Phil Stendek is back in town after living nine lives in Vegas over the last decade. He’ll bring his solo act to Cicero’s this Sunday night.

Stendek is best known in these parts as the guitarist and front man for the band Celery, which had a pretty good run here in the 1990s. Celery brought back their mix of punk, grunge and ska recently for a few reunion shows.

Currently, though, the Maplewood rocker is focusing on his live looping gig, where he creates a full band sound all by his lonesome onstage. The process? Stendek takes a guitar, drum set, keyboards, turntables and a mic, runs them into a ‘loop station’ and creates songs. I think you have to be there to fully understand it.

While he enjoyed his time in Vegas – probably too much at times — Stendek said he was happy to get out when he did. His solo act and DJ skillz landed him a gig on the top floor club at Mandalay Bay at one point.

“It allowed me to move into my own place, get some greyhounds and a motorcycle — but I also started drinking again,” he said, adding that he has matured through his experiences. “Music is my inspiration. I feel I have found my niche and am enjoying playing more. Before, shows were just kind of good. This time, I’m all business. I play my ass off with less joking around.”

He may no longer stop everything in mid-song if things aren’t going well (which was funny in itself), but here’s hoping Stendek continues to share some of his well-known humor between songs.

Phil Stendek with Kentucky Knife Fight, Casey Reid and Old Lights

8 pm Sunday, Cicero’s

http://www.myspace.com/stendek