Friday, November 30, 2007

Rocky Votolato At Porter's Pub

I still haven't gotten to properly write about Sunday, so clearly I'm a little behind with posting. I'm heading down to the Casbah now, but in the meantime, here's some video from Rocky's solo performance last night at Porter's Pub.

Rocky Votolato, "Before You Were Born"

The Fishtank Ensemble- tonight at Dizzy's

I'll post later about last night...and tonight I'll be at an art opening, a wine party and The Casbah, but in case you feel like doing something a little different- something a little gypsy, something a little Eastern European- check out the Fishtank Ensemble at Dizzy's (in the San Diego Wine and Culinary Center.

This is video from the Roots Festival earlier this spring.

Things To Do In San Diego: November 30, 2007

Sorry for the mis-post. December Nights (Christmas on the Prado) isn't until next weekend. Which is good since it's pouring outside today. Be safe on the oil slicked roads, kiddies.

Friday, November 30, 2007:

  • The White Buffalo, The Blackout Party, Swedish Models, Hotel Saint George @ Casbah
  • Secret Apollo, Beta Lion @ Ken Club
  • Charles Curtis, Preston Swirnoff, Hing @ Habitat House 1008 21st, Golden Hill
  • The Oohlas, Oslo @ Beauty Bar
  • 60 Watt Kid, Little Teeth, Fantastic Magic @ Tower Bar
  • The Fishtank Ensemble @ Dizzy's (San Diego WIne & Culinary Center)
  • John Butler Trio, Brett Dennen @ 4th & B
  • Dave The Butcher, Royal Campaign, Westwind Boys @ Scolari's
  • Repeater @ U-31
  • Larry And His Flask, Desert Diamonds, The Drowning Men, A Bande Apart @ Zombie Lounge
  • Dr.Know w/ The Resentments, The Lugers, Blood Stained Reality, Neverland Ranch Hands @ Brick By Brick
  • As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, Haste The Day, Through The Eyes Of The Dead @ Soma
  • Crash Encore, The Mojave, Soft.Lightes, The Vision of A Dying World @ Epicentre
  • Jenn Grinels, Molly Jensen, Saba, Kelly McGrath @ Lestat's
  • Kindle To Ember @ O'Connell's
  • Stranger @ Winston's
  • BOOGIE NIGHTS 80’s FEVER! Metro, Final Warning and DJ Eddie Money @ Belly Up
  • Audible Mainframe, Vokab Kompany @ 710 Beach Club
  • Wild Child (Doors Tribute), Roundabout (Yes Tribute) @ House of Blues
  • Oleta Adams @ Anthology

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Things To Do In San Diego: November 28, 2007

I was supposed to have a show every night this week, but the last two days didn't work out as planned. So, tonight, I will attempt to make up for it with three show evening. Can it be done on a Thursday? I guess you'll have to find out tomorrow...

Thursday, November 29, 2007:

  • Rocky Votolato (9:40), Chris & Thomas, The Midwinters (8pm), @ Porter's Pub (UCSD, 8pm)
  • Run Run Run, The Royal Campaign, O'er Night @ San Diego Sports Club
  • Los Esmiths, bez @ Ken Club
  • Aimee Mann's 2nd Annual Christmas Show with Grant Lee Phillips, Joe Henry, Paul F Tompkins and Morgan Murphy @ Belly Up
  • Cover Me Badd's Musical Pursuit trivia, live Name-That-Tune with Billy Midnight, spelling bee quarterfinals @ Whistle Stop
  • 8mm: Fall of Snow, Wendy Darling @ Beauty Bar
  • Crash Anthem, Scarlet Haze, Kurt Vatland, Sixth Day @ Brick By Brick
  • Straylight Run, The Casting Out, The Color Fred @ Epicentre
  • "Indie By Design" feat Society, Pavla Nova, Danielle LoPresti and the Masses, Social Green, Kerry Michael Warren @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
  • 25talife, Dying Wish, Lewd Acts @ Zombie Lounge
  • Don Caballero, From Monument to Masses @ Casbah
  • Cake's Unlimited Sunshine Festival with Detroit Cobras, Oakley Hall, Agent Ribbons, and King City @ 4th & B
  • Dawn Mitschele, Alyssa Jacey, Melanie @ Lestat's
  • Mower, DieCast, Ekotren, and Six Reasons @ Cane's
  • Fred Benedetti, George Svoboda @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
  • BLVD @ Winston's
  • Drop Dead Gorgeous, Alesana, The Number 12, Looks Like You, Idiot Pilot, The 25th Hour @ Soma
  • Tim & The 23's @ 710 Beach Club

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Metro Station, Motion City Soundtrack, etc.

Update: I have a winner for these tickets. Thanks to everyone for playing...

Motion City Soundtrack are playing at Soma on this Saturday with Mae, Anberlin, and up-and-comers Metro Station who are being compared to Boys Like Girls. Check out their MySpace here. While maybe a deviation from the music I normally hype here, I've still got a pair of tickets to give away to the first person who can name the four boys in the band.

Email your name and phone number to divebarchick AT gmail DOT com.

Help The Locust

I posted this week about The Locust being victimized by thieves who stole pretty much everything in their van. If you're feeling generous, Three One G Records has set up a donation page. Click here to help the guys out.

Locals Only

My new column is out in today's CityBeat.

I cannot stress enough that I'm always looking for news and new bands to cover in the column. Please send me anything and everything at the address to the right or to localsonly@sdcitybeat.com With the upcoming holidays, all my deadlines are pushed forward, so advanced notification of CD releases, shows, etc. are all appreciated.

Things To Do In San Diego: November 27, 2007

Wednesday, November 28, 2007:

  • The Hedrons, The Sess @ Beauty Bar
  • Daredevil Jane, Roses on Her Grave, Demasiado, The Dirty Kings @ Casbah
  • Lukas Rossi, The Material, Electric Mistress, Opportune Time, Black Cherry @ Brick By Brick
  • ESL Music presents Dust Galaxy with Ursula 1000 and Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation @ Belly Up
  • The Grass Gypsys @ Dublin Square
  • Holiday For Atticus, Destructo Bunny, BlueSpring @ 710 Beach Club
  • G.F.I., Solis, Nuclear Tomorrow, Tore Back, Prosthetic Arms @ O'Connell's
  • Brendan B, M Double A L, Kahlee, Triple Helix @ Winston's

Plug Awards Nominees: The Locust & Mike Halloran

The PLUG Awards are to indie bands what the Grammy's are for sellout cheeseballs who sell a bazillion records to the masses. Wait, does that really work as an analogy? Not really. But anyway, they're annual awards that are kind of a big deal in the indie music world. So yeah, Band of Horses are in pretty much every category ("and the Plug Award for biggest asshole goes to...") but there are some other worthy mentionables, like the National and Arcade Fire who appear to be fighting for the top spot on most lists this year.

San Diego is getting some shout outs, too, so ye shall get yer indie butt over and vote
here.

In the "Punk Album of the Year" category, The Locust are nominated for New Erections.

In the "Best Specialty Show" category, Mike Halloran from FM 94/9 (KBZT) is nominated for FTP (or as we all know it, Fuck Tim Pyles), which, ironically, is sometimes hosted by Tim Pyles.

Anyway, show some local love for the Plugs.

Paste Magazine Top 100 Albums of 2007

Paste has already issued their picks of the 100 top albums of the year. The funny thing is if you don't agree with say, half of the top ten, you immediately dismiss the list, but personally the choices fall pretty close, if not to my own favorite albums of the year, at least to some of my favorite shows of the year.

The top ten:

1. The National - Boxer
2. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
3. Bruce Springsteen - Magic
4. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
5. Feist - The Reminder
6. M.I.A. - Kala
7. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
8. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
9. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
10. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog

For the whole list, click here.

The Pics: SayVinyl, Austin James Band, A Beautiful Noise, Andrea's Birthday

I'm still at the Ken Club and I will post comments about the last two days, but in the meantime, here are the pics...






























































Thursday Night: Run Run Run at San Diego Sports Club


Like I said, after I see Rocky Votolato at UCSD, I'll be at SDSC to see my boys Run Run Run. Guaranteed big light show; definitely no pictures. You have to witness the spectacle for yourself.

Yeah, guess what!? I missed the Iron & Wine show at 4th and B, but I am Iron and I'm drinking Wine, and that has to count for something. And I'm actually at the bar, sitting next to Kittyhead while laptopping and shit. It was actually nice to get home from work (albeit at 8:30) and to have some wine (though the first bottle I opened was spoiled and then I broke the wine opener) and put on my pjs, straighten up the house a bit, then catch a movie OnDemand (even though it was predictable and the ending sucked). Even while I was unemployed I never really found the time to do this.

Oh, and while I was cleaning, I listened to High Mountain Temple which is all kinds of spooky and fits the title exactly. If I was a soccer mom and my 15 year old kid was listening to this, I'd probably send him to therapy, just to make sure he's OK, but as a 31 year old woman, I was just glad that I was listening at an early time in the night or I might've been sicking my dog on any predators in the backyard, totally creeped out and thinking everyone was out to get me. And I actually got to appreciate all the sounds and instrumentation and looping because I was cleaning. The music is actually really cool, but it's definitely mood music if I've ever heard any, and there are definite times to listen to the spacey sounds. Maybe I should try sex to it just to challenge my perspective... :)

Did I mention I'm on free wi-fi at the Ken Club? Aww yeah. Be prepared to see me out with my laptop more often. I just can't do it all without taking it with me. Please don't make fun. Ultimately, I do it for you....

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Concert Hightlights: Califone, Rocky Votolato, Metro Station

I'm a little sad that I missed Jose Gonzalez last night, but I knew there was no way I'd make it to the Belly Up in time. Also sad I missed Travis and Maximo Park, but the venue had more to do with that than anything. Still, I'm actually surprised how many great shows are coming to town at a time when you'd think they'd all be nesting in their respective cities and towns.

I wanted to recommend some bands if you're going out this week.

First, if you're going to see Iron & Wine tonight, DO NOT miss Califone. These guys are from Chicago and they blow me away every time I see them. Their instrumentation is always beautiful and complicated and the vocals have this gritty quality that I always enjoy.

Second, my favorite musician is coming to town again...Rocky Votolato is playing a show on Thursday night at Porter's Pub at UCSD, with locals The Midwinters and Chris & Thomas from LA. I believe the show is free, but even if it's not, it's a good chance for people to see Rocky in a solo set. That show is early, but if you can't make it, my friends Run Run Run are coming down from LA to play the Sports Club with Royal Campaign and O'er Night. If I can pull off a three show Thursday, I'm gonna be there, and finish my evening catching Los Esmiths at the Ken Club.

Last, for the kids, Motion City Soundtrack are playing at Soma on this Saturday with Mae, Anberlin, and up-and-comers Metro Station who are being compared to Boys Like Girls. Check out their MySpace here. While maybe a deviation from the music I normally hype here, I've got a pair of tickets to give away to the first person who can name the four boys in the band. Email your name and phone number to divebarchick AT gmail DOT com.

This, of course, is all in addition to the rest of the great shows this week...like the debut of Hotel St. George on Friday night. It's a very, very good week for music.

Things To Do In San Diego: November 26, 2007

Tuesday, November 27, 2007:

  • Iron & Wine, Califone @ 4th & B
  • The Prez, The ShakeUps, Red Feathers @ Casbah
  • Fast Tuesdays: Neverland Ranch Hands,The Sleeping Beauties, The Bugs @ Scolari's
  • Nathan James, Ben Hernandez @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
  • Peter Bolland, Joe Rathburn @ Milano Coffee Company
  • Curbside, Los Otros @ O'Connell's
  • eDub Poet, Leldon, Triple Stringer @ Winston's

Just a quickie update

I'm working OT every night this week, and also have a show every night this week (if I can survive it all), so I'm not really sure when I'll get the opportunity to post all the pics I'm taking, but things should slow down a bit after this week is over. Still, I'll try and get my pics up from Sunday because SayVinyl, The Austin James Band, and A Beautiful Noise were all great, and I have some fun candids from the Smoking Patio where we were celebrating Andrea's b-day. I also caught The Vision tonight, though I missed The Donkeys and wasn't really feeling the vibe from White Magic, so I'm here catching up on a couple days worth of e-mails. Yikes.

I was talking to Keith from The Vision of A Dying World and he's gonna help out on the site with some local CD reviews. If anyone else is interested in contributing content, please talk to me. I'm definitely open to new ideas and expanding this site to serve more people and to provide content when I can't quite get to it.

xo

Stolen Band Gear: The Locust

Scott posted a little about this but it's really unfortunate how many time I have posted bands getting their stuff stolen, both in town and on tour. This, from SAF records:

Last night, the Locust went to a grocery store in St Louis, MO. Their van was broken into and basically everything they had, laptops, ipods, cash, meds, toiletries, phone chargers, everything was stolen.

Anyone catching them on the remaining tour dates, please help them out however you can, buy some shit, give them some fucking deodorant, or a hug, or something. This sucks so bad...they are the last people who deserve this.

Take care of our boys and help them out.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

A Post For My Family: Johanna pics

Apparently some of my family who are in different parts of the country have some trouble navigating my website, so I thought I'd post the direct link to the latest pics of my niece, Johanna, from this Thanksgiving weekend. Click the picture for the rest of the photo album.

Johanna

Things To Do In San Diego: November 26, 2007

Here are preliminary listings for this week. I'll update when I get a chance with Whistle Stop and Sports Club when they update their sites.

Monday, November 26, 2007: (Happy Birthday, Andrea!)
  • Anti-Monday League feat. White Magic, The Vision Of A Dying World, The Donkeys @ The Casbah
  • Jose Gonzalez, Cass McCombs @ Belly Up
  • Travis, Maximo Park @ House of Blues
  • Kleptik, October Burning, One In The Chamber, Blackened Scripture @ Zombie Lounge
  • Electric Waste Band @ Winston's

Saturday Recap: Apes of Wrath, Swim Party, Roxy Jones @ Tower Bar

I don't really think there is anyone quite as skilled at procrastination as I am. I have work to do, so what do I do? Have a late lunch at Ponce's. Still have work to do, so what do I do? A nap sounds pretty good. I was going to try to make myself stay home to do what I needed to do, but instead, convinced myself that going to the show was actaully work, too, because I was still on the hunt for material for my next CityBeat column. I can really justify anything...

When I arrived to the Tower, Apes of Wrath were already playing and had a large crowd up front, so I just kinda hung back and didn't really plan on taking pics, but toward the end of their set I was able to snap a few. I've seen the band a few times before and have an unmixed demo from them, but I was really surprised that even though they were playing really loud, the vocals were crystal clear. Did Mick upgrade the sound at the bar? I was also glad to get up close because the drummer was really entertaining to watch.




Swim Party played second and I don't think there's any band that I've written about on my site more than Swim Party, so I'll spare the lovefest and just post the pics. And to Alex, I'm really sorry, but I just had to post a pic of the sneakers...Maybe Santa will notice you need some new ones. Or maybe he'll just hook you up with more duct tape. Either way, think of it as me trying to help you...





Last up for the night was Roxy Jones. I like their kinda unpolished sound and they're another of the San Diego bands that is better every time I see them. Plus, their latest CD is really good. Keep an eye out for my CityBeat column this week for some more info on Peter.




Again, I headed back to the Ken after the show where Todd and I played "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" on Tarryn's phone. Sadly, the answer to that question is no. I'm happy to report that the Christmas decorations have been up at the Ken for about a week now, and it's always been my favorite time of year to live near this bar. I also wanted to introduce everyone to Kittyhead.



Kittyhead is a cat that hangs around the neighborhood. She sometimes lays in the street, resulting in several people calling the number on her tag only to be told "Leave her alone. She's an outdoor cat." Well, this just isn't the kind of neighborhood where we leave animals alone, so Kittyhead spends her nights in the Ken Club, sometimes on the bar, sometimes sleeping in one of the booths in the back, sometimes hiding out in the band room. She's sweet but cautious, and she will bite if she wants you to leave her alone. Anyway, she follows me home, but with Pascha and my own three cats, I just can't take her in, even just at night, but I do put some food out for her every once in a while. This is probably a bad idea, however, because last night, it wasn't Kittyhead eating the food, but a baby skunk hopping away from me on the sidewalk. Lesson learned there...Anyway, if you're in Kensington, say hi to Kittyhead and give her some love, just please don't take her out of the hood. After all, she does have an owner, even if he is an asshole.

Friday Recap: Emery Byrd, The Roman Spring, Joanie + Secretaries @ Tower Bar

Could I have had a lazier weekend? Probably not. While I probably should've been doing work, instead I was lounging and eating leftovers and napping and wearing pajamas like they're a uniform. It has been really great. I did, however, motivate and head out by nightfall each night.

Friday night found me at the Tower Bar for Joanie + Secretaries, The Roman Spring, and Emery Byrd. Do I even need to say that it was a fun night? Joanie and the Secretaries started off the night and it was nice to see that a band whose vocals are somewhat gentle can still pull in a full crowd at the Tower Bar, traditionally known for hosting louder more aggressive music. The same was true for Saturday night, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

So Joanie played. She has Ray Suen on guitar and violin, and shares the same drummer from the Ex-Friends, while she rotates on bass, guitar, and keys with someone I didn't know. They sounded really, really great. Joanie's voice can easily go up against any of those indie chicks touted by indie blogger nation.





The Roman Spring were up next. Poor Alex had to wait outside in the cold until it was time for them to play. Every time I see him, there's very clear growth vocally. The band had Ray play with them for a bit, too, which really upped the energy in the room.







Last up was Emery Byrd. I'm really glad these guys are playing around town more frequently because they never disappoint. They're not only polished, but Matt's stage presence, even in the Tower Bar where the band is level with the crowd, would make you believe they're used to playing much larger stages. Or at least that they should be.





After the show ended, I headed back to the Ken Club, but the bands were already done, so I hung out with Todd and Kittyhead until the bar closed, then came home and set up my snowman holiday/winter/christmas menagerie. I still have yet to buy my tree, but at least I've got my snowmen.