Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band w/ The Heavy Guilt @ Belly Up- 08.25.11



One of the great things about music is its ability to constantly surprise you- a band you've never heard of playing as an opening act and blowing you away. Established acts reaffirming why you first got into them in the sort of way that makes your hair stand on end. Classic sounds that unexpectedly find a revitalization. New sounds that break compositional 'rules' to amazing effect. It is because of this capability in music that people keep an open mind to something new, come back again and again and are constantly looking for the next big thing.

When you think of up and coming acts, one of the stereotypical examples that comes to mind would be an assortment of late- 20/ early- 30 year old musicians who, through the combination of a couple of albums and relentless touring (be it local or nationwide) finally get their break. San Diego- based The Heavy Guilt is a good instance of this model and last Thursday night was a solid indication that they have arrived. Playing in benefit of their recently released sophomore album In The Blood, the six piece started the night off with a high energy set of their folksy/ jammy/ indie rock/ psych Americana (I'm pretty sure that's how it's classified). Led through their paces by lead singer/ guitarist Erik Canzona, the band's music is fleshed out courtesy of the outstanding guitar work of Sean Martin and the soul-influenced keyboard work of Josh Rice while Jason Littlefield (upright and electric bass) and the kit work of Jenny Merullo keep everything tight. Alfred Howard (also the band's main lyricist) sits near the front of the stage with an eclectic collection of objects-as-instruments which vary from sheet metal to antique bells to saw blades. He combines it all with his relentless energy to keep things interesting throughout the show. In a live setting, their sound isn't quite as jam-y as on the album (which is more in the vein of Widespread Panic, down to Erik's vocals sounding very John Bell-ish) but has much more depth than the studio recordings. At the start of their set, the crowd consisted of a healthy mixture of fans, friends and those who were looking to get a good spot for the headliner. As the floor gradually filled in, The Heavy Guilt's full-length set came to a close and the band cleared the stage for the main act.

Inasmuch as The Heavy Guilt was a classic example of how an up-and-coming band makes their mark, Charles Bradley took a far different path to the spotlight. His story is well documented and, courtesy of unfortunate circumstances, frustration and tragedy, is the driving force behind his songwriting. The 62- year old 'Screaming Eagle of Soul' released his debut album No Time For Dreaming early this year to much critical acclaim, but the true value and appreciation for Mr. Bradley can only be found in a live setting. The Menahan Street Band, a Brooklyn-based quintet of musicians including a horn section, guitar, drums and bass, accompanies Mr. Bradley with their near seamless sound (possibly lacking only the female backing vocals as heard on the album) and provides the perfect amount of James Brown/ Otis Redding- era soul. Possibly the most striking element of the show is the visual emotion that Mr. Bradley pours into his performance . He clearly has a depth of understanding and an appreciation for how long it took him to get where he is today and is not going to let a moment of it pass without recognizing it as something special- a lifelong dream realized. His emotion is not lost on the crowd either- late in the show, he punctuated the between-song breaks with exclamations of love for all in attendance and his desire to give everyone a hug. Where this would be a nice sentiment lacking in any action in most other cases, at the end of the set Mr. Bradley eased himself off the front of the stage and made his way through the crowd, embracing all takers with genuine appreciation. There was no question that it was reciprocated in spades.
























For more pix from the evening click here and the rest of my concert photography click here.
_______________________
All images copyright © Nate Vandermeulen, All Rights Reserved.
Please ask for permission before downloading or linking to them.


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Friday: IDentity Festival @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre

Awesome Fest isn't the only major event rolling into town for Labor Day weekend. IDentity Fest is coming to Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre this Friday, September 2, and is certainly going to result in a stream of "EPIC!!" tweets. Focused on EDM and DJ culture, the festival comes at a time when Deadmau5 and Girl Talk and Electric Daisy Carnival are outselling traditional live music events. It's a world I don't live in, but I just might have to explore to see what it's all about.

Featured performers include The Crystal Method, Holy Ghost, Hercules and Love Affair, afrobeta, Nero, Pretty Lights, Kaskade, Afrojack, Booka Shade, Steve Aoki and more.



Tickets are available here and range in price from $40 (general admission) to $100 (pit access). The event runs from 1-11pm.

Be sure to check the list of prohibited items and take note of the following Items PERMITTED at IDENTITY:
  • Snack food in clear plastic gallon-size bag or 6-pack size soft-sided cooler
  • Factory sealed plastic bottle of water (20 oz. maximum and limited to one per person)
  • Empty re-usable water bottle
  • Non-professional cameras
  • LED gloves
  • Glowsticks
  • Hula hoops
  • Factory sealed pack of cigarettes
Where does one find LED gloves these days?

Awesome Fest Five: Keep It Awesome, Keep It Fast


Awesome Fest/Fast is back for it's fifth year (third year in San Diego). For what started as a relatively small event, the Fest has turned into a force to be reckoned with, now occupying four of San Diego's main venues for three days/nights with wristband-only access to see the best of underground punk, garage, and shit too cool to have a genre. These are bands you'll find on the pages of Razorcake; Pitchfork- not so much. Organizers limited ticket sales to 400, and they're close to sold out, with NO passes available onsite. Once you miss preregistration, you're out.

Awesome Fest attracts bands and fans from around the country. This year's bands include Shark Pants, Muhammad Ali, Be My Doppelganger, Toys That Kill, Madison Bloodbath, Soviettes, David Dondero, Rumspringer and more. The DIY ethos keeps the event growing year after year. "At AwesomeFest, there are no corporate sponsors or no direct dealings with any managers. All bands playing have been personally asked by one of the organizers." Like last year, night shows happen on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Soda Bar and Eleven, while afternoon shows are on Saturday and Sunday at The Office and U-31. Additionally, they've added a pre-fest shows on Thursday at Soda Bar and Eleven, a lawn party on Saturday, and a foos ball tournament at Luigi's on Sunday.

Organizers encourage attendees to have fun while respecting the hotel and venues that host them, while the bars are staffed up and ready for some heavy drinking. A bartender told me, "last year we ordered a pallet of PBR. That's 100 cases, 12 tall cans per case. We ran out by Saturday afternoon. It is easily our biggest weekend of the year."

All the information you need can be found here.
Passes
Bands
Schedule

Update: I just got off the phone with Davey and there are less than 10 passes left. Buy them now, or try the message board. Pre-Awesome shows are $7 each or $10 for both, but there will be no paid admissions allowed at any of the venues during Fest. You must have an event wristband to get into any of the shows.

Things To Do In San Diego: August 30-31, 2011

I had the exact Monday I needed. I got a ton of work done after being a whimpering mess, more or less, for the past five days. I did all of my laundry, I cleaned my apartment, I caught up on most of the correspondence I needed to tend to, and I had a stellar afternoon hanging out with Jake then hitting Soda Bar for happy hour, Eleven for their glorious food truck, and then back to Soda for a fun show. Then I came home, caught up on Chelsea Lately, some other smut TV (yes, Jersey Shore), and caught the rerun of Crave. I did a twitter search and the comments on the show were about 98% positive for my friend Troy, though I can't believe he didn't hit up Blind Lady for his pizza episode (tsk, tsk). Kiwi, my eldest and last remaining cat, curled up on my lap all the while and I think she was telling me that it always gets better, so here's to a great week of beautiful weather, great music, and hopefully hanging out with people that make me smile.

Tuesday August 30, 2011:
  • Tiki Tuesday feat. Little Hurricane @ Bar Pink
  • So Say We All & Sideshow Comedy Present: One Hour with Kyle Ray @ Soda Bar
  • BFD Comedy Show w/ Lauren O'Brien, Rob Deez, Russell Hicks, Sam Wiles, Joe E, Jesse Egan, The San Diego Poetry Voltron @ Belly Up
  • The Squirming Coils @ Winston's
  • Wyatt, Bully, Patrick Norton @ Tin Can
  • Jimi Blaze @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • Bilal @ Anthology
  • Local Brews Local Grooves w/ Christy Bruneau, Scott West, Heavy Glow @ House of Blues
  • Darkwave Garden @ Club Kadan
  • Tori Roze Presents: Ruby Tuesday w/ Red Abbey, Gabrielle Wortman, Mira Parfitt @ Ruby Room
  • Marlowe Tolentino & Edward Palma (of Unrighteous Babylon), Jerry Olea and the 805 Drifters, Bad Craziness @ The Stage
  • 52nd Street @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
  • Trent Hancock @ Tiki House
  • Steph Johnson @ Croce's
  • Train of Thought @ Queen Bee's
  • Comedy Night @ Lestat's
  • Bayou Brothers @ Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
  • Tomcat Courtney @ La Gran Tapa
  • Tommy Price & The Stilettos @ Henry's Pub
  • Doug Allen @ The Kraken
  • 2 Guys Will Move U @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
  • The Buckleys @ Valley View Casino
  • Johnny Tarr @ Davina's Cago Grill
  • Friends Chill @ Whistle Stop
  • Karaoke @ Kensington Club
  • Stress Free Standup Comedy @ U-31
  • The Goods @ Hennessey's Carlsbad
Wednesday August 31, 2011:
  • Nicey Nice World, Illuminauts, Riververb @ Casbah
  • Ian Taylor and the Guilty Party, Davey Quinn, Noel Jordan @ Tin Can
  • Commune Wednesday w/ Hotel St. George, So Many Wizards, DJ Keithxsn @ Whistle Stop
  • Mouthbreathers, Lunar Maps @ Bar Pink
  • Allie Moss, Bess Rogers, Ian Axel @ Lestat's
  • Bushwalla, Rafter, Gravity feat. Richie Aldente @ Belly Up
  • Purity Ring, White Apple Tree, Kuhrye-oo- @ Soda Bar
  • Bring Me The Horizon, guests @ House of Blues
  • Mystique Element of Soul @ Handlery Hotel (poolside 5 pm)
  • Roy Rapid and The Rythm Trio @ Riviera Supper Club
  • Cannon Fire @ Brick By Brick
  • Karaoke @ The Griffin
  • Live Band Karaoke feat. Rock Out Karaoke of Blues
  • The Bus Stop and Dub Dorado Present: Hip Hop vs Dubstep @ El Dorado
  • Ellis (acoustic) @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • Benefit Concert for Angel O'Brien @ Anthology
  • Comedy Night @ Eleven
  • Bill Magee @ Humphreys Backstage Live
  • Cogito, Eclipse 79, Lands On Fire, Bangladesh @ Ruby Room
  • Stoney B. Blues amp Pub
  • Wreck Shop Wednesday w/ BoomSnap, Legacy Pack, BJ Jezbera, Vinnie & Skinny, The Clean Plate Club @ The Office
  • Sue Palmer @ Croce's
  • Frankie Dee and The Funk Natra Band@ The Kraken
  • Gilbert Castellanos w/ The New Latin Jazz Quintet @ El Camino
  • Wednesday Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
  • Club Kingston w/ Quino, DJ Carlos Culture
  • Taryn Donath @ Marble Room
  • Battle of the Bands @ Coyote Bar & Grill
  • Evolution @ Club Kadan
  • Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Gallagher's
  • L.E.D. Presents: Designer Drugs, No Body @ Voyeur (18+)
  • Jeff Bristol @ Davina's Cabo Grill
  • Firehouse Swing Night @ Queen Bee's
  • Karaoke @ Chico Club
  • Laguna @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
  • Rebecca Jade @ The V Lounge Viejas Casino
  • Califarians @ Typhoon Saloon
  • Inspired Flight @ The Saloon (Encinitas)

Monday, August 29, 2011

Blind Pilot stream "We Are The Tide"

I love this time of year. Tons of new music, tons of great tours. Blind Pilot are about to release their latest, We Are The Tide, and you can hear the full thing for the next two weeks on NPR.

Stream the full album or hear each track individually on NPR here.

Here's the band (with really low light) performing "Just One" last year at the Casbah.



You can catch the band on October 2 at the Belly Up. Grab your tickets here. Also be sure to check out their site for some really cool pre-order options for their record.

Blitzen Trapper stream American Goldwing

Blitzen Trapper are back with another outstanding record in American Goldwing. When your album is simultaneously previewed by KCRW, Paste, and Drowned In Sound, you probably have a pretty good publicist, but even more important, you certainly have a gem of a record. Personally, I've loved these guys since their first Casbah show and since they skipped us a couple tours, I'm looking forward to seeing them back in town at the Belly Up when they co-headline with Dawes on October 9. You can buy tickets here.



Newsy Bits: @T_R0Y, @LilHurry, @WavvesWavves, @gopband, @JoshDamigo & more

Today is an email cleanout day, so I'm gonna post some random stuff. Some of it is old news, some of it really old news, but in case you hadn't heard....

Troy Johnson has a new TV show! His Food Network series, Crave, makes its debut tonight at 8:30 pm. David Moye wrote about it for HuffPo here and you can see Troy's first blog for the network here. Check out the video that landed Troy the gig.

After playing SXSW and Lollapalooza and winning Album of The Year and Best Alternative Album at the San Diego Music Awards, Little Hurricane will be playing at this year's Austin City Limits, return to San Diego for the San Diego Music Thing, and then hit the road as tour support for Manchester Orchestra. The duo is playing a not-so-secret free show on Tuesday night (21+) in San Diego. I'm not supposed to tell you until tomorrow, so check back in the morning.

Last week (and as already reported in CityBeat), San Diego's Grand Ole Party announced they would be releasing their sophomore album, Under Our Skin. According to the press release, "In early 2009, the band went in the studio with producer Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Gnarls Barkley) and recorded a new record - finished in July 2009." By August of that year they broke up, JP was off working on stuff with The Hot Moon and later with releasing solo work as Vegetarian Werewolf and Kristin, as Dee Dee, blew up all over the blogosphere with the Dum Dum Girls. The band is still broken up, but the full record comes out tomorrow. Grab a free download of the single, 'All Night' below.











And, not to be outdone, Wavves was chosen by MTV to serve as guest composer for their new scripted series, "I Just Want My Pants Back" under the music supervision of Nic Harcourt. The show premiered last night after the Video Music Awards and featured Wavves' "I Want To Meet Dave Grohl". Music from the episode, which also featured Pepper Rabbit, Saint Motel and more, can be downloaded here.

Last week, my friend Sal Filipelli's home was burglarized and all of his gear was stolen, including 3 guitars, a bass, two computers, two recording microphones, a car stereo, piano tuning tools, and an ipod. You can see photos of all of the equipment here if you have any information or see anything shady while you're perusing craig's list, hit him up on Facebook.

And while I'm speaking of burglary, Josh Damigo was hit for the 4th time. His San Diego apartment was broken into twice before he relocated to LA, and now his car has been hit for the second time (while parked in secured parking). People suck. But forget the burglaries, why don't you just prove that most people don't suck, and help with his next record and donate generously to his Kickstarter campaign?

Back to the inbox. It seriously feels like it never ends...

Things To Do In San Diego: August 29, 2011

Is stand up comedy the new indie rock? I'm just wondering because I've noticed the number of comedy nights in San Diego multiply and when I happened upon the open mic at Eleven during the Drink About, the place was crowded. Granted, the majority of the crowd were on the list to perform, but still. There were plenty of drunken hecklers, too, so if you're thinking about testing out the mic, you better make sure your 5 minutes are tight. There's plenty of comedy this week to add to all the musical offerings, and after I spent most of the weekend bunkered up licking my wounds, I think I'll get out and enjoy a little bit of all of it.

Monday August 29, 2011:
  • Anti-Monday League/Staring At The Sun Volume 9 Release Party: Neon Cough, Death On Mars, The Very, Scott Mathiasen, SO3 @ Casbah (FREE!!)
  • White Mystery, Dreamboat, The Old In Out @ Soda Bar
  • Dirty Mondays w/ DJ Gabe Vega @ The Saloon (Encinitas)
  • April Ventura @ Riviera Supper Club
  • SD Pyrate Punx Present: Oddball, Future Defiance, Krapsm @ Ruby Room
  • L.E.D. Presents: Porter Robinson, Deth Hertz @ Voyeur (18+)
  • Chet Cannon @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
  • Mellow Mondays w/ DJ Mello D @ House of Blues
  • Comedy Night feat KT Tatara @ The Griffin
  • Open Mic @ Lestat's
  • The Accidentals @ Tiki House
  • Off The Clock Industry Night @ Henry's Pub
  • Doug Allen @ The Kraken
  • Lady Dottie & The Diamonds @ Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
  • Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
  • Monday Night Mic @ Club Kadan
  • Dave Scott & Monsoon Jazz @ Croce's
  • Karaoke @ Coyote Bar & Grill
  • Glen Smith @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill

San Diego Music Thing- SD:Dialed In Presents at Soda Bar - 9.10.11

The San Diego Music Thing is back! Not sounding familiar? Well it was "North Park Music Thing" last year and "North By North Park" the year before that, but hopefully this is the final name change of the event that has grown to be one of my favorite music weekends of the year. Taking place on September 9-10, 2011, the two day event continues to grow and I'm personally excited for this year's panels and showcases. You can see all the details on the events and panels here.



Once again, I'm happy that san diego: dialed in is participating in the event with a showcase on Saturday, September 10, at Soda Bar. After a couple lineup shuffles, I'm so happy to share some of my favorite bands and performers with you.

In order of appearance:

Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels

Brett Detar (The Juliana Theory)

The Heavy Guilt

Strange Vine

Inspired Flight

Sunday, August 28, 2011

ICEAGE, CULT OF YOUTH, ALE MANIA, SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY, TROPICAL POPSICLE AT CASBAH SAN DIEGO 7.22.11 PRESENTED BY VOLAR RECORDS





I headed over to catch a ride with Chase and Kyle of openers Tropical Popsicle, we showed up to much delight of Iceage sound checking and sounding supreme! Spent some time setting up merch, mingling and drinking some beers with the folks there early enough and it was time for Spirit Photography to start. Comprised of Craig Oliver and Brian Carver from Christmas Island with Mark Schmidt and a drummer I haven't met before. These guys just shred, full cab set up needless to say if you were up front you were near def after their set. I really hope they play out more, cause they've got something going for them. Drunk nerds with their swag bags in tow had started to make their way in and just as Ale Mania took the stage I was bombarded by a handful of friends eagerly wanting a high five or hug. Oh ComicCon, what you do to these folks is hilarious! Ale Mania took the stage with their full group set up, Cory Stier on drums and Andrew Montoya on vocals and thunderous rhythm section pounding out those grooves. These guys have come a long way and are definitely starting to win over much of the SD music scene. I haven't missed an AM show in a while so I'll spare you my biased review.

Tropical Popsicle started up with their first of two sets in the Atari Lounge complete with smoke, strobe lights, neon light cords strewn around their mic stands and amps. Tribal drums, pop melodies, psych vocals and their own brand of "Beach Goth" has taken the blogosphere over and now most of San Diego. As I looked around the room I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of smiles and bobbing of heads I saw along to their playful dark brand of pop. Always Awake In Shadows seemed to grab the crowd pleasantly, I did my time a the merch booth slinging some wears for Trop Pop. A couple laughs with Anton from the Iceage camp and Cult of Youth had taken the stage back in the main room.

Cult of Youth's frontman Sean has got some damn good stage presence and energy that's for sure, his bands take on The Pogues meets post industrial folk wowed over the crowd. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's definitely different that's for sure and didn't really win me over. Nonetheless they put on an energetic set and their violinist Christiana won over more hearts than not. They had just finished up a tour with Cold Cave and were thrilled to be hitting the road with Iceage for thirteen dates. Tropical Popsicle continued to turn heads and win over some new fans with their second set of the evening in the Atari Lounge. Unfortunately I was outside doing merch and mingling to catch all of it, but I did hear it all!

It was just about that time, so I headed to the bar and grabbed a whiskey/ginger. Talked to a few friends and got my spot in the front, Elliot was spinning some old school rap bangers from Ludacris and NWA...kinda different for this kinda show but I like it. Touche! The seventeen/eighteen year olds took the stage with the bitten lip looks, tight jeans rolled up and punk scowl on their faces. A couple of snafu's with the sound and they ripped right into New Brigade single White Rune, the crowd already in complete madness; bodies being shoved and pushed, people singing along. Others with their arms crossed waiting for the Copenhagen teens to appease them with something gone wrong or anything to say "I told you they weren't that good, they're kids, they're not punk". The band blasted through their album a blistering pace, with the lead singer spending most of the duration of the set getting mauled in the pit. One of Casbah's security guards jumping in to grab a hold of Jojo almost strangling the poor guy. Blood splattered on his face and a look of "alright San Diego, that's what I want to see" he returned to the stage played New Brigade and looked over at me to lower him to the ground. Thats it, he said. Short, fast, and to the point just like all punk used to be. The Danish teens did not disappoint me, but thats me. In my eyes, if they can keep it up they should have quite the career. Overall Iceage put on a hell of a show and my hats off to them, Casbah, Craig Oliver and Volar Records for putting on a great night! Such an awesome start to the weekend.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Things To Do In San Diego: August 26-28, 2011

What a week. Honestly, I'm hanging by a string so I'm glad I have lots to do this weekend to keep my brain occupied. I'll be working at the Butthole Surfers show at Brick By Brick, so be sure to introduce yourself if we're not friends already. I'll be the ticket taker.

Friday, August 26, 2011:
  • Butthole Surfers, 400 Blows @ Brick By Brick
  • Hyena, Art vs Science, The Hundred Days, DJ Patrick Heaney @ Casbah
  • Airborne Toxic Event @ Del Mar Racetrack Summer Concert Series
  • Jesse LaMonaca @ Urban Bar
  • The Fire Eaters @ Rosie O’Grady’s
  • Heartbeat Trail, Black Hondo, Little Fowl @ Tin Can
  • 90's night - Red Not Chili Peppers, Vitalogy (Pearl Jam Tribute), No Duh! (No Doubt Tribute) and DJ ManCat @ Belly Up
  • Vaz, Pygmy Shrews, Batwings, Kenseth & Brandon (Sleeping People)@ Soda Bar
  • Bonkers! EDM dance party with Vaughn & Junior @ Bar Pink
  • The Bedbreakers @ Whistle Stop
  • The Short Eyes, Blackfeet Braves, Keepers of the Sun, Mr. Elevator and the Brain Hotel @ Metaphor Café
  • Oddball, Machine Gun Vendetta, Break The Cycle, Imperfex & the Scoundrels @ The Shakedown
  • Hungarian Carnival Burlesque Show @ Til Two Club
  • Listening To Rocks, ADD/C, Jon Kanis art opening @ Ruby Room (6pm)
  • Syndicate (final show), Love, The City and Space, The Secret 6 @ Ruby Room (9pm)
  • The Bloody Hollies, 321 Stereo @ Eleven
  • 80s Night with Rockit Science, Lixx @ The Griffin
  • Ruin of Adoban @ Tower Bar
  • Feel The Noise Electro Dance w/DJs Gabe Vega & Friends @ U-31
  • Decibel Pres: Metal Arise! Feat: The Devastated,The Browning, Allegaeon @ House of Blues
  • Erick Macek, Erin McLaughlin, Trevor Davis @ Lestat's
  • Grandmasta Rats & Charlie Rock @ El Dorado
  • Love & Light @ Winston's
  • Pigeon, Dying to Wake, Hit Dog Hollar, Special C, Electric Dynamite @ 710 Beach Club
  • Burden Of Truth, Ruckus, Fury Never Fades, Fall From Vengeance, Suntorn, From My Cold Dead Hands @ Soma
  • R Stevie Moore, Alex Miranda, Tropical Ooze, Twin Cabins @ Che Cafe
  • Gilbert Castellanos brings back his quintet featuring tap dancer/percussionist Claudia Gomez Vorce, with Irving Flores piano, Evona Wascinski bass, Lorrain Castellanos vocals, & special guests @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
  • Marcus Anderson @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
  • Jesse Cook, Maracatu Jangada @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • The Money Band @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • Seedless @ Wavehouse
  • Atomic Groove @ Belly Up (Happy Hour, 5:30 pm)
  • Kalifornia feat. Jose Luis Barte @ Anthology (Late Show 9:30 pm)
  • FilmOut San Diego – 13th LGBT FILM FESTIVAL @ Birch North Park Theatre
  • The Whitney Myer Band, DJ Arox @ Gallagher's
  • Michele Lundeen @ Marble Room
  • Donald Glaude, DJ Sanjay @ Voyeur
  • Zenbu Fridays with DJ Leif @ Zenbu Cardiff
  • Happy Days Happy Hour feat. DJ Tyrone Taylor @ El Dorado (Free, 5-9pm, Free In & Out Burgers)
  • Local DJ Showcase @ Spin
  • Pat Travers, LoNero, Brett Ellis, Taz Taylor Band @ Ramona Mainstage
Saturday, August 27, 2011:
  • El Ten Eleven, Sister Crayon @ Casbah
  • Seapony @ M-Theory (In-store, free, all ages, 6pm)
  • Dead Feather Moon, Lyon Crowns, Rhino @ The Griffin
  • Grave Babies, Young Prisms @ Bar Pink
  • Midnight Rivals, April Ventura and the Magnolias @ Eleven
  • The Nocturnes, Norman, Greg Gibson @ Tin Can
  • Chad Farran, Trent Hancock @ Lestat's
  • US Bombs, Pascal Briggs, Wooly Mammoth, Coda Reactor, DJ Mikey Ratt & Miggs @ Til Two Club
  • Leave It To Cleavage @ Eleven (2pm)
  • The Mattson 2 (CD release), In Motion Trio@ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
  • Angry Samoans, Midnight Eagle & Battle Flask @ The Shakedown
  • Booty Bassment @ Whistle Stop
  • Nite Jewel, Craft Spells, Yohuna, Seapony @ Soda Bar
  • The Lumps, Roachspit, For Days @ Tower Bar
  • Lions In Iron, The Talk In The Static, Fights Without Fears Within, and Pantheon @ Sunshine Brooks Theatre
  • Vokab Kompany, Pigeon John, Crush Effect and DJ ManCat @ Belly Up
  • Sunny Rude, The Filthy Violets, GED @ Ruby Room
  • Groove International Presents Sound The Groove! @ House of Blues
  • Pool Party @ LaFayette Hotel
  • "10th Anniversary Flight 93 Benefit" with Caskets on Parade, Aizen (final reunion show), Beneath Lanston, Moxie, Comfort in Rage @ Brick By Brick
  • Tommy Dubs and Friends @ Winston's
  • BoomSnap, Legacy Pack, Do Jo Masters @ 710 Beach Club
  • Ruinist, At They Burn Alive, Lord Of War, DepraV, Therefore, I am, Imbalanced @ Soma
  • Beware of Safety, Kill The Moon, Death on Mars @ Che Cafe
  • Shawn Phillips @ AMSD (Acoustic Music San Diego)
  • Highland Way @ San Dieguito Methodist Church Hall
  • Wayans Brothers, Damon Jr @ San Diego Civic Theatre
  • Dayglow San Diego feat. Sidney Samson @ Valley View Casino Center
  • Stepping Feet @ Marble Room
  • Revolt-age @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (5-7pm)
  • The Farmers @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
  • Inberst @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • FilmOut San Diego – 13th LGBT FILM FESTIVAL @ Birch North Park Theatre
  • Destructo Bunny, Defamation League, DJ Chelu @ Gallagher's
  • Juicy Saturday with Mike Czech & Artistic @ AC Lounge
  • Outlife Launch Party with WOLF + LAMB vs Soul Clap @ Analog
  • Craig Smoove, Groundfloor & Blancnoir @ El Dorado
  • Hatiras, Erick Diaz @ Voyeur
  • Swedish Egil @ Spin
  • Bobcat Goldthwait, Chip Franklin from KOGO @ Ramona Mainstage
Sunday, August 28 2011:
  • Tapes ‘n Tapes, The Chain Gang of 1974 @ Casbah
  • Man/Miracle, Chairs Missing @ Bar Pink
  • The Carpettes, The Shadow, Northern Tigers, Shiva Trash @ Soda Bar
  • Abbey Road - A Tribute to the Beatles - Walrus presents @ Belly Up
  • Restrict This, Ill Intention, SummersFall @ The Shakedown
  • Pete Johnson and Jus' Blues Baby featuring Tomcat Courtney @ Belly Up (3:30 matinee)
  • Pool Party @ LaFayette Hotel
  • SunDaze with Porter Robinson, Bag Raiders, Deth Hertz, Brazzabelle, Collin Perry, Marc Thrasher, DJ Jiffy @ Wavehouse
  • Karaoke with Scotty Pants @ Eleven
  • Night of the Cookers @ Whistle Stop
  • Carlos Rock Experience @ Winston’s (5-8pm)
  • LG Ones to Watch Presents 100 Monkeys, Kissing Club, Bleeding Horse Express, Still The Sky’s The Limit @ House of Blues
  • The Robin Henkel Band@ Lestat's
  • Saddle Up Sundays @ 710 Beach Club
  • The Hips @ Gallagher’s (2-5pm)
  • Ten Thousand Leagues, La Bella, tba @ Che Cafe
  • Jose Sinatra's OB-O-ke @ Winston's
  • Tribe of Kings/Reggae Vibes @ U-31
  • Jason Brown @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge Brunch (10a-2p)
  • Stelita @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
  • DMS feat. George Duke, Marcus Miller, & David Sanborn @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • Intervention Pool Party @ Hard Rock Hotel
  • Trippin The Sixties with Barry McGuire and John York @ AMSD (Acoustic Music San Diego)
  • Luscious Noise @ Anthology (6pm)
  • FilmOut San Diego – 13th LGBT FILM FESTIVAL @ Birch North Park Theatre
  • Bag Raiders, TJR, Brady Spear @ Voyeur
  • Reggae Sundays @ Spin

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Things To Do In San Diego: August 25, 2011

There is so much going on tonight in San Diego. Urbanist is having a release party in Uni Heights, Cafe Sevilla is celebrating their grand opening in their new location, The Griffin is having their official opening, I've got Meg and Bryan playing at West Coast Tavern, Mary Jane's Underground is back at the Hard Rock Hotel, and of course, tonight is another SoundDiego Live party. I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty devastated about my cat, but I can't think of a better way to take my mind off of things than to zone out to some awesome rock n roll and be around friends. Just don't give me a hard time if I wear my sunglasses at night.

Thursday August 25, 2011:
  • SoundDiego Live XIII w/ New Mexico, Old Tiger @ Soda Bar (Free food, RSVP here. 7pm)
  • Meg & Bryan @ West Coast Tavern
  • Obits, Disappears, Beaters @ Casbah
  • Charles Bradley, The Heavy Guilt, DJ Claire @ Belly Up
  • The Howls, Gabe Vega @ The Griffin (Grand Opening, 1310 Morena Blvd)
  • Mary Jane's Underground feat. Dead Feather Moon, Kera & The Lesbians @ Mary Jane's Cafe, Hard Rock Hotel (Free, 21+, 10pm-12am)
  • The Tree Ring @ San Diego Museum of Art
  • Lil' Wayne, Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, Far East Movement, Lloyd @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
  • Queen Caveat @ Bar Pink
  • Ninety Miles- Scott, Harris & Sanchez @ Anthology
  • Sleep Lady, Swore, Immovable Objects @ Tin Can
  • Roy Rapid @ Riviera Supper Club
  • In Motion Trio @ Lestat's
  • The Bloodie Hollies, 321 Stereo @ Eleven
  • Purple Church, Spracta Snut Skallar, Slut Machine @ The Shakedown Bar
  • Armed for Apocalypse, Turbid North, The Suicide Chords, Moosejaw @ Ruby Room
  • Lost n Sound Presents: Damian, Halo, Paul Najera @ El Dorado
  • EDM Presents: ATB, Josh Gallahan, Don Santino, JoshSilver @ Fluxx
  • Missy Andersen @ Marble Room
  • Nate Hancock @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • Mark Stuart @ Tiki House
  • The Ratt's Revenge @ Tower Bar
  • Michele Lundeen & Blues Streak @ Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
  • Gilbert Castellanos and The New Latin Jazz Quintet @ Croce's
  • Moonlight Serenade Orchestra @ The Lucky Star Restaurant (54th & University)
  • Ruby and The Red Hots @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
  • Vamp @ Whistle Stop
  • Sinistarr, ASC, Guise, Jason @ Kava Lounge
  • L.E.D. Presents: Kill The Noise @ Voyeur
  • Introduktion @ Queen Bee's
  • The Flock of 80's @ Henry's Pub
  • Club 80's @ Club Kadan
  • Mystique Element of Soul, DJ Paul D @ Coyote Bar & Grill
  • Product, Fiery 1 @ Gallagher's
  • Tommy Holladay & His Quintet @ Dizzy's
  • Apaulo 8, DJ Inform, Destructo Bunny @ Winston's
  • Live Band Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
  • Seismic @ Stage Saloon
  • Firefly @ Valley View Casino
  • Warren LaPlante @ Davina's Cabo Grill
  • Shake Before Us, The Essentials @ Boar Cross'n
  • The Ferocious Few @ RT's Longbord Grill
  • Big City Shaman @ McP's Irish Pub & Crill
  • Mickey Arnett Band @ Skybox Bar & Grille
  • Mudwolf @ Second Wind Santee
  • Scott Wallingford, Jay Scott Combo @ Good Guys Tavern
  • Todd Day Wait @ Mr. Peabody's (Encinitas)
  • Sister Speak @ Prosperity Hive

Official Video for "TAKE YOUR MEDICINE" by TRANSFER

Take a look at the new TRANSFER video for "TAKE YOUR MEDICINE"



Directed by Nader Husseini and developed by the creative team at Radium/Reel FX.

TRANSFER approached Husseini to direct the music video for their soon-to-be-released single after seeing his work on the Happy Bullets’ music video “The Vice & VirtueMinistry

For “Take Your Medicine,” Husseini collaborated with the band members of Transfer for the live shoot; they were featured as both the Doctors, shown at the start diagnosing the girl, and conversely as captives trapped inside of the Beast.

The video offers a unique visual representation of the song's lyrics, which question society's growing dependence on prescription medications.

“I’m proud of all the work and talent all of the Radium/Reel FX artists put into the project to make it a unique experiment in an alternative CG animation style,” says Husseini. It's picking up steam in the festival circuit, showing at the following:

38th Annual Siggraph Computer Animation Fest
4th Annual SIGGRAPH Asia Computer Animation Festival
The San Francisco International Festival of Short Films
7th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival
14th Annual FirstGlance Film Fest Philadelphia
Chicago International Movies & Music Fest
British Independent Film Festival
5th Annual Dallas International Film Festival
44th Annual International Film Festival Houston
2nd Annual World Music & Independent Film Festival, Washington D.C.

Awarded Platinum Remi for Best Rock Music Video | 2011 Houston WorldFest

Nominated in three categories at the DC World Music & Independent Film Festival: Best In Animation, Best Rock Music Video and Best Director.

share this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x39IsffUiYY

www.transferband.com
www.facebook.com/transferband
www.twitter.com/transferband

R.I.P. Boo Radley



The loss of a pet is never easy, especially when it is completely unexpected. Life is like that, full of twists and turns and ups and downs, constant challenges that test our strength. Last night I came home and my little Boo Radley was dead on my kitchen floor. He hadn't appeared sick, just as sweet as ever when I'd left the house earlier in the day. But now it was 1 am and Booey was gone.

It was the week of my birthday, almost 10 years ago, when Boo came into my life. I had been planning a huge party...not even sure what year that was now...my 24th? 25th?...and my older cat Kiwi had gone missing. It was the day of the party, and she had been gone three days. My idiot ex-boyfriend at the time worked at the Hotel Del and when he came home from work, had a box. Apparently there are a lot of feral cats by the Del, and one had a litter of kittens and so they were trying to adopt them out so as to reduce their population on the beach. I got Boo. Instantly in love with him, at the same time irritated by my boyfriend's insensitivity...Kiwi had only been gone a couple days. Boo was the only good thing that ever came of that fucked up relationship. But instantly I loved that little kitty with the clipped ear (something they do when they spay or neuter ferals).

We had a great party, though poor Boo was quarantined in the bathroom the whole night as his introduction to my 55 lb. dog and my other cat needed time. My cousin and I were cleaning up after the party, talking about the night as we did dishes when we started to hear a loud mewing. We ran outside and Kiwi had come back, walking along my side wall, dusty and draped in cobwebs. We figured she must've been locked in someone's garage, perhaps. My cousin looked at me and says, "you can't keep him or you're the girl with three cats!" "But I already love him!" and that was that.

If you've never had pets and felt that love, I feel very sorry for you. And if you have had pets, you know that every animal can have a wildly different personality that make them unique. Boo Radley was an amazing personality. He quickly bonded with my dog while my two girl cats had their own special relationship. They'd fight every once in a while, of course, usually when Boo forgot that he was dwarfed by Pascha, but he was so funny in trying to earn Pascha's love. He groomed her, licking her eyes and ears until she'd swat him away. I'd be sound asleep and hear things being pulled from my lower cabinets and knocked off the table only to realize Pascha's bowls were empty and Boo was telling me to feed the dog. He'd gone through phases...at times he slept next to me on my pillow, sometimes up in a basket on top of my bookshelf, sometimes knocking 50 cds onto the floor to sleep on the entertainment center. In the past week or two he'd been sleeping in a dark corner of my closet. I didn't realize this was him probably being ill. He always wanted to go outside and I'd let him run around with the dog before corralling him back into the house as he'd meow and look at me with disappointment. Sometimes he wouldn't come back in right away, until he realized Pascha was back inside and he'd cry until I'd open the door to let him in. It is because of Boo and his habit for laying on my chest when I'd lie in bed with my laptop that I can type entire blogposts without seeing my keyboard or screen.

(Boo caught in a compromising position)

Last year when Monkey died, I realized I was in a shitty situation because I had four animals that were all relatively close in age and we know they don't live forever, but Boo passing hits me a little harder still. He was a total lover and I was lucky to belong to him for the past decade. Telling pet stories is pretty annoying and falls just behind talking about the weather or telling people about your dreams, so I'll just leave it at that and say thanks to everyone who tweeted/facebooked me last night and this morning. It means a lot and I know I'll be fine and I have a lifetime of pets that I'll love and who will subsequently break my heart. And it will be worth it every time. Boo certainly was.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Ryan Adams "Lucky Now"

I guess my Ryan Adams obsession is well known to my friends because in the last 12 hours, 5 friends have sent me the single "Lucky Now". In case you haven't heard it yet, here it is:

Ryan Adams - Lucky Now by theaudioperv

It's funny, too...I got this sent via Media Access which distributes music to radio stations and their radio speak is so rigid. "Ryan Adams :: Lucky Now :: Impacting AAA on September 12. The first single from the forthcoming album ASHES & FIRE produced by Glyn Johns and in stores on October 11th"

Things To Do In San Diego: August 24-25, 2011

Things To Do In San Diego: August 24, 2011

So much stuff to get to today, hoping to update throughout the day, perhaps by the pool at the Handlery. Huge thanks to FMera, The Short Eyes, and The Get Down Automatic for an amazing night last night at the Casbah. Thursday listings are after the jump.
Wednesday August 24, 2011:
  • Alberta Cross, Children of Nova, Patrick Bates @ Casbah
  • FM 94.9 Presents: Dynamite Walls, The Hounds Below @ Belly Up
  • CANCELLED: Casbah Presents: Wax, Brother Nature @ Soma
  • Mac Lethal + DJ Ces Cru, Soulcrate, Brendan B & the Breaks, Solicit @ Soda Bar
  • Jesse LaMonaca & The Dime Novels @ Handlery Hotel (poolside 5 pm)
  • Awol One @ Kava Lounge
  • Red Hot Wednesday w/ Fam Royal @ Bar Pink
  • Skyhigh Karma, Skyline Union, The Great Southeast Stoned Out Wrestling Champions @ Tin Can
  • Thee 90 Proof Pissers @ Riviera Supper Club
  • Scream, Diatribe, Bumbklatt & Concussion @ The Shakedown Bar
  • The Calefaction, Trusting Havoc, Desolace, So Far Gone, He Is The Painter @ Brick By Brick
  • Live Band Karaoke feat. Rock Out Karaoke @ House of Blues
  • Kenny Eng, Haley Plotnik, Sara Petite @ Lestat's
  • Dub Dorado Presents: Run DMT, Headshake, Austin Speed @ El Dorado
  • Juliet Royal @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • Slim Man @ Anthology
  • Comedy Night @ Eleven
  • Kendrick Dial, Soul Ablaze, Jade Element @ Humphreys Backstage Live
  • Reggae Meets HipHop w/ DJ Artistic, Tribe of Kings @ Ruby Room
  • Blues Brokers @ Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
  • Wreck Shop Wednesday w/ Charbra, Gyst, Social Club @ The Office
  • Fuzzy @ Croce's
  • A Brief History of Rhyme, DJ Heather Hardcore & Marcus Exx @ Til-Two Club
  • Jeff Moore and The Witchdoctors @ The Kraken
  • Gilbert Castellanos w/ The New Latin Jazz Quintet @ El Camino
  • Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
  • Club Kingston w/ Lloyd Hemmings, DJ Carlos Culture @ Winston's
  • Taryn Donath @ Marble Room
  • Clay Colton @ Coyote Bar & Grill
  • Evolution @ Club Kadan
  • Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Gallagher's
  • L.E.D. Presents: Kill The Noise @ Voyeur (18+)
  • Ben Powell @ Davina's Cabo Grill
  • Firehouse Swing Night @ Queen Bee's
  • Jackson/Jesus @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
  • Mario Olivares @ The V Lounge Viejas Casino
  • DevOcean @ Typhoon Saloon
  • Jimmy SanDiego @ Air Conditioned Lounge

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Things To Do In San Diego: August 23, 2011

As promised, here are the listings through Thursday. For anyone who ever complains that there's nothing to do in San Diego, think again. Along with regular shows, today is the opening of Monkey Paw where the Jewel Box once stood, and on Thursday The Griffin celebrates their official grand opening (formerly O'Connell's), Cafe Sevilla opens in their new location (where Bondi used to be), and Urbanist is having a release party at 3RDSPACE on Park Blvd. Throw in a show I booked at the Casbah tonight, our SoundDiego party at Soda Bar, and my regular booking at West Coast Tavern (both on Thursday) and this week should be pretty insane. Hopefully in a good way.
Tuesday August 23, 2011:
  • FMera, The Short Eyes, The Get Down Automatic @ Casbah
  • Casbah Presents: Walk The Moon, Republic of Letters, guest @ Soda Bar
  • Sade, John Legend @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
  • Goo Goo Dolls, Michelle Branch, Parachute @ Humphrey's Concerts by The Bay
  • Derek and The Evergreens, Rodello's Machine, Astra Kelly @ Belly Up
  • Izzy & The Catastrophics, The Goods @ Winston's
  • Interrobang, Science Fiction Jazz, Emmett Sinclair and The Shattered Fragments @ Tin Can
  • Tiki Tuesday feat. Mr. Craig Prior @ Bar Pink
  • Ben Powell @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • Anthology House Band @ Anthology
  • Local Brews Local Grooves w/ Ristband, Dusty and The Love Notes, Paul Cannon Band, Mary Grasso, Brad Perry @ House of Blues
  • Darkwave Garden @ Club Kadan
  • Tori Roze Presents: Ruby Tuesday w/ Rhythm and The Method, Jelly Bread, Jesse Johnson Trio@ Ruby Room
  • Indie by Design @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
  • Trent Hancock @ Tiki House
  • Eve Selis @ Croce's
  • Comedy Night @ Til-Two Club
  • Train of Thought @ Queen Bee's
  • Comedy Night @ Lestat's
  • Jeff Moore & The Witchdoctors @ Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
  • Tomcat Courtney @ La Gran Tapa
  • Tommy Price & The Stilettos @ Henry's Pub
  • Doug Allen @ The Kraken
  • Gene Warren @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
  • The Mighty Untouchables @ Valley View Casino
  • Quintinn @ Davina's Cago Grill
  • Friends Chill @ Whistle Stop
  • Karaoke @ Kensington Club
  • Stress Free Standup Comedy @ U-31

Monday, August 22, 2011

Tuesday Night: FMera, The Short Eyes, The Get Down Automatic at the Casbah



I had a great weekend that spilled into Monday, so I didn't realize when I published Jeff's post, that he was posting about a show happening the same night as and sddialedin presents show at the Casbah...thanks a lot, Jeff...anyway, the lineup is cool, the show is $5 and it's gonna be a great night at the Casbah with FMera, The Short Eyes, and The Get Down Automatic.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Walk The Moon @ Soda Bar Tuesday August 23, 2011

Cincinnati based indie rock band Walk The Moon is currently on tour promoting their initial full length titled I Want! I Want! The eleven songs on this album are full of catchy rhythms which remind me of several bands from the present and one from the past. The band cites Talking Heads, Local Natives and Vampire Weekend as influences, with which I wholeheartedly agree. There is a youthful energy at play here and the sound is infectious while still maintaining its originality. After all, is anything in the music of today totally new or rather a little of this mixed with some of that. Whatever the recipe, the band has enjoyed success playing SXSW and more recently Lollapalooza. It should be quite the night this Tuesday when Walk The Moon (yes, the name comes from that famous Police song) hits the intimate stage at Soda Bar. Led by lead guitarist Sam Cole and keyboardist Nicholas Petricca, the group is not reinventing the wheel, rather putting their signature brand of tires on that wheel. Come to the El Cajon Blvd club this Tuesday and enjoy the ride with this up and coming band.

As a final note, this is a Casbah Presents show, which only enhances the credibility.

Republic of Letters set the stage.

Watch a video of Anna Sun below.



Things To Do In San Diego: August 22, 2011

As they say on turntable, I'm "afk" today, so I'm just gonna give you Monday listings and I'lll post the rest later.
Monday August 22, 2011:
  • Anti-Monday League Presents: Chum, Los Seafinks, Secret Samurai @ Casbah
  • Bird Call, Johanna & The Dusty Floor, Addiquit @ Soda Bar
  • Groundation, Chali2na, The Earful @ Belly Up
  • Lady Parts, Excuses For Skipping, The Dirty Legs @ Tin Can
  • Dirty Mondays w/ DJ Gabe Vega @ The Saloon (Encinitas)
  • April Ventura @ Riviera Supper Club
  • Generation Decline, Red White & Die, more @ Ruby Room
  • Robin Henkel @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
  • Mellow Mondays w/ DJ Mello D @ House of Blues
  • Open Mic @ Lestat's
  • The Accidentals @ Tiki House
  • Club MAW @ Henry's Pub
  • Doug Allen @ The Kraken
  • Lady Dottie & The Diamonds @ Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
  • Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
  • Monday Night Mic @ Club Kadan
  • Dave Scott & Monsoon Jazz @ Croce's
  • Karaoke @ Coyote Bar & Grill
  • Tommy Price @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
  • Karaoke w/ Adam Gimbel @ Whistle Stop

Friday, August 19, 2011

Dynamite Walls w/ Bear Hands & Lights On @ Casbah- 07.28.11



Just got back from a very relaxing ten day trip to New England where I finally had some time to get through the last of my pix from past shows. In the latest (and hopefully last) edition of 'shows from three weeks ago', the Casbah hosted SD-based Lights On as the opening act for Bear Hands who (surprisingly) opened for local boys Dynamite Walls.

As the show was some time ago, specific details are somewhat difficult to recall. Lights On has been playing around town pretty frequently over the past few years. I had most recently seen them open up for The Fresh & Onlys and Clinic on the same stage a while back and they seem to have come a ways in their stage presence and delivery.

Lights On:






It was interesting that Bear Hands was listed as the second act if only because the last time they came through town (about nine months ago at Soda Bar) they played as the headliners to a pretty impressive crowd. Their debut album Burning Bush Supper Club had just been released to a good bit of critical acclaim and they backed up the hype with a great live show. It may be a case of poor management (they play again as the first of three bands at the Casbah on November 9), but it seems that they should definitely be going in the direction of headlining bigger venues. Regardless, they put on another great set, playing a healthy portion of their album along with a couple of new cuts. Very much looking forward to see what they come up with on their sophomore effort.

Bear Hands:








I don't know how Dynamite Walls' shows usually go but if their performance this Thursday night was any indication, I probably won't be checking them out again. I should have taken a hint when more than half of the crowd took off after Bear Hands' set, and again when they brought up a former band member (?) to bring them on only to have his intro rapidly devolve into shitty dick jokes and ramblings about how everyone who was left in attendance wanted to either be in the band or sleep with them. Not a good first impression. I will say that they do have good energy on stage and have their roster of songs dialed in pretty well, but I only lasted about four songs in before I left the ten or so remaining people to finish off the night without me.

Dynamite Walls:








For more pix from the evening click here and the rest of my concert photography click here.
_______________________
All images copyright © Nate Vandermeulen, All Rights Reserved.
Please ask for permission before downloading or linking to them.

Things To Do In San Diego: August 19-21, 2011

I'm so stoked that Friday is finally here! Yet again I felt like this week kicked my ass but I survived and I'm happy to say that my SDMT lineup is complete after a couple bands had to pull out, Adams Avenue Street Fair is all good and booked, and now I'm just left with the minor task of finding bands to play my birthday at the Casbah. I'm looking forward to a lunch with my favorite chain stomper, Al Howard (who you can see tonight at House of Blues and tomorrow at Eleven), as well as an afternoon with my favorite Brooklynites, CHAPPO, who not only play a killer live set but are exceptionally fun to party with...perhaps an afternoon beer crawl is necessary. And look at these listings! Great shows all over town including some cool early shows at Soda Bar and Bar Pink on Saturday. So yay. Grab your Ryan Adams tickets this morning and coast the rest of the weekend with all of the amazing live music around town. Saturday and Sunday listings are after the jump.

Friday, August 19, 2011:
  • Imagine Dragons, Long Live Logos, CHAPPO @ Casbah
  • Sezio presents Ganglians, Cuckoo Chaos, Little Deadman @ Soda Bar
  • Devo @ Del Mar Racetrack Summer Concert Series
  • Local Brews Local Grooves All Access feat. The Farmers, Jelly Bread, Vagabond Junction, Paul Cannon, Gayle Skidmore, Enreverie, Kenny Eng, The Heavy Guilt Duo, Kendrick Dial, Lenny Morris, Bosen Arrows, Deblois Milledge, Beggar and the Pen, For The Faint @ House of Blues
  • Steven Rey and the Slicks, The Old In Out, The Bloodflowers, Low Volts @ Til Two Club
  • London Below (formerly Tragic Tantrum), The Burning of Rome, Roswell That Ends Well @ Ruby Room
  • The Styletones @ Bar Pink
  • Phantom Ratio, Clockwork, Dead Daze @ The Shakedown
  • Beatles vs Stones night featuring Rubber Souls and Rocks Off with Elite Elvis Tribute @ Belly Up
  • F’ing in the Bushes with DJ Rob Moran @ Whistle Stop
  • Indians, Queen Kwong, Small Talk, Gllomsday @ Tin Can
  • Nuclear Tomorrow, Chinese Rocks, White Murder @ Tower Bar
  • Houston Jones, Plow @ New Expression Music (Formerly Old Tyme Music)
  • Tiki Oasis feat. Los Straitjacket, Big Sandy, Burlesque, Marc and the Escorts, Hot Pink Feathers, Marty Lush and His Latin Livers @ Crowne Plaza Hotel
  • Bill Cardinal and the Canyon Band, Old Devil, The Cutaways @ Eleven
  • Rhythm and the Method, DJ Nik B @ The Griffin
  • Feel The Noise Electro Dance w/DJs Gabe Vega & Friends @ U-31
  • Big Toe, Craig Shannon @ Lestat's
  • The Roosters @ Riviera
  • Unity Tour feat. 311, Sublime with Rome @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
  • Divebomber, Silence Betrayed, Media Solution, Break the Chain @ Brick By Brick
  • Stranger @ Winston's
  • West Swell @ Wavehouse
  • The Fabulous Pelicans @ Belly Up (Happy Hour, 5:30 pm)
  • Days To Change, Monkeys In Space, Dose of Adolescence, Almost New, Vignette @ 710 Beach Club
  • Emmure, Alesana, Blessthefall, In This Moment, IWrestlesABearOnce, The Ghost Inside, After The Burial, Motionless In White, Chelsea Grin, Sleeping With Sirens, Attila, For All Those Sleeping, Memphis May Fire @ Soma
  • Bassist Rob Thorsen & his quartet featuring pianist Joshua White, trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, & Duncan Moore drums @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
  • Detroit Underground @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
  • Tower of Power, Ruby and the Redhots @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • Kevin McCarty Concept @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • Tattoo Band (tribute to Sade)@ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)
  • Noel Gourdin @ Anthology (Late Show 9:30 pm)
  • FilmOut San Diego @ Birch North Park Theatre
  • Endoxi, DJ Arox @ Gallagher's
  • Bill Magee Blues Band @ Marble Room
  • Sydney Blu, Yusef @ Voyeur
  • EDM feat. Mikey High Jinks, Sudonim, DJ Misha @ Analog
  • Zenbu Fridays with DJ Leif @ Zenbu Cardiff
  • DJ Artistic, Saul Q, Kid Wonder @ El Dorado
  • Moonlight presents Autoerotique, Tristan D @ Spin
  • DJ Scooter @ Fluxx
  • Lynch Mob @ Ramona Mainstage
Saturday, August 20, 2011:
  • The Heavy Guilt, Black Sands, For Strangers and Wardens, Megan Liscomb @ Eleven
  • Beaters, Bleached, Heavy Hawaii, Plateaus @ Soda Bar
  • Sailor Jerry Presents Wooden Shjips, The Night Beats @ Casbah (For RSVP, click here.)
  • Pine Mountain Logs, Justin Froese featuring George Wit @ Belly Up
  • Jim Ward (of Sparta/Sleepercar/At The Drive-In), The Lusitania @ Soda Bar (Early show, 6:30 pm)
  • Madi Diaz, Keegan DeWitt @ Bar Pink (early show, 8pm)
  • Club Neon Beat with Mr. Vaughn Avakian & Junior theDISCOpunk @ Bar Pink
  • The Forgotten Coast, Pageants (ex-Avi Buffalo), Sister Mary Challenger @ Tin Can
  • Jesse LaMonaca @ The Lincoln Room (6-8:15 pm. Free)
  • Jesse LaMonaca @ Urban Bar & Grill (9pm-12am. Free)
  • The Blackout Party @ Riviera
  • Klub Therapy feat. Stalins of Sound, White Murder @ Til Two Club
  • 80s vs 90s with Gabe Vega & Saul @ Whistle Stop
  • SD UNION Presents DJ Qbert, Ghost M.D. (12 Monkys, TSTV, SD), Cool Breeze (Bass~Quake,SD), Miss Brisk (TSTV,SD), Hevrock (Item 9 Ent, TSTV, SD) Hosted By: Ridda & Subliminal Sound By: DEEP(Drum and Bass / Turntablism) @ Ruby Room
  • Tiki Oasis feat. Herb (a tribute to Herb Alpert), Orchestra Superstring feat. DJ Bonebrake, burlesque, King Kukelele, Jack “Mr Bongo” Costanzo and His Latin All Stars, Frankie’s Baja Marimba Mania @ Crowne Plaza Hotel
  • Dirtbag Surfers @ Tower Bar
  • The Reflectors @ The Griffin
  • Cut Chemist, Mr. Lif, Edan @ House of Blues
  • Alison Lonsdale @ Lestat's (6-8pm)
  • Austin and Olivia, Lady Day, Ramekaga @ Lestat’s
  • Pool Party @ LaFayette Hotel
  • Dierks Bentley @ Petco Park, Postgame Concert Series
  • The BluesWailers, The Soul Penetrators @ Mississippi Room at Lafayette Hotel
  • First Degree the D.E. with Zigg Zagg and SD Tattoo & Music @ Brick By Brick
  • Lenny Morris & Friends @ Winston's (5pm)
  • Tribal Theory, The Room Downstairs, Irieality @ Winston's
  • Stick Figure, Hi Roots, Sandollar @ 710 Beach Club
  • Bucket of Fish, Skank Agents, The Skains, Thanks Jack, Skatter Bomb, Squirrel Plague @ Soma
  • Bomb The Music Industry, Grim Luck, The Prostitutes @ Che Cafe
  • John Foltz @ Marble Room
  • The Charles McPherson Quintet featuring alto saxophonist Charles McPherson with Gilbert Castellanos trumpet/flugelhorn, Randy Porter piano, Marshall Hawkins bass, & Chuck McPherson drums @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
  • Betamaxx @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
  • Carlos Mencia @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • Frako Suave @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • Dead Man’s Party feat tributes to Oingo Boingo, The Cure, and Devo @ 4th & B
  • Jerry “The Iceman” Butler @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm, Late Show 9:30 pm)
  • FilmOut San Diego @ Birch North Park Theatre
  • Craic Haus, DJ Chelu @ Gallagher's
  • DJ Cheyenne Giles, Super Karaoke @ Analog
  • G.L.O.V.E.S., Adam Salter @ El Dorado
  • Bingo Players, Rifat Ziadeh @ Voyeur
  • Juicy Saturday feat. DJ Mike Czech & DJ Artistic @ AC Lounge
  • Sid Vicious & Ricky Rocks @ Fluxx
  • Lynch Mob, Thirty/30 @ Ramona Mainstage
Sunday, August 21, 2011:
  • Kathleen Robles’ 50th Birthday feat. Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects, Blackout Party, The Tuggs, Marsupials @ Casbah
  • Amos Lee, Mutlu @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • Free Moral Agents, Megafauna, Brian Ellis Group @ Soda Bar
  • Groundation Building An Ark - World Tour 2011 with special guests Bambu Station, Kevin Kinsella @ Belly Up
  • Kites Sail high, 88:88, Alpha Method, Illuminauts (DJ sets)@ Tin Can
  • Pressure Point, Those Unknown, Toughskins @ The Shakedown
  • Pool Party @ LaFayette Hotel
  • SunDaze with Wolfgang Gartner @ Wavehouse
  • Cavepunk Records’ DJ Thaddeus @ Whistle Stop
  • D & M, Zach Kingsley Band, The Art of Silent War, Saba @ Ruby Room
  • Rock The Bell feat. Raekwon, Ghostface, Mobb Deep @ House of Blues
  • Austin Hartley Leonard, Indigenous @ Lestat's
  • Afton presents: OverCast Encore, Doggy Daddy and the Fry Katz, The Randal Gatz, More Bad Luck, Van Brando, BMartini, Narinas, Sta$h N Ganglez, Stella Donna, Jagged Lines @ Brick By Brick
  • Saddle Up Sundays @ 710 Beach Club
  • Sun Down Sessions feat. Jam Kwest @ The Griffin
  • Karaoke with Scotty Pants @ Eleven
  • Jose Sinatra's OB-O-ke @ Winston's
  • Tribe of Kings/Reggae Vibes @ U-31
  • Stelita @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge Brunch (10a-2p)
  • Reggie Smith @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
  • Jelly Bread Love @ Gallagher’s (2-5pm)
  • Intervention Pool Party @ Hard Rock Hotel
  • Jerry “The Iceman” Butler @ Anthology (Early Show 7pm)
  • FilmOut San Diego @ Birch North Park Theatre
  • Reggae Sundays @ Spin

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Things To Do In San Diego: August 18, 2011

I just got off the phone with my parents who told me they were worried because I hadn't updated my blog or tweeted today and I realized they were right. Sometimes I feel social and sometimes I just don't. I haven't had normal sleep in a week which is probably not helping me at all, but hopefully I can get back to normal soon. I'll be at West Coast Tavern tonight if anyone needs to find me.

Thursday August 18, 2011:
  • Jesse LaMonaca @ West Coast Tavern
  • Casbah Presents: She Wants Revenge, White Apple Tree, DJ Gabe Vega, Junior the DISCOpunk @ Fluxx
  • Adele, Wanda Jackson, Micah Hulscher @ SDSU Open Air Theatre (sold out)
  • Pictureplane, Javelin, Hollagramz, DJ Jamuel Saxon @ Casbah
  • B. B. King, Stoney B. Blues, Irv Goldstein @ Humphrey's Concerts by The Bay
  • 91X Loudspeaker Showcase w/ Maren Parusel, Kevin Martin, Joanie Mendenhall @ Belly Up
  • Candy Claws @ Habitat House
  • Colour Vision & DubFrequency Present: Creme de la Creme: Liplock- Cosmic Dan, Wero, Bob Dazzla, Boy's Don't Disco @ House of Blues
  • Stephen Rey & The Slicks, Ghost Town Deputies @ Bar Pink
  • Babatunde Lea feat. Patrice & Bennie Maupin @ Anthology
  • Neon Cough, Dr. Seahorse, Clockart @ Soda Bar
  • Flashlights, Steffaloo, Lady day @ Tin Can
  • Robert Bondurant, Mason James, Lenny Morris @ Lestat's
  • Normandie Wilson, Sofa City Sweetheart, Bigger Fly Again @ Eleven
  • Flexx Bronco, Screamin Yeehaws, Se Vende @ The Shakedown Bar
  • Boulevard @ Til-Two Club
  • One I Red, East of Sweden, tba @ Ruby Room
  • The Bus Stop Presents: Still Ill, Morrisey Tribure, Profile, Saul Q @ El Dorado
  • Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet @ Ramona Mainstage
  • Taryn Donath @ Marble Room
  • White City Graves @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • The Celebrities @ Tiki House
  • The Ratt's Revenge @ Tower Bar
  • Missy Andersen @ Patrick's II
  • Soul Jazz @ Croce's
  • Moonlight Serenade Orchestra @ The Lucky Star Restaurant (54th & University)
  • Billy Thompson @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
  • Cory Wilkins Band @ The Kraken
  • Galactic Reign @ Kava Lounge
  • L.E.D. Presents: Simian Mobile Disco (DJ set) @ Voyeur
  • Kitten With a Whip @ Queen Bee's
  • The Flock of 80's @ Henry's Pub
  • Club 80's @ Club Kadan
  • Dann DiCarlo, DJ Paul D @ Coyote Bar & Grill
  • Pali Roots @ Gallagher's
  • Todo Mundo @ Winston's
  • Live Band Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
  • The Fabulous Pelicans @ Valley View Casino
  • Makeout Weird feat. California Bleeding, DJ Freakmnstrpsysauce @ Whistle Stop
  • En Fuego @ Davina's Cabo Grill
  • InTransit Audio @ RT's Longbord Grill
  • Tommy/Tina @ McP's Irish Pub & Crill
  • Hazmatt@ Hennessey's Carlsbad
  • Danny Green @ Oceanside Museum of Art

Adams Avenue Street Fair Lineup Announced

The lineup for the Adams Avenue Street Fair has been announced. Check it out here. Congrats to all the local bands selected.

The line-up for the 30th annual Adams Avenue Street Fair is now set and will feature more than 60 musical acts performing on six stages on Adams Avenue, Adams Avenue Park, and Lestat’s coffee house. The 2011 Adams Avenue Street Fair headliners include early L.A. punk pioneer El Vez, better known as the “Mexican Elvis,” the reunion of San Diego’s legendary Beat Farmers, Cambodian pop/American surf rockers Dengue Fever, rhythm & blues singer/songwriter and guitarist Arthur Adams, old school Latin soul band El Chicano, blues singer/guitarist Cedric Burnside Project, surf/rock instrumentalists Davie Allan & The Arrows, and the Bi-National Mambo Orchestra with special guest Jack “Mr. Bongo” Costanzo. Joining this year’s headliners are; The Blackout Party, Mattson 2, The Amandas, Larry Mitchell, Mia Dyson, Los Alacranes, John Hull, The Creepy Creeps, Taryn Donath Duo, and Roy Rapid & The Rhythm Rock Trio. (Attached is the artists schedule* for Adams Avenue Street Fair 2011)

The Adams Avenue Street Fair, Southern California’s largest FREE two-day all-ages music festival, will take place on Saturday, September 24, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Sunday, September 25, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, on Adams Avenue, located in the Normal Heights community of San Diego.

In addition to the exciting and diverse music line-up, there will be beer gardens, a micro brew tasting zone, giant carnival rides, and more than 200 food, arts and craft vendors selling their specialties throughout the festival.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Ryan Adams Presale Kicks Off Today at 10am

Tickets for the Ryan Adams show I posted about on Monday go onsale officially this Friday, but for those of you paying attention, there's a presale that starts today at 10am. You can find the password, courtesy of KPRI, HERE. You might notice the note on the Ticketmaster event page "*THERE IS A 2 WEEK TICKETFAST DELIVERY DELAY*". Pretty sure that means that even if you buy tickets to print at home, you don't get a link for two weeks as a means to prevent scalping. Good on them.

Ryan Adams
Balboa Theatre
San Diego, CA
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 8:00 PM
Tickets

Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit @ 207, August 16, 2011



Last night I had the good fortune of going to the Death Cab For Cutie and Frightened Rabbit show at RIMAC Arena. I'll post some photos and talk about that later, but for now, since I stayed up to make sure these uploaded properly, here is most of the set that Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit played at 207 at the Hard Rock Hotel after their RIMAC set. Since it started at 10, we actually left DCFC after about 7 songs, but I'd say it was worth it to see Scott back in an intimate setting. He was funny and charming as always, and Scott, if you're reading this, that thing with the Casbah? We can make that happen. You name the dates. Also, while you have a day off in San Diego, why don't you shoot me a tweet @sddialedin. I make a great tour guide. Seriously.

The playlist is in order of the set, and I actually titled everything for once. There are a couple oddball parts where I was being handed beer or trying to change batteries and memory cards between songs, but for the most part these look pretty alright. Mad props to my friend Matt for making this show happen.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Friday Night In San Diego: Imagine Dragons & CHAPPO at the Casbah

There's something special about seeing a band by accident. You're at a show because of the headliner or because your friends dragged you out or because you went on a whim because being home alone watching shitty TV sucks, and all of the sudden, you see and hear a band that draws you into the room and you wonder if everyone else's heads are exploding around you. That's what I felt the first time I saw Imagine Dragons. This probably resulted in me coming off as the super creepy n00bie fan, but really, I was just happy to have made that choice on that specific night because I loved the band. They're coming back to San Diego on Friday and you should really check them out. They're back at the Casbah...these are some videos I shot last time I caught them there.



Also on the bill, are my boys CHAPPO from NYC. You might remember that I met them down in Austin when they played before The Silent Comedy. That one was less of an accident, however, because I'd been communicating with their manager about an upcoming show in San Diego...but I caught them in Texas and then again a couple weeks later at Bar Pink and for anyone who thinks that I only like singer-songwritery boy-with-guitar/cry-in-your-whiskey music, think again. CHAPPO fuses all kinds of influences to come up with a unique space-rock sound that is a throwback to the 70s while at the same time sounding like something from the future. I love these kids and I think you will, too. Their new EP, Plastique Universe II: Pisces Princess dropped this week and you can download it free for a limited time. You should also pick up their first EP, Plastique Universe while you're there.

This is there official video for "Come Home" and then some of my videos from SXSW and Bar Pink. Click the right or left arrows to see all six videos.

Things To Do In San Diego: August 16-17, 2011

A while back, my friend Mike and I had a discussion about blogging. Is it to promote and preview shows before they happen or is it to review them after or is it just to brag to people about all the cool stuff you do? I'm not really sure since this all really started as a diary anyway, but I will say that those of us at the Casbah last night got a pretty special show with Califone. They're an amazing band and the room was maybe half full (if that), but they're just one of those bands I'll always go see whenever the opportunity is there. Tonight I'm looking forward to seeing DCFC and Frightened Rabbit at RIMAC, and you know we'll be speeding down the freeway to get to 207 for the after show. Wednesday-Thursday listings are after the jump.

Tuesday August 16, 2011:
  • Death Cab For Cutie, Frightened Rabbit @ Rimac Arena, UCSD
  • Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit) Acoustic Set @ 207, Hard Rock Hotel (Free. 21+. 10pm)
  • Josh Ritter, Old 97's, David Wax Museum @ House of Blues
  • Dirty Gold, Hotel Reverb, Tan Sister Radio @ Soda Bar
  • Gary Wilson, D/Wolves, United States '11, Dudes @ Casbah
  • Dave Alvin and The Guilty Ones, The Tilt @ Belly Up
  • Eric Lindell @ Winston's
  • King Legend, The Black, Chris Darby @ Tin Can
  • Tiki Tuesday feat. Surfer Joe's Boss Combo, The Secret Samurai @ Bar Pink
  • Anthology House Band @ Anthology
  • Local Brews Local Grooves w/ Natalie Angiuli, Chad Scott, Bianca Paras band, James Morris, Justin Froese @ House of Blues
  • Darkwave Garden @ Club Kadan
  • Tori Roze Presents: Tori, Sister Speak, Jennie Buss, Seaholm Mackintosh @ Ruby Room
  • Gypsy Swim Cats @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
  • Trent Hancock @ Tiki House
  • Steph Johnson @ Croce's
  • Tuesday Night Jazz Collective @ Til-Two Club
  • Train of Thought @ Queen Bee's
  • Comedy Night @ Lestat's
  • Big Slim & The Blues Invaders @ Patrick's ll
  • Tomcat Courtney @ La Gran Tapa
  • Tommy Price & The Stilettos @ Henry's Pub
  • Doug Allen @ The Kraken
  • Jimi Blaze @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
  • Michael Chain @ Valley View Casino
  • Johnny Tarr @ Davina's Cago Grill
  • Friends Chill @ Whistle Stop
  • Karaoke @ Kensington Club
  • Earthbound Ghost (Nate Barcalow of Finch), Andora, Bangladesh @ Stage Saloon
  • Stress Free Standup Comedy @ U-31
Wednesday August 17, 2011:
  • Writer, Jesse Sykes, El Monte Slim @ Casbah
  • Green Flash Concert Series Presents: Steve Poltz @ Birch Aquarium
  • Orgone, The Styletones @ Belly Up
  • Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers @ Humphrey's Concerts by The Bay
  • Motley Crue, Poison, New York Dolls @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
  • Mammoth Life, Black Oak Hymnal, KIDS @ Soda Bar
  • Saywen, Mojave Wild, Heavy Guilt Duo @ Kava Lounge
  • Red Hot Wed. feat. Grand Masta Rats @ Bar Pink
  • Spirit Vine, Strangers Family Band, Midday Veil, April Ventura & The Magnolias @ Tin Can
  • Christmas Island, Cowabunga Dudes @ Tower Bar
  • Roy Rapid and the Rhythm Rock Trio @ Riviera
  • Serial Hawk, Deep Sea Thunder Beast, In The Red @ The Shakedown Bar
  • Reyli @ House of Blues
  • Ruby Summer, Annie Dru @ Lestat's
  • The Bus Stop Presents: DJ Cam, Dopeshoes, Ikah Love @ El Dorado
  • Felisa (acoustic) @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
  • The Duke Robillard Band @ Anthology
  • Comedy Night @ Eleven
  • Michele Lundeen @ Humphreys Backstage Live
  • Coastal Girls, The Reused, CannonFire @ Ruby Room
  • Secret Samurai @ Tiki House
  • Bill Magee Blues Band @ Patrick's II
  • Wreck Shop Wednesday @ The Office
  • Fuzzy @ Croce's
  • Klub Isolation @ Til-Two Club
  • Frankie Dee and The Funk Natra Band @ The Kraken
  • Gilbert Castellanos w/ The New Latin Jazz Quintet @ El Camino
  • Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
  • Club Kingston w/ Edi Fitzroy, DJ Carlos Culture @ Winston's
  • Live Band Karaoke feat. Rock Out Karaoke @ House of Blues
  • John Foltz @ Marble Room
  • Thomas Mapfumo @ WorldBeat Cultural Center
  • Michael Leclerc @ Second Wind navajo
  • Evolution @ Club Kadan
  • Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Gallagher's
  • Jeff Bristol @ Davina's Cabo Grill
  • Firehouse Swing Night @ Queen Bee's
  • Now.Hear.This! @ Whistle Stop
  • Karaoke @ Chico Club
  • Ron's Trio @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
  • Allison Adams Tucker @ The V Lounge Viejas Casino
  • Ease Up @ Typhoon Saloon
  • Hargo @ Stage Saloon

Monday, August 15, 2011

Ryan Adams To Kick Off Tour In San Diego

Ryan Adams has been a pretty mysterious dude. I've been a fan since the first time I was introduced to Whiskeytown's Stranger's Almanac and got to see them at my first Casbah show. Maybe there's a certain sentimentality then, even when Ryan announces his last record ever or puts bizarre rap or metal albums online, or when he just gets kinda crazy on his Facebook wall, that the guy really can do no wrong for me. Once I put together a playlist of all the Ryan Adams material I have and I stopped after 267 songs.

Last week I got an advertising inquiry with the subject "Ryan Adams" and though I haven't heard back if they'll buy an ad (please, please buy an ad), it was my first clue that he'd be coming to town. I've been paying attention and in the past few weeks, Ryan announced a new record to be released on October 11, 2011, called Ashes & Fire. There's a full tracklisting posted on his Pax-Am label site.

From Ryan's Facebook:
New album is called "Ashes & Fire". It was produced by Glyn Johns ( rocknroll wizard & true gentleman). It has 11 songs on it. I played acoustic on all of them and sang and played live to tape. We recorded the album ALL 100 percent ANALOG ( 2" tape mixed to 1/4" ). A computer didn't touch this album. It has very few overdubs. I gave these songs the most consideration I have ever given and it is certainly the longest amount of time I've spent writing. It was made with total love. Very excited. XX
Today, various sources (Jambase, Consquence of Sound) around the web announced tour dates, kicking off October 11 at our very own Balboa Theatre.

My 35th Birthday is on September 28. Last year I got a big wet kiss from Conor O. I thought this year couldn't compete, but with all of this goodness coming up, I think 35 isn't looking so bad.
September 16 & 17 Bon Iver/Other Lives @ Spreckels
September 21 Bright Eyes @ Soma
September 28 AA Bondy @ Casbah
October 4 Rocky Votolato/Matt Pond PA @ Casbah
October 10 Dawes/Blitzen Trapper @ Belly Up
October 11 Ryan Adams @ Balboa Theatre

Here's a playlist of various videos from a recent Ryan Adams appearance in LA.

Things To Do In San Diego: August 15, 2011

This weekend I worked security for a film shoot at the Casbah. Basically I had to make sure nobody touched any alcohol from the bar, but it was super interesting to how professional and controlled the environment was. The film is by Destin Cretton and from what I understand, it's called ::Songwriter:: (though I heard someone joke, "it's called 'I Am Not A Hipster'") and is scored by music written by Joel P West. The male lead was played by Dominic Bogart and he was such a sport playing the same two songs about 83 times each (mild exaggeration).

Anyway, it was a fun shoot and reminded me how much I wanted to work in film back when I was deciding what I wanted to do with my life (though I suppose I'm still deciding). Anyway, I have no idea how long post-production will take or when or how the film will be released, but if you've ever seen Destin's work, you know it is probably going to be pretty amazing. Good luck to Destin and thanks for letting me be a part of the fun. Hopefully people show more support for a film about a songwriter than they do for actual songwriters (zing!) because from what I've witnessed lately, show attendance has been really pathetically dismal. Sometimes I don't even know why I bother with these listings.

Monday August 15, 2011:
  • Anti-Monday League Presents: Califone, Little White Teeth, Nothingful @ Casbah
  • This City Defects, Incomplete Neighbor, Death on Mars, Space Town Savior @ Soda Bar
  • Jimmy Dean and the Modern Mexicans @ The Shakedown
  • Just Like Jenna, The Consonance, Oh Air Night @ Tin Can
  • Shannon & The Clams, The Trashies, Northern Tigers @ Til-Two Club
  • Dirty Mondays w/ DJ Gabe Vega @ The Saloon (Encinitas)
  • Acoustic Night w/ Bosen and Suede @ Eleven
  • April Ventura @ Riviera Supper Club
  • Stoney B. Blues Band @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
  • Mellow Mondays w/ DJ Mello D @ House of Blues
  • Open Mic @ Lestat's
  • The Accidentals @ Tiki House
  • Club MAW @ Henry's Pub
  • Doug Allen @ The Kraken
  • Karaoke @ Til-Two Club
  • Jeff Moore Witchdoctors @ Patrick's II
  • Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
  • Monday Night Mic @ Club Kadan
  • Dave Scott & Monsoon Jazz @ Croce's
  • MynhKa Ba, Aimon, Preteen Pornstar, DJ Team Grim @ Kava Lounge
  • Lightning Train @ Bar Leucadian
  • Karaoke @ Coyote Bar & Grill
  • Gene Warren @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
  • Trivia @ Whistle Stop