Nightbeats: The Expendables kick off national tour in Petaluma

GUITAR HERO IS EXPENDABLE - The Expendables are more than just a band you'll find while getting into a heated Guitar Hero tournament with friends. Forget hitting the right buttons during “Sacrifice” to advance to the next level and, instead of pretending to be a part of a “world tour,” go see a tour.

Just in time to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the band's 2007 self-titled album, The Expendables are back on the road for a nationwide tour kicking off at Petaluma's own Mystic Theatre. The California band first came together more than 20 years ago, released six studio albums and have toured with notable acts like 311, Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish.

While the Mystic lists the concert as a “reggae show,” the band's tunes are much more than that. The Expendables play tunes that offer just the right mix of ska, punk rock and even surf rock, as the band's Santa Cruz roots shine through.

Though the tour poster promises to play the self-titled album in its entirety, you can also expect a few fan favorites, too. With so many album releases over the years, it's hard to say which tunes the band will choose but it's safe to say that newer tunes about falling in love off the band's last album “Sand in the Sky” (like “That Spark” or older punk rock anthems like “Set Me Off” from an older album, “Gettin' Filthy,”) are both good bets. The night should be a perfect soundtrack for a good time regardless of which songs the group plays.

Pro Tip: If you just started listening to The Expendables, you should probably listen to “Bowl for Two” before the show. It's a cult classic, and chances are you probably heard it blasting from a few cars on Jan. 1 - as more than a few revelers were out celebrating the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, Mystic Theatre, 23 Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma. $23-$65; www.mystictheatre.com

THEY PUT A SPELL ON YOU - With all the recent summer festival announcements, it's easy to be wistful for a sunny adventure under the sun while listening to your favorite bands. While there's really no way to control the weather, why not pretend you're hanging at a festival by catching The Stone Foxes, who've played festivals such as Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park or New Orleans' legendary Halloween fest, Voodoo.

Formed in the early 2000s while brothers Shannon and Spence Koehler attended San Francisco State University, The Stone Foxes have come a long way since the group's college days. The San Fransisco rock ‘n' rollers hit Terrapin Crossroads for a night full of music that falls somewhere between blues, classic rock and garage tunes. A quick listen to the band's 2015 album “Twelve Spells” may just draw you in and put a spell on you.

Channeling mind-blowing artists like The Doors and Led Zeppelin with a twist of modern inspiration like, say, The Black keys, the band sounds both like a pleasant blast from the past and a sound you'll remember for years to come. Dance anthems like “Stomp” might move you to stomp to enchanting rhythmic beats, while head-banger tunes like “Young Man” are bound to have you shake your head along to the music.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, Terrapin Crossroads, 100 Yacht Club Drive, San Rafael. $15-$20; thestonefoxes.com

ARE YOU IN THE ZONE? - She was the model and fashion designer who worked with the Bay Area hip-hop group The White Girl Mob, with rappers Kreayshawn and V-Nasty.

Still having trouble remembering Lil Debbie? Think back to Kreayshawn's “Gucci Gucci” - you know the song that calls designer clothes like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada basic and played nearly all over the Bay Area in 2011?

Well, Lil Debbie's cameo in that video isn't all you should remember her for. She also makes her own tunes. Her album “OG In My System” features catchy yet impressive rap numbers like “In My Zone” and “Gimmie That,” all worth a listen.

Details: 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, Remy's Bar & Grill, 130 Stony Point Road. $10; remys-bar-grill.cafes-usa.com

Help us keep the beat. Write Estefany at nightbeats@pressdemocrat.com