inspired" to follow through on his request, then it's foreseeable that his speech would result in violence, so it wouldn't be protected under the First Amendment. Just the same if rap artists showed gang signs, knowing a rival gang was in the audience. As a practical matter, it would be a good idea for one casino to cater to the rap crowd and have a high security presence—after all, casinos have armed guards there anyway. Just increase the security and scan for weapons. But of course in Vegas, if it doesn't make money it's not going to fly.

How did you perfect such a dead-on (so to speak) Morrison impression?

I grew up in a violent household—my father would beat my mother. Then, when I was 11, I heard Jim sing "The End" in Coppola's Apocalypse Now—"Father, I want to kill you"—and I completely identified with him. From that point on, I began to ignore my father and eventually he left the family never to be heard from again. So in a way, the Doors helped me "kill" my father, and I'm just forever grateful to them. I've met a lot of fans who were turned on to the Doors for reasons like that. At the same time, I'm completely anti-violence. I'll defend myself if need be, but if you want to fight, don't come to a Peace Frog gig—join the U.S. Army and go to Iraq.

Peter Frampton plays Caesars Palace's Roman Plaza Amphitheatre on April 22, reviving a "Concerts Under the Stars" series that was part of Las Vegas' live-music landscape during the 1980s. Such acts as Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson and the Beach Boys played an outdoor theater behind the hotel/casino. Now, marking the property's 40th anniversary, Caesars has resurrected the concert series. Also scheduled: Jon Secada (May 5) and Melissa Etheridge (June 17).

Don't have $200 for a two-day Coachella ticket, plus cash for gas, lodging and food? Or maybe you can't get off work April 29 and 30. Depending on which acts you'd hoped to see, you might still be in luck: In the next few weeks Vegas turns into Coachella Light with these acts off the festival's bill visiting town:

Living Things: Los Angeles (by way of St. Louis) sleaze-rockers. Download: "Bom Bom" (Beauty Bar, April 25, $10-$12, with Diamond Nights, the Adored, the Black Jetts)

Atmosphere: Backpack hip-hop group led by Minneapolis MC Slug. Download: "Trying to Find a Balance" (House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, April 27, $22-$25, with Los Nativos, Brother Ali, the Chapter)

Nine Black Alps, the Duke Spirit: (Nine Black Alps) Hyped British grunge quartet. Download: "Ironside"; (Duke Spirit) Female-fronted, PJ Harvey-adoring British five-piece. Download: "Love Is an Unfamiliar Name" (Beauty Bar, April 27, $8-$10, with Flaspar)

Bloc Party, the Go! Team: (Bloc Party) Melodic British indie rockers. Download: "Positive Tension" (Go! Team) Daredevil cheerleader-rock collective, fronted by female rapper Ninja. Download: "The Power Is On" (The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, April 28, $25)

Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley: Youngest of Bob Marley's sons blends reggae, dancehall and hip-hop. Download: "Welcome to Jamrock" (Red Rock Station's Sand Bar, April 28, $35-$50)

Depeche Mode: British, synth-pop godfathers. Download: "Enjoy the Silence" (Hard Rock Hotel, April 30, $70-$150)

The Subways: Teenage boy-girl garage-punk trio. Download: "I Want to Hear What You've Got to Say" (Jillian's, May 1, $1.08—for real—with Rock Kills Kids)

Imogen Heap: Female half of British duo Frou Frou. Download: "Hide and Seek" (House of Blues, May 5, $15, with Zoe Keating)

Tool: Prog-metal outfit returns with first album in five years. Download: "Reflection" (The Joint, May 5, $56.26)

Madonna: Second U.S. city on dance diva's "Confessions Tour." Download: "Hung Up" (MGM Grand Garden Arena, May 27 & 28, $75-$375) SP

FEMME FATALITY


Never Had a Daddy (2.5 stars)

Giddy, synth-crazed techno-pop from this St. Louis duo, with vocals that are one part Calvin Johnson, one part Luke Jenner. Derivative and disposable, sure, but ridiculously fun, for one night at least. Come prepared to dance or don't come at all.