Pinback Video: From Nothing To Nowhere

I thought I'd post this for your weekend viewing pleasure. This is "From Nothing To Nowhere" by Pinback, from their latest release "Autumn of the Seraphs".

Finding "Me Time" At The Undercarriage

Even at 31, I still consider myself a bit of a tomboy. I can't walk in heels, I'm not really into mani/pedis, my standard uniform is a t-shirt and jeans, and aside from my trip to San Francisco, I can't remember the last time I set out to go shopping. I'm just not that kinda chick.

When Malinda first asked me to come to her salon for a facial several months back, I have to say I was a little reluctant. In fact, for months we went back and forth making and breaking appointments. The better friends we became, the more weird I thought it would be...nobody needs to see anybody's face that close up. Like, I wouldn't want a friend to be my Ob/Gyn, right? To me, this is just as personal. But, I've got plenty of time on my hands these days and I got over my squeamish feelings and decided to finally take Malinda up on her longstanding offer for a facial.

Holy shit, am I so glad I did.

From the second you walk into The Undercarriage, you know you're in for relaxation. While the day spa specializes in waxing (Malinda is considered an expert at Brazilians), they also offer facials, body treatments, and massages. The services are available for women and for men.




I was greeted by Malinda and her husband Jake, who had stopped by before his night doing sound at the Casbah. We chatted while Malinda readied the room. The space is warm and inviting, with lit candles and antique furniture, giving the feeling that you're in someone's living room. The care and love that went into creating the space is evident in all the details.

Malinda kisses Jake goodbye and leads me into her therapy room. She changes the music from Bright Eyes to Mazzy Star while I remove my clothing and nestle into the warm massage bed with it's high thread cotton sheets and the fuzzy chenille blanket.





Malinda comes into the room to explain what she's gonna do to me... a couple deep cleanses, some steam and warm towels, exfoliation, extractions, and finally some enzymes that I'm to leave on my face for the evening. We chat through some of the treatments and I'm suddenly wondering what took me so long to get in here and let go of myself, even if for just an hour. There's something so amazing about the hands of massage therapists and estheticians; like you feel the spirit of the person laying their hands on you. Malinda is no exception. She washes my face a few times with various cleansers and then we get to the ugly part- extractions. She covers my eyes with moist cotton pads and the light comes on while she goes to town on my "flaws".

After, she puts a warm towel on my face that sets for a while as she massages my arms, my hands, behind my neck and shoulders. During this portion we're quiet, I'm completely relaxed as the slow tambourines of Hope Sandoval play in the background. I'm completely relaxed and could've just as easily fallen asleep there for the night. But alas, all good things come to an end and we wrap things up. I redress as Malinda cleans up and changes the sheets on the bed. She gives me a tour of the space, showing me the other therapy rooms, the bathroom/shower that is available to patrons, and she talks about their plans for growth.

Malinda closes things down and we leave together...she might be totally exhausted from her day of work, but I'm glowing in a relaxed haze.

The facial has lingering effects, even three days later. My face and skin still feel refreshed, even after a day of urban hiking in San Francisco, and mentally I feel cleansed.

If you're considering some "me time", get in touch with the ladies at The Undercarriage. See their ad in CityBeat for a 15% off first time services. Huge thanks to Malinda for taking care of me at a time when I haven't been very good about taking care of myself.

Things To Do In San Diego: October 12-14, 2007

Friday, October 12, 2007:

• Free! Strata In-store @ Lou's 5pm
• Lost Companions International, coho, Immovable Objects, Tropical Depression @ Ken Club
• Rilo Kiley, The Bird and The Bee, Grand Ole Party @ Soma
• A Beautiful Noise, Inigo, Br'er' @ San Diego Sports Club
• Great Glass Elevator, Shenanigans @ Epicentre
• Delta Nove, Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects, Qu'est-ce Que C'est, DJ Gold Cobra @ Belly Up (Benefit for The Keep a Breast Foundation)
• B.B. King, Blind Boys of Alabama @ Open Air Theatre
• Fashion Whore @ Brass Rail (wear your Halloween Costumes, Happy B-day Edgartronic)
• Pink Floyd Laser Show @ Birch North Park Theater
• Pussy Galore feat. The Soft.Lightes @ Whistle Stop
• Captain America and Billy, paper orchestra @ Habitat House
• Sleeping People (CD Release), Kill Me Tomorrow, Max Field's Puppet Show @ Che Cafe
• Team Facelift @ Beauty Bar
• Whiskey Dicks, Behind The Wagon, Telephone & Telegraph @ Zombie Lounge
• Acumen Nation, DJ Scucrack, Cyanotic, Squirrely Arts, DJ Bryan Pollard @ Brick By Brick
• Syndicate, Protokoll, Repeater @ Scolari's
• Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Collective Soul, Emerson @ Cane's
• The Avengers, Pansy Division, The Atoms @ Casbah
• Comedian Louis CK @ Spreckel's
• David Crowder Band, Phil Wickham, The Myriad @ House of Blues
• Joey Harris and The Mentals, Matt The Electrician, Rockfour @ Lestat's
• Barbara Nesbitt, Citizen Band, The Cathryn Beeks Ordeal, Darren Raser, The Grass Gypsies @ Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club
• Blackbirdz, OB3, Climate Crisis, Flesh Lump Eaters @ O'Connell's
• Pink Froyd @ 710 Beach Club
• Psydecar @ Winston's

Saturday, October 13, 2007:

• OB Oktoberfest 10a-8p featuring music by Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, Supa Bad, Troy Dante Inferno @ Newport Avenue, OB
• Polish Festival @ St Maximillian Kolbe Polish Mission, 1735 Grand Ave. P.B. 12-9p
• San Diego Music Foundation Music 101 Panel: The Media and Your Music @ LaFayette Hotel, 1-4 pm, FREE. Panelists Anya Marina, Troy Johnson, Mike Halloran, Mark Balanky, Phil Manning
• Transfer, Roses on Her Grave, Campaign for Realtime @ Ken Club
• Ray @ Night, North Park Gallery Walk (Ray Street & University)
• Hacienda Brothers (CD Release), Bartender's Bible @ Casbah
• The Nuklhedz, Hector's Revenge @ San Diego Sports Club
• Spank Rock DJ's Delvin and Darko @ Beauty Bar
• Between the Buried and Me, Horse the Band, Animosity, The End, Hoedown @ Soma
• The Formaldehydes, The Black Rose Phantoms, The Strikers @ Zombie Lounge
• Playground Slap, John Katchur, Brooklyn @ Lestat's
• Whiskey Dicks, Pleasure Device, Grins Edge @ Alibi
• Elijah Emmanuel @ Winston's (9pm)
• One Nation Under A Groove @ Whistle Stop
• Floater, Aaron Cuandra, Vocoder, Muzzle @ Brick By Brick
• Sword Heaven, Kevin Shields, Poedered Wigs, Foot Village, Hours/Days @ Scolari's
• Dusty Chance & The All Nighters @ Tower Bar
• The Subdudes, Liz Barnez @ Belly Up
• Hugh Gaskins & The G Gtring Daddies @ O'Connell's (early show, 7:30 pm)
• One In The Chamber, Human Shield, The Common Loon @ O'Connell's (9:30)
• 3/5ths Human, Broken View, One Way Ticket, Eden Brooks, Kyle Van B @ Triple Crown
• Starting At Strange, Yesterday's Papers @ 710 Beach Club
• The Cured (Cure Tribute), Radiostar @ Cane's
• Weird Al Yankovic @ House of Blues

Sunday, October 14, 2007:

• Polish Festival @ St Maximillian Kolbe Polish Mission, 1735 Grand Ave. P.B. 12:30-7p
• Free Festa in Little Italy, 10a-6p (entertainment, vendors, art, Free String Cheese!)
• Writer, Swim Party, The Henry Clay People, Mia Valentine @ Zombie Lounge
• Dashboard Confessional, Augustana, John Ralston @ Soma
• Mobius Band (presented by WOXY.com), Lights On, No One Home @ Casbah
• Marcele Khalife @ Birch North Park Theater
• Martin Sexton, Martyn Joseph @ Belly Up
• Paula Nova, Kelly McGrath, Melissa Vaughn @ Lestat's
• Pat Benetar, Neil Giraldo, Maia Sharp @ House of Blues

Festivals Galore this Weekend

I was really lame about posting all the Oktoberfests in San Diego last week, so I'm trying to compensate. Below are 3 great festivals...all with entertainment, vendors, food, and beer gardens that are worth checking out:

OB Oktoberfest:

Saturday 10a-8pm. Two music stages. Brat Trot 5k. Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, Elijah Emmanuel, Johnny Different, Troy Dante Inferno and more. Vendors, food, family entertainment, and a beer garden near the pier.

Polish Festival:

This event is a tribute to our Polish heritage (did you not know I'm half Polish half Mexican?), our pride in being American citizens, and San Diegans. During the festival, there will be performances by the Polish folk dance groups and various bands. We will also have street dancing with live music, delicious Polish food, and imported Polish beer will be served will be served.(looks like they were already drinking some of that beer!) Polish souvenirs, t-shirts, and amber jewelry will be sold during the event.

PLEASE COME JOIN US IN OUR CELEBRATION AND ENCOUNTER TRUE POLISH HOSPITALITY!!!!
Hours:
Saturday, October 13: Noon-10:00 pm
Sunday, October 14: 12:30-7:00 pm
Location:
St. Maximilian Kolbe Roman Catholic Polish Mission
1735 Grand Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109

Little Italy Festa:

Saturday- "Gesso Italiano"- Street chalk murals only, no vendors. 10a-6p
Sunday- Vendors, entertainment, art, food, bocce ball tournament, stickball tourney, and more. 10a-6p

*******

Get your walking shoes on and get out to a weekend festival. As a veteran of street fairs, here are some suggestions for what you might wanna consider taking with you:

Rosey's Street Fair Survival Tips:

• 1 Liter bottle of water (at least)
• Napkins/Kleenex/Baby wipes- We've all had the nightmare of port a potties with no paper... be prepared for crowds and port a potties and unexpected spills and messes
• Purell or other hand sanitizer...most festival food you eat with your hands...the same hands that are touching handles, port a potties, street merch, etc. and there's not always a sink around
• Sunscreen. October is our summer. It may not be August, but the sun will be there and your skin needs to be protected.
• Personally, I'm anti flip flops at a street fair... your black feet and funky toenails are just gross to look at, Dude. But if you must, (and in OB, I guess you must), consider a change of clothes because when the sun drops, so does the weather and nobody likes a whiner at a street fair...first you were complaining about being hot now about being cold. You are a bummer to your friends, so carry your own backpack and be prepared.
• In that same vein, an extra pair of socks feel great after walking around all day.
• Other items you might consider...lotion, trial sized deodorant, a toothbrush...you never know where you might end up...you just might get lucky...if not, you still get stinky and sticky.
• A camera. There's so much to capture! Bring a camera and laugh about the drunk hippie falling down while doing her swirly dance. Then post it on YouTube.

See you in the beer gardens!

Things To Do In San Diego: October 11, 2007

Thursday, October 11, 2007:

• Book release party for Greg Gaerding & Mike Sager feat The Stereotypes (acoustic) @ Whistle Stop
• Swedish Models, demasiado @ House of Blues (Delta Room)
• Red Octopus, Cabron, Iceage Cobra, Gasoline Chicken @ Zombie Lounge
• The Woggles, The Creepy Creeps @ Bar Pink Elephant
• Red Light Rudder, The Howlie Jupiter @ San Diego Sports Club
• Mount Erie, Moools, Red Pony Clock, The Endless Bummer @ Che Cafe
• Perry Farrell's Satellite Party, Mink @ Cane's
• Ultraviolet Live @ Beauty Bar
• Mad Martigan, Aaron Anderson, The Opportune Time @ Brick By Brick
• Polysics, Numbers, Buddy Akai @ Casbah
• Cotton Fever, Unloaded @ Lestat's
• Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Band @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• C.H.I. Club, Modern Day Moonshine @ Winston's
• Jefferson Jay @ Portugalia
• Dark Star Orchestra @ Belly Up
• Captain No. 1, Seamonster, Black Hurricane, Stars After Midnight @ Scolari's

A Day In San Francisco

(The following was written throughout the day in San Francisco. I couldn’t find any free wi-fi and I’m not all sidekicked/blackberried/iPhoned out. I mean c’mon, I just bought my first computer this summer -unless you count the used heap I bought last year. I’m very low tech. But I did still have time to write while I was there.)


Emily The Strange, Berkeley


Amoeba Records, Berkeley, CA


I asked in the store if Band of Horses had played on Tuesday, and the guy told me no, that was just the album release date. Still, I thought it was photo worthy.


Inside the bar at Blake's, Berkeley, CA

(SF, 1pm) So here we are in San Francisco. Actually, I’m writing from the BART on our way from Berkeley to SF. We arrived around 9:30 in the morning. The last time I was up at 6:30 for anything…well, was Monday, but that’s when I was going to sleep after the Gram Rabbit show and afterparty. We hopped on AIRBART to the BART station and took it in to Berkeley. We learned pretty quickly that the scale on the maps we had was a bit more than expected, so we hiked in the rain for a while before we hit our destination.

We wandered down Telegraph, but it was still pretty early so a lot of shops and restaurants were closed, but we settled on Blake’s around 11:30, where I had a “beer burger” with goat cheese and grilled onions with a grass fed patty and my sister had an Architect’s Club that looked just as good. And to wash it all down, a pitcher of Fat Tire Amber. We are on a mini vacation, right?

So now we’re heading to her choice destination…Powell Street in SF, where we’ll shop at Union Square and all that great stuff before we head to the Mission District for some boutique perusing and a dinner before we have to head back on BART to get back on our flight home. The rain has cleared now and it’s actually a little warmer than I expected, though maybe that’s just how it feels after the first two miles we walked.


Not only does the Bay Area have ideal public transportation, but many of the BART stops have free secure bike parking.


Apparently iPod owns the Powell station. Every pillar has an iPod ad, the walls are lined with iPod posters. Seems a little overkill since I would estimate that 60% of commuters on the BART already have one.


Inside the mall. San Francicso, CA.


Outside the Apple Store, after Christy bought the iTouch.

(SF, 5 pm) God, you would think that SF is a more connected city, but I’m having as hard a time finding wi-fi here as I did in Point Loma last week. I should clarify…I cannot find FREE wi-fi here. I am also the suckiest (yes, I’m allowed to say ‘suckiest’) navigator ever. After getting some serious shopping done in the financial district (oh my god, the sales!), I thought, hey- let’s head to the Mission. So we took BART and ended up in a neighborhood that was something like a cross between that street behind the Tower Bar at 2 am and Revolucion in Tijuana, though this was my first time actually walking right through a crack deal. So we killed an hour that way, I guess absorbing the local color that we wouldn’t have otherwise seen. Lacking time and the cojones to find our way on the Muni, we hopped back on BART and are now trying to decide on dinner. Boo on me for being the suckiest navigator. We should’ve come with a plan.


Ferry Landing, San Francisco, CA




A segue tour of San Francisco. There were another 30 guys on segues behind these 3.

(SF 9pm) So I know this sounds like an awful trip, but really it was fun. We went back to the Hyatt we stayed at last year so my sister could tend to her motherly duties (some thing you have to do whether the baby is present or not) so I tried again for wi-fi and nada. So we hopped on the F-trolleys to Fisherman’s Wharf where we settled on an inauthentic and overpriced Irish Pub, but it was compensated by the eye candy who was sitting at the bar. I know everyone says “San Francisco has the best restaurants in the world” but really…unless you tell me the name and how to get there from a BART station, your advice does nothing for me. I spent a lot of time in SF in my college days, but never got a sense of direction. My best friend lived between the Mission and Castro and we’d walk to either hood and hop from bar to bar until they kicked us out. And during her undergrad at Cal, we pretty much went from house party to house party. Even the times I came more as a tourist, I was with my tennis or soccer teams and had no control over how we spent our time so I never paid attention to directions. Maybe that’s a little funny considering how much I pay attention to that kind of stuff in San Diego, but whatever.


F-train back to the BART.

Anyway, it was trolley back to the Hyatt, hop on the BART, only now we were pressed for time. Eeek. I don’t travel much, but if I could count all the times that I’ve been late for or missed a flight, or been responsible for someone else missing a flight…well, let’s just say you don’t want to travel with me. Anyway, it was all good, we still made it to the airport 35 minutes before our flight was supposed to leave and found out it’s delayed about 20 minutes. I’d be posting this from the airport if they didn’t have some exclusivity thing with Sprint…

It was a really cool day, definitely an adventure. I love the diversity up here, and the sights and sounds (though NOT the smells), and I wish SD had such an amazing transportation system. It’s clear that a significantly larger cross section of the residents use public transport and because of it they interact with each other much more (though aren't any more rude or polite than other Californians). I would also guess that Bay Area peeps are more literate in general than San Diegans from all that waiting and reading. My sister and I didn’t even fight once (even after I led her astray and she picked a shoddy restaurant). But all that said, I still wouldn’t trade San Diego for any city in the world, or at least any of the ones I’ve experienced in my life thus far. Now I just look forward to a nice shower, my pajamas, and all the love I’m gonna get from my pets the second I walk in the door. Here comes my plane.

Things To Do In San Diego: October 10, 2007

OK, here's the things to do for the rest of the week. Sorry I lagged on it. I will be in San Francisco on Wednesday, but send me a message if I missed your event or listing.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007:

• Rogue Wave, Port O'Brien, Manuok @ Casbah
• Astra, Giant Mirrors, Wow and Flutter @ San Diego Sports Club
• Secret Apollo's Video Screening Night @ Whistle Stop
• The Icarus Line @ Beauty Bar
• "Bands For Boobs" featuring Tefflon, Citizen Band, Podunk Nowhere, Compass Rose, Barbara Nesbitt @ O'Connell's 7:30 pm. $5 donation to American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Comedians of Comedy feat. Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Maria Bamford @ House of Blues
• Airport 81, Alpha Channel, Trash 80 @ Zombie Lounge
• Streamline, Josh Damigo @ Lestat's
• Dark Star Orchestra @ Belly Up
• Regman, Kahlee, Kidz in the Hall, Heaterville, DJ Fingaz @ Cane's
• Brave Monster @ 710 Beach Club

Reposting Info: News After You've Already Heard It

1. Troy Johnson is leaving CityBeat.
2. Natalie Kardos had her photography featured on Pitchfork Media this week.

So why didn't I post sooner? Well, my feeling, since both Troy and Natalie are close friends of mine, and since both have blogs of their own, that it was their information to post. But, now it's out there for both, and both deserve as much credit and publicity as they can get in their endeavors.


The funny thing I probably haven't mentioned on this blog before is that Troy and I actually met because of my old blog (taken offline in 2006). I had written about meeting him at an event and referred to him as "a tool" and apparently he found my old blog and e-mailed me and was everything but a tool. The next time I saw him at the Casbah, we were introduced and have been friends ever since. I admire Troy for the impact he's had on music in San Diego. Between Troy Johnson, Tim Mays, and Tim Pyles, you'd be hard pressed to find guys doing more to promote this town. Troy is moving on, getting his hands outta the local music scene, but I guarantee you'll still see him out on the town still supporting the music. As music editor of CityBeat, I've loved reading the weekly over the years with his input on what's going on, and it's because of him that I'm now contributing to CityBeat. I couldn't be more proud of my friend.


That sentiment goes for Nat as well. We met from going to shows and mutual friends and her photography, well, it speaks for itself. It's no surprise then, that bands have taken notice as she's shooting more and more bands, and it's also no surprise that Pitchfork would take notice as well. The thing is, Natalie is a scientist by day, and photography has been more of a hobby for her, but I think she's finding her place in both worlds and balances them both well. Natalie will be moving to San Francisco next year, but I know that she'll stay connected to San Diego and covering the music she loves even when she's up in the Bay Area.

I just feel lucky to know both of them and even more so to call them friends. Congrats to both of them.

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Tuesday, October 9, 2007:

• Holly Golightly and The Broke-Offs, The Glossines, Icebirds @ Casbah
• Chris Wilson, Candice Graham Left For Dead @ Belly Up
• Lotus @ Winston's
• Streamline, Josh Damigo @ Lestat's
• Rue, Felch Bastard, Lighning Swords of Death @ Scolari's
• Moderatto @ House of Blues (sidestage)
• The Black Crowes, Buffalo Killers @ House of Blues

Random Stuff

I haven't done newsy bits in a while but there's some stuff I wanted to post that wasn't necessarily column worthy.

First, a couple local bands are offering their albums for free download. Today Cabron releases Mexican Shoe Thief for free download (though it doesn't appear to be posted yet.) From their MySpace blog:

Our 7 song EP Mexican Shoe Thief is going to be released online for free on Oct. 8th (or sometime around there), yeah thats right, for free. Who buys CD's anymore anyway? We've posted 4 new tunes on our myspace page. The songs were recorded live to 2" tape at Audio Design Studio in San Diego, CA and engineered by Dan Maier (Head Wound City, The Plot to Blow Up The Eiffel Tower, Some Girls). Bobrob (guitar) will be doing a limited run of about 500 silk screened wood block 12" covers that we'll sell at shows for about 7 bucks. We'll put a blank disc with a site you can download the tunes from in it along with an insert for lyrics.

Basically people will pay for the art if they come and see us and if people really want we'll mail them. We'll probably put it out on vinyl in the spring after we save enough kola nuts and bottle caps since people seem to actually pay for vinyl. Basically Bob talked to some of his high ranking industry contacts and was told that we wouldn't recoup the cost of making, printing, releasing a 'CD' and that it'd be better just to release that shit ourselves, which is cool with us.

Who needs record labels anyway? It's the same thing punk bands have been doing for the past 30 years. I am talking about bands that go from town to town in a crappy 15 passenger van with a trailer playing dives and making just enough for gas money and a taco bell bean burritos.

The other band, and I might have mentioned this before, is Fono. Their album "Too Broken To Break" is available at their regular website here for free just by filling out some info for their mailing list. Give props...Cindy and I went to junior high and high school together.
*****
Was anybody at home watching Cold Case on Sunday night? I was and was happy to hear two San Diego bands featured in the music. Both songs were played almost in their entirety through two central dramatic scenes. The first was Augustana's "All The Stars & Boulevards" and segued right into Greg Laswell's "Sing, Teresa Says" (which just picked up the SDMA for song of the year.)

It seems that Augustana is also one of those bands people love to hate, because on Monday night's "The Big Bang Theory", a character feels rejected when his hot neighbor is kissing another guy. "You're not gonna start listening to some trite emo songs again are you?" his roommate asks. Cut to scene of the guy in his living room singing Augustana's "Boston"...'you don't know me, you don't even care...you don't know me, and you don't wear my chains' Anyway, I'm just glad those music directors are paying attention to San Diego, even if they are poking fun at times.

No stranger to TV herself, Anya Marina's Miss Halfway is being released this fall in the UK and is already generating buzz, being added to the playlist on Music Week and added on Record of the Day (Oct 3) where they had this to say about "Miss Halfway."

San Diego singer/songwriter Anya Marina has had five songs licensed to Grey's Anatomy, with this track on the show's latest soundtrack. Avatar Records will release her album, Miss Halfway, through Pinnacle in the UK later this month. We like the poppy yet ironic lyrics and the catchy melody about this track. Given the
interest in her work stateside, we're glad that a strong PR and radio plot has
been put in place in the UK.

*****
If you happen to be up late this week, check out Ray Suen on Last Call With Carson Daly. He'll be joinging the Joe Firstman House Band on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
*****
Alrighty...that's all I've got for now. Off to get a facial at The UnderCarriage. Things to Do will be posted later tonight. Guess I better do Tuesday.

BTW, congrats to my Two Gallants ticket winners, Corey S and Michael L. If you didn't win, try again next time, but the show will be well worth the money so you should show up anyway.

Sunday Recap: Gram Rabbit, The Roman Spring

I was writing so long that I lost track of time and all of the sudden realized it was 10:30 so I headed to the Casbah, hoping to catch The Roman Spring. I missed the first band, Sabrosa Purr, but heard the were good (albeit "really loud"). Fortunately I walked in toward the beginning of The Roman Spring's set. This was the best I've ever heard them. The band is always tight, but Alex, the singer, seems to really be coming into his own and owning the songs he sings.


The band hasn't played all that often lately because Jake was doing sound for Louis XIV but he's back now.


Tim is all healed from having his jaw wired shut and could get back to his backup vocals.


I saw Gram Rabbit once last year when they played one of Tim Pyles' Sunday Casbah BBQs and I thought they had great energy. This time, they were just off the charts. From what I remembered from last time, I don't remember such an electronic element to their music, but it totally works for their catchy tunes. Maybe most of San Diego was at Cane's watching two dj's behind turntables, but there was a full on dance party at the Casbah, too, and with a full band, it was much more my speed than Justice ever would've been.



Jesika Von Rabbit has so much appeal on stage, though she's so serious, it's hard to tell if she's enjoying herself. She's really sexy and isn't afraid to be sexy onstage, and it never takes away from her talent. I thought her outfit was something very Shakira, Abraham said maybe more Cher, but her voice kinda falls somewhere between Gwen Stefani and "Groove Is In The Heart" Dee-Lite. For this music it works.











The band played a cover of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and this rabbit came onstage to join the band. The production was fun throughout the show and it seems it could very easily translate to a much larger stage.



Jesika took off her jacket and suddenly all the guys who were at the bar or out smoking came back in to check things out.



Then this girl came onstage, dancing like GiGi from MC Flow, with sparkly dumbells and whatnot.


I don't think it was planned that she would tackle Jesika, but she did, knocking down her keyboard, both of them ending up on the floor, Jesika kicking her off then kicking down several pieces of the drumkit.

The show ended relatively early and Abraham suggested we head to the Cherry Bomb. I hadn't been in a while, but we talked to other people and that was the consensus plan. We got there and assumed everyone else bailed but just before last call, in walks Porter, both Casbah Bens, Monique, Tim, Jake, Melinda, and then all of Gram Rabbit and a couple of their friends. It was a good time for sure, albeit short. When the bar closed, everyone was going to an after party at this girl's house in Golden Hill, so we were on our way. It was definitely an interesting night. I saw stuff that I really shouldn't write about here...kinda like 'what happens in vegas...' and I don't want to violate code but it was a fun time for sure.


This was the neighbor who was kind enough to let me use his bathroom when the one at the party was occupied by multiple people for an extended period of time.


Todd from Gram Rabbit was really cool and we hung outside most of the time with a few other people.


I'm not really sure what time it was, but I took Abraham home then returned to the party and apparently I missed something, but people started acting a little nutso...yelling, crying, shit talking, etc. I didn't stay too much longer after that, but the sun was rising when I finally made it home relishing the night I had. I very much look forward Gram Rabbit coming back to town for more good times. Needless to say, Monday was a chill day at home behind the computer and now it's time to catch some zzz's. Things to Do list will be posted on Tuesday.

German American Societies Oktoberfest

Sunday I was still feeling a bit off, but my family picked me up and we headed to the German American Societies Oktoberfest in El Cajon. Though maybe there is some debate about "the best" Oktoberfest in San Diego, to me there is no question. As long as I can remember, my family would load up and head to La Mesa to get caught in the crowd and get trampled by people carrying weathervanes (seriously, people, why the hell do you need a 5 foot tall metal weathervane with a chicken on top in San Diego?) I even think the first time I ever caught a buzz was in La Mesa, but that was back in the days when the beer was sold by the pitcher (that you got to keep) and my parents' softball teammates would pour me a beer when my parents weren't looking. And then there's the chicken dance...of course. But really, the crowds, the traffic...I just haven't had any desire to go there once we made the decision to start doing El Cajon. There, all you've got is a beer garden. And this year, we didn't even drink any beer, but the atmosphere of goofy San Diegans in chicken hats and liederhosen was still all the fun it always is.

I don't know what this song was called, but the introduction was that "this one day will be even bigger than YMCA". While that may not be true, it kills the chicken dance.

That guy in the chicken hat is the mayor of El Cajon. Imagine Jer in one of those!

And of course, this baby has been everywhere and would actually only cry when the music stopped. We stayed a couple hours but took in the good times, good music, and I got to dance with my niece. Wait...is she flipping me off?

After the fest, I chilled around home for a bit to finish up my column before heading out to the Casbah for what ended up being an amazing night. I'll get to that in a minute.

Friday Recap: The Drowning Men, Republic of Letters, Stripes and Lines

I have been really lame about posting on this blog lately so I will get back to full speed soon. As I mentioned, my Friday found me at the Ken Club to see Stripes and Lines, Republic of Letters, and The Drowning Men. A couple people commented that they were surprised that I was not at the Casbah for "The Fest". There's really no discussion necessary...would I rather walk or drive to a bar? would I rather attend a show where my attendance was noticed or in a room where I was lost in a crowd? would I rather see 5 bands that I've seen at least 5 times each or see two bands I've never seen before along with one I already love? The choice for me was simple.

It was a good night for me, though I guess I expected a larger crowd. I really liked all the bands and am glad I chose to check out some new blood.

Stripes and Lines are from north county, but they've been playing more central shows lately and have a show on October 19 at Winston's with West Indian Girl. My pictures came out really, really bad from the entire night so I'm posting them smallish. I liked the dual vocals (and on a couple songs all four members sang), but I liked the drummer/singer Jeremy...the band would go well with Ryan Ferguson.






After Stripes and Lines, we were enjoying the phenomenon outside that was the "Buffy Sing A Long" line. The movie/performance was at midnight, but the line started forming before 11. When the doors were finally opened, the line was wrapped all the way around the corner. Somebody commented that it was pretty sad...hundreds of people paying $12 to see a showthat they probably all own on DVD while inside local bands were playing for free to just a handful of people. Maybe we're all in the wrong biz.


Republic of Letters played second and I'd like to applaud the soundman because the bands were mixed perfectly. For a while there were some questionable sound guys (including the guy who yelled at a band, telling them he knew how to do his job) but lately the guys have known not only how to mix, but how to mix in that room.

Anyway, Republic of Letters did their thing, and the only thing I can add to all the praise I've given in the past is that Adrian is adding backup vocals to more songs and it really adds to the strength of the songs.






Last up was The Drowning Men. I was instantly a fan of these guys. At times the gravelly voice of Eddie Vedder, sometimes a little bit Boey, maybe throw in some Wolf Parade and Win Butler and put it all in a blender. All that to say they have a dynamic sound and I know we'll be hearing a lot from these guys.







Chad is managing the band and hooked me up with a CD after the show which I've been listening to as much as I can the past couple days. It was a great night for me and I'm glad I made the choice to stay in the hood. I heard the Casbah show was great but sometimes I gotta do my own thing, though I heard I missed my big chance to meet Ken. bummer.

I woke up on Saturday with this aching in my side. It's still there, bumming me out, and Jason thinks it might be appendicitis but I'm not really sure. I don't have healthcare right now, so I'm just kinda weathering the pain and will deal with it if it intensifies, but Saturday it was pretty strong, so I skipped Karlfest and everything else that day and watched movies at home. I watched Sleepless in Seattle for the first time all the way through, watched Accepted (and was happy to see the performance on it by The Ringers) and some other random shit. Kiss that Saturday goodbye and consider it wasted...

FM 94/9 Anniversary Bash feat. The Hives, Feist, VHS or Beta

Truth be told, if this show was at the Casbah, I would be all over it, but at 4th & B, it's a little hard for me to get excited about anything. The other thing is that for whatever reason, this poster is in several different parts, so I'm reposting it as a courtesy to my readers (especially the guy who asked me about Feist tickets)but if they decided to break it up in pieces, better for me because I don't have to post the sponsors.

In case there are issues with the flyer, November 10 is the FM 94/9 5th Anniversary show at 4th & B, featuring The Hives, Feist, and VHS or Beta. Tickets are onsale on Friday at 10 am. I am very interested in finding out how ticket sales are handled. Will they be a $20 flat charge as the station often does or does LiveNation win and get to add $7 for service, $3 for convenience, $2.50 for facility charges, and $4 for shipping?