Return of the Rangers!

If you need a break from March Madness this weekend, or you need cheering up after your bracket got busted, the area live music scene has some relief in store.

One of this weekend’s highlights occurs Saturday night at Pellegrine’s with the return of Buffalo classic-rocking trio the Ozone Rangers. Long known for their ZZ Top tribute, the current Ozone Rangers lineup of singer/guitarist Bob Muhlbauer, bassist Marty Monti and drummer Brendan Komenda will likely feature a set devoted to the Texas trio, along with at least one set of strongly-performed classic rock favorites. The group may reprise their “Medley in ‘E’” – a lengthy uptempo medley that strings together classics all performed or geared into the key of E. Local rockers Left For Dead, featuring former members of Aunt Lisa’s Bone, will open the show.

Also happening on stage this weekend, if you want to experience what it’s like to sing along with an actual live band, local karaoke-backing group kBand will bring their unique show to the Ramada Cosmopolitan Lounge on Friday night. You get to sing lead vocals, backed by guitarists Bruce Forr and Jason Kaufmann, bassist Brett Fanelli and drummer Tim Wilkins. With their arsenal of more than 1,000 songs to choose from, kBand will play nearly any request, coordinating their performances with a prompter scrolling the lyrics. This can be challenging for the musicians, as they must be ready to stall or shift gears on a dime if a singing hopeful messes up, gets lost or decided to improvise on lyrics, cadence of style of the song. The live karaoke party of kBand can be fun for singing hopefuls and their friends, but also intriguing to music fans interested in seeing how a band can improvise and adjust on the fly.

Ebensburg-based fivesome Juke Left will celebrate the release of their first official recording with a CD-release show this Friday night at Yesterday’s Party in Ebensburg. Featuring Jeff Long on guitar and vocals, Luke Caroff on guitar and backing vocals, Brenton Hildebrand on bass, Mason Whinnie on drumsand lead guitarist Cameron Long; Juke Left blends original rock with mostly ‘90s cover material.

Support live music this weekend! And if you plan to celebrate heavily while doing so, please designate a driver or call a cab!

Here is a full listing for live music on area stages this weekend and the coming week:

FRIDAY NIGHT:

Randy Jackson, Stephen Johnopolos and Joe Carlin at Raphael’s Steakhouse, Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)

A.X.E. at Underdogs, Bellwood

Honah Lee, Revenge Memorial and Xs for Eyes at Aldo’s, Altoona

kBand at Ramada Cosmopolitan Lounge, Altoona

Full Kilt at Unter Uns, Altoona

Locked and Loaded at Bavarian Hall, Altoona

The Bob & Bob Band at Heidelberg Club, Altoona (9 p.m., members and guests)

NailDriver and Assault Method at Old Canal Inn, Hollidaysburg

Juke Left at Yesterday’s Party, Ebensburg

Felix & the Hurricanes at Ebensburg Legion, Ebensburg

Jack and the Country Gentlemen at Thirsty Dawg Taverne, Patton

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Randy Jackson, Stephen Johnopolos and Joe Carlin at Raphael’s Steakhouse, Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)

Heroes & Hooligans at Aldo’s, Altoona

Ozone Rangers and Left For Dead at Pellegrine’s, Altoona

Emily’s Toybox at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona

Chris Vipond & the Stanley Street Band at Belmar Hotel, Altoona

The House Band at Shaw’s Bar, Altoona

The Runaways at Heidelberg Club, Altoona

The Conniptions at Newburg Firehall, Altoona

KB & the Crew at Schellsburg VFW, Schellsburg

Punk Fiction at Mug Shotz, Gallitzin

hotdamn at Magoo’s, Cresson

Acoustic Stew at Hastings Moose, Hastings (7 p.m.)

Giants Of Science at Yesterday’s Party, Ebensburg

Bodacious B at Mad Hatters, St. Boniface

Limited Slip at City Hotel, Northern Cambria

Fuse at Our Place, Colver

SUNDAY NIGHT:

Felix & the Hurricanes at Shaw’s Bar, Altoona

Ty & Pletcher at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (upstairs)

TUESDAY NIGHT:

Open Mic Night at the Ramada Cosmopolitan Lounge, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)

Ty Ayers (acoustic) at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:

The Country Gentlemen at Clair’s Ashville Inn, Ashville (starts 6 p.m.)

“Battle of the Acoustics” (Round 4) at City Hotel, Northern Cambria (starts 7 p.m.)

Wertz & Pletcher at 4D’s Lounge (upstairs), Altoona

Open Mic/Jam Night at Pellegrine’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Open Mic/Jam Night at Mug Shots, Gallitzin (starts 8 p.m.)

THURSDAY NIGHT:

AnEmergencyScene Presents: Hostage Calm, Misser, Post Season, Eyes Wide, Apollocreed and Eulogy Jones at Archway Center, Altoona (starts 5 p.m., all ages)

Steve Summerhill at Jethro’s, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)

Craig Fitzpatrick at Thirsty Dawg Taverne, Patton