The Heavenly States Descend on Libya

The Heavenly States Descend on Libya

Oaklanders to rock Libya's casbah: Aidin Vaziri | Bono may sermonize about reaching out to Third World countries, but the Heavenly States are actually doing something about it. Still recovering from Thursday night's show at Bottom of the Hill, the members of the Oakland indie trio are boarding a plane today to make history as the first American rock band ever to tour Libya. They arrive in the North African nation with a troubled past Saturday for the first of four shows, a tsunami relief concert in the capital city of Tripoli. Between the organized sets, the Heavenly States -- signed to Australian label Baria -- plan to take their jangly postpunk melodies, maudlin lyrics and upside-down-guitar-playing skills to the streets, hoping to clinch the trip with an outdoor show at the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna. "What's more rock than to take it where it doesn't belong?" asks Ted Nesseth, the band's lead singer and guitar player.