Things To Do In San Diego: July 30 - August 3, 2014

I'm up in the Bay Area with Darren and Nova, visiting his mom and nephews and it's been really nice up here. We hiked Muir Woods and Tamalpais yesterday and are off to San Francisco today to see the sights, and will probably go to Six Flags tomorrow, so there won't be many updates from me, but here are your listings. If you're planning on going to the San Diego Beer & Craft Cocktail Showcase this Saturday at El Dorado, use the promo code ILOVEOTIS for a discount. See you soon!

Things To Do In San Diego: July 27-29, 2014

I'm getting outta Dodge and leaving you with all the week's listings. Bar Pink, Croces, Gallagher's, U-31, and Whistle Stop weren't updated for August, so I'll try to add those while I'm away, but if not, you can figure those out for yourself. Have a great week and see you on the flip. Sunday through Tuesday archives after the jump.

COMIC-CON 2014: THURSDAY

My Thursday Comic-Con was pretty short and simplified. Pyles and I arrived around 1, went to our walk-through of the Assassins' Creed obstacle course and then decided to do the Leap of Faith. Oh. My. God. It is super fun and there's this moment when you expect to hit the giant pillow and when you actually do, and that's when the adrenaline really rushes. It is super cool and free, so go check it out. 

From there, Pyles went to the Convention Center and I went straight to the Wired Cafe. On my way, Jack Black was doing an interview on the balcony of the Hard Rock Hotel. 

I spent the rest of the afternoon at The Wired Cafe with DJ Artistic and Pyles. Drinks, food, and way more people than in years past. Looking forward to spending the day there again. 

I had to leave downtown to work at The North Park Theatre, where Steam Powered Giraffe had booked a show for their fans. The show ended and I was home by 10, and worked until 4am. Aargh. Maybe now I can really let loose....

Things To Do In San Diego: July 25-26, 2014

I don't know why I'm still awake working, but there's just too much to do in the daylight hours. I'm looking forward to a big Friday back at the Wired Cafe and wandering the off site activities for the Con before I head to The North Park Theatre for The White Buffalo. There are tickets at the door, too, so come enjoy the show.  There are so many things to keep you busy today through the rest of the weekend. Time for me to sleep. Friday and Saturday archives are after the jump.

COMIC-CON 2014 PREVIEW NIGHT

My Comic-Con experience is already very different from years past, as Pyles and I have new jobs we have to work into our week, but we made it downtown yesterday with plenty of time to bump into Hillary & Ciro and the FM 94/9 crew, grab our badges and get onto the floor at 6pm.

Man, have I just let pop culture pass me by in the past year. I think the only shows that I watch that are represented this year are Adventure Time and Key & Peele. I gave up on True Blood, never watched Breaking Bad, and though I loved Walking Dead, you miss a few episodes abd the whole thing gets away from you.

So walking the floor is pretty foreign to me. What is everyone running to? Why the lines? And how many thousands of dollars can one family spend on Hasbro and Mattel toys? But it's fun, feverish, and not the place to be if you're prone to anxiety attacks. Today, we're hitting the Wired Lounge, doing a walk through of the Assassin's Creed parkour course, and then I'm off to work at The North Park Theatre for Steam Powered Giraffe.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 24, 2014

Preview night was fun and exhausting, but today is going to be a short day for me as I'll be heading to The North Park Theatre later this afternoon and hopefully knocking out lots of work so I can enjoy the rest of the Con and prepare for my trip. I didn't see any major new announcements, but Petco Park did a nice little guide for on-site activities which you can check out here. Don't forget I have a Comic-Con Page, just go up to the menu and it's there. Thursday archives are after the jump.

Friday Night: The White Buffalo at The North Park Theatre

BUY TICKETS HERE. 

Things To Do In San Diego: July 23, 2014

In about an hour my good friend Tim Pyles will be picking me up and I suspect the first thing out of his mouth will be, "Guess what day it is?!!" We have made Comic-Con our annual routine and I can't wait to get down and explore all the off-site displays and events, secure my badge, and find all the fun stuff we can stumble into. There are still plenty of shows if the Con isn't your thing, too, but there's so much to see and do, I hope you allow your inner child the chance to explore. Wednesday archives are after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 22, 2014

It's really funny paying attention to media and blogs this week, because there's this buzz and excitement in the air, yet you see words like "overwhelmed" or "frenzy" and reports that San Diego hotels will be 100% full throughout the county (or at least the City), various numbers about the amount of people attending the Con (130,000 attendees, not including staff, volunteers, and people without badges just experiencing all of the free off-site activities), and of course, the overuse of the words "nerds" and "geeks" which have really just been beaten to the ground. I added my Comic-Con Page for this year, with links to survival guides, event guides, news, etc. It's in the top menu, accessible via your mobile, too. Before we get ahead of ourselves, however, tonight is Cayucas at the Casbah and it's going to be awesome! Hope to see you there. Tuesday archives are after the jump.

Tonight: Nightmare and The Cat, Kristeen Young @ Casbah- CANCELED!!

Woke up to this message on the Casbah website, so I thought I'd share in case you were planning on heading down:

Sorry, but tonite's show has been cancelled due to illness of one of the band members from Nightmare and the Cat. Refunds will be issued. Hope to reschedule sometime soon. Sorry for any inconvenience.

The Casbah will be open again tomorrow for Cayucas. Here's what's on deck for the week:

Tue Jul 22 - Cayucas, Hands, Idyll Wild
Wed Jul 23 - Matt Pryor (The Get Up Kids /The New Amsterdams), What's Eating Gilbert (featuring Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory), The Josh Berwanger Band (The Anniversary/The Only Children)
Thu Jul 24 - Boris, Mustard Gas and Roses
Fri Jul 25 - Flying Lotus, Peaking Lights, Maria Minerva, M Geddes, Mirage
Sat Jul 26 - The Muffs, The Loons, Aquadolls, The Touchies
Sun Jul 27 - Municipal Waste, To The Point, WitchHaven, Eukaryst

Tickets for Boris and Flying Lotus are selling fast this week, so don't wait or they could be gone!!

Things To Do In San Diego: July 21, 2014

We're just barely recovering from #Pride and then BAM! here comes #Comic-Con. I'm super excited to enjoy all the fun once again, but this year will be different for me since we have two events at The North Park Theatre (Steam Powered Giraffe on Thursday and The White Buffalo on Friday), so maybe I won't spend 3 days straight boozing at the Wired party as I have been known to do. I spent an entire day putting these listings together, but check back often because I'll be adding Comic-Con events as I hear of them. As usual, I've included invite only and RSVP parties because at least you'll know what's going on where and where you might have some celebrity sightings. Or maybe you know someone who knows someone. Either way, they're all here. Monday archives after the jump.

Things to Do In San Diego: July 19-20, 2014

What a week this has been. We went to "Your Song, Your Story" at Summer Pops and it was awesome- and only 45 minutes- which was exactly the amount of time the girls could handle, and then I went to Robert Francis at the Casbah and was super impressed by Vikesh Kapoor. Check him out when you have a chance. We took a big family field trip to Safari Park on Thursday and stayed until close. There are several baby giraffe and a baby black rhino who was born a week ago and it just might be the cutest thing I've ever seen. Last night with Pinback at the Casbah was super great, and tonight I'll be at The North Park Theatre for Rita Rudner. I was having a rough start to the week, but it definitely got better, and with Comic-Con just around the corner, there's a lot to look forward to. Saturday and Sunday archives are after the jump.

Tonight at The North Park Theatre: Rita Rudner- Tickets available at Box Office

Things To Do In San Diego: July 15-18, 2014

Oops. Almost forgot to repost these. I added a couple events, namely Your Song, Your Story, and I added the RSVP to Third Thursday at the Hard Rock Hotel on Thursday night. I don't know about you, but this month is so crazy between work and events and family and the new apartment and travel. I'm trying not to lose my mind but forgive me if you bump into me out on the town and I don't feel present. I'm trying. Tuesday through Friday archives are after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 14, 2014

I spent half of my Sunday having lunch, and watching the World Cup at World Cup North Park and hanging at Froggy Park and having a nice afternoon bike ride. Then I spent 6 hours putting together these listings. So I hope they're right and complete because I don't want to deal with this again. Next week is going to be even crazier because of Comic-Con, but this week you have Pride, Hess Fest, and all kinds of shows all over the place. Monday archives after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 11-13, 2014

Some weeks are just harder than others, and I really felt worn down this week. But it was also great- we spent some time at the Waterfront Park, I loved the Magic Man show, we went squat-swimming at a local hotel, went to nighttime zoo with a gaggle of family, and got more settled to make this apartment a home. I'm hoping to do a lot more organizing this weekend so the home office becomes functional. Tonight I'll be at the Growlers and will try to get over to Cloud Nothings, and definitely World Cup North Park on Sunday, but I'm leaving Saturday wide open because I just need to do that more often. Friday through Sunday archives are after the jump.

Casbah Presents: Wye Oak at the Belly Up tonight

Wye Oak (Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack) Photo courtesy of Grandstand Media

I remember a musician tweeting a withering assessment of the Arcade Fire some years ago.  They charged that having 10 people on stage doing the work of four musicians is the opposite of a magic trick.  This 140-character piece of snark stuck with me longer than I would have thought, only because of Wye Oak's opposite effect.  Despite consisting only of Jenn Wassner on guitars (electric and bass) and Andy Stack on the drums and keys, Wye Oak has never failed to leave their audience viscerally-aware of their presence on stage.  Shriek is such a confident and wonderfully composed album that found both musicians not only drifting far from eachother geographically, but musically as well with Wasner teaching herself bass for this album and Stack's evolving use of keys.  What they produced is an album that dives into jagged rhythms and winding bass-led grooves before stitching together lush tapestries out of gnarled musical threads.  Their 2011 album, Civilian, is a masterpiece (and in near constant rotation in my car) that finds Wasner and Stack deploying volume in a way that engrosses listeners the same way footage of avalanches or tidals waves do: we are simultaneously terrified and awed by the immense power and beauty being witnessed.

Pattern is Movement opens, tickets are $18, and doors are at 9pm.  Check out one of the stand out tracks from their newest album Shriek, "Glory", after the jump.

Preview: The Night Terrors of 1927 at the Casbah tonight

The Night Terrors of 1927 (Blake Sennett and Jarrod Gorbel) photo courtesy of Atlantic Records

Despite the ominous name that would make metal bands kick themselves for not thinking of first, The Night Terrors of 1927 is Jarrod Gorbel's (The Honorary Title) and Blake Sennett's (Rilo Kiley/The Elected) newest musical project.  However, fans of both artists raw, emotive style will be surprised to hear the quiet acoustic performances featured in both artist's oeuvre has been replaced by rousing grandiose arrangements courtesy of producer Andrew Dawson, who co-produced Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy".  I've been a huge fan of Gorbel's and Sennett's for a long time now and I was stunned to hear the change in style for these two musicians.  Some of their debut EP, Guilty Pleas, tracks hearken back to the crowd-pleasing songs on The Honorary Title's last album Scream and Light Up the Sky, yet stand out tracks like the single "Dust and Bones" demonstrate a much more confident foray into a poppier sound.  This is a band on the rise and, if there is any justice in this world, you'll be hearing greats things coming from Gorbel and Sennett in the near future.  The Night Terrors of 1927 are playing with Magic Man and Prides tonight at the Casbah, tickets are $12 and can be purchased here and at 9 p.m. at the door.  Check out their first single, "Dust and Bones", after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 8-10, 2014

It's a beautiful day and I'm happy to be working and tackling all these tasks, but I have to admit that I am feeling just a tad bit overwhelmed. We haven't fully set up wifi in the new spot, so maybe when that's settled I'll be a little less frantic, but for some reason if feels like every Comic-Con publicist decided that TODAY was the day they would start flooding media inboxes with every panel and product and must see thing and OH MY GOD Comic-Con is in two weeks and between all my Casbah stuff this week, and The Growlers at The North Park Theatre on Friday, and then scouring for all those parties and events for Pride and Comic-Con on top of the regular listings, well, I'm going slightly out of my mind. And we have a trip to plan, too. Anyone want to cat-sit? Well, one thing at a time...I've added a couple things to the weekend. See you tonight at the Casbah. Tuesday through Thursday archives are after the jump.

FM 94/9 Announces Independence Jam 2014- Date & Lineup

In case you missed this awesome lineup announcement...

FM 94/9 Independence Jam returns to the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater on Sunday, September 7th! Presented by Miller Lite.

Playing on the FM 94/9 Main Stage & Red Bull Tour Bus Stage:

Phantogram
MS MR
Bad Suns
Joywave
J Roddy Walston & The Business
Wild Cub
and Little Hurricane

Tickets are only $17 and are on sale at - www.IndependenceJam.com

A promo code for $12 tickets is available for Tribe 94/9 Members. Sign up at - http://www.fm949sd.com/Join.aspx

*$12 tickets are limited

#IndieJam2014 #IndependeceJam #IndieJam @fm949sd

Things To Do In San Diego: July 7, 2014

I wish I had some epic weekend tale, but going into it I knew that all I wanted was some quiet time to more fully move into the new place. While everyone was out partying for the 4th, Darren was out driving drunk people all over town while I blared Rocky Votolato via Spotify and cleaned and organized. It was glorious. Saturday was much of the same, though Darren burnt out on work around 11, so we got some time in at the Ken Club. Sunday was awesome because he volunteered to help clean up the Velodrome while I compiled all the week's listings, and we went on a great 21 mile bike ride. We went from home to City Heights for 777 Noodle House, then took Fairmont down to the River Trail, and went all the way to Pizza Port in OB. Stupid MTS sucks so bad, but we made it in time to catch a trolley from Old Town to Downtown, where my intertube blew, ran up C Street with our bikes to catch the final 7 bus home. Fortunately the driver let us have our bikes in the bus since the rack was occupied, but seriously I hope that the BRT is up and running soon and that the 15 offers longer service on Sundays, because stopping all transportation at 11 is a freaking joke. Monday archive after the jump.

Things To Do in San Diego: July 6, 2014

Just wanted to do a quick update because the Casbah is closed tonight and I didn't catch it on my listings before. Happy Sunday...carry on.

Sunday, July 6, 2014:

• Big Bad Buffalo tour kick off, The Obsessives (DC), Peru 4 U (NY), Monty @ Che Cafe
• Foreign Suns, Boychick, Future Age @ Soda bar
• Def Leppard and Kiss, Kobra and the Lotus, Jake Dreyer @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
• The Crocodiles @ Whistle Stop
• CANCELED: Venetian Snares, Surachi @ Casbah
• Dave Booda, Tolan Shaw, Chris WIlson feat. Endoxi @ Belly Up
• Irving Flores @ Croces Park West
• Gareth Emery, Christina Novelli @ Float, Hard Rock Hotel
• Jesse Davis, Funk's Most Wanted @ Humphreys
• Bob Weir, Ratdog @ Humphreys (Sold Out)
• Michael Jackson the History Show @ Balboa Theatre
• Ezequiel Pena @ San Diego County Fair
• Trapdoor Special @ Lestats
• Sunday Funday Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
• Destructo Bunny, Jose Sinatra Hosts O-B-oke @ Winstons

Things To Do In San Diego: July 4-5, 2014

It's Independence Day and this week has been great, Ronnie Spector was amazing, and I'm kinda looking forward to burying myself at home with getting the new apartment together. There's some great stuff going on this weekend, however, so I will definitely see some sunshine and perhaps a cocktail or four. Friday and Saturday archives after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 2-3, 2014

It's been a busy week so far and it's only Wednesday! I worked for Lee Fields on Monday and he's just really an awesome performer and a gentleman, which also means I didn't get home till well past 2 because he stayed for photos and autograph signing. Last night I worked at the Asher Roth show, which isn't really my jam, but at least I was done by 10pm. Darren took Nova to the SD Fair and they got home at midnight, so maybe this weekend will be a good time to catch up on sleep and hopefully make some significant progress in unloading boxes at the new place. I'm hoping to get listings for the weekend out early, so stay tuned. Thursday listings are after the jump.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014:

• Brother & Bones, Soda Pants, Crimson House @ Casbah
• Casbah presents Peter Murphy @ Belly Up
• Brian Warren (Weatherbox), Todos Caeran, Butler, Pale, Uncle Jesse @ Che Cafe
• Casbah presents The Reigning Sound, The Heartaches, International Dipshit @ Soda Bar
• REO Speedwagon, The Moderates @ Grandstand, San Diego County Fair
• The Freightshakers @ Rock On Stage, San Diego County Fair
• Lit @ Paddock Series, San Diego County Fair
• Dead Broke Down, Zach Oakley, David Zimmerle @ Tin Can
• Moonpool, Viva Apollo, The Steinbacks, The Cobra-Las @ Shakedown
• Synergy @ Winston's
• Robert Meade, Connor Correll @ Lestat's
• Lovelight Open Mic @ The Hideout
• Young Lion Series feat Lizzi Trumbore @ Croce's Park West 
• Slipping Into Darkness, H St., Cult Vegas, Northern Tigers, DJ Mike Delgado (Moving Units) @ U-31
• Gilbert Castellanos Jazz Jam @ Seven Grand
• The Tighten Up! @ El Dorado
• Records with Roger @ Bluefoot
• DJ Heather Hardcore @ Til-Two Club
• Big Daddy Orchestra @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Neighbors To The North @ Gallagher's Irish Pub
• Club M.A.W. @ Henry's Pub
• Future Wednesdays @ Kava Lounge
• Joe Cardillo @ Wonderland Ocean Pub
• Open Mic @ The Merrow
• Open Mic/Open Jam @ 710 Beach Club
• Johnny Tarr @ Henry's Pub (7:30-9:30)
• DJ Christopher London @ Henry's Pub (9:30-close)
• Christopher Dale Acoustic @ Tio Leo's

Thursday Night! Ronnie Spector: Beyond The Beehive @ The North Park Theatre

As you well know by now, I'm working at The North Park Theatre. The Theatre is incredible, and is constantly improving. For example, all our new permanent sound gear arrived in the past couple of weeks, and we put an epoxy coating on the floor so customers won't slip should a drink meet a sad fate on the floor. Tim Mays is handling booking, and it feels like every day that he's sending me an email with another confirmed show. I'll tell you all about those shows when we're allowed to announce them, but in the meantime, I wanted to remind you that on Thursday Night, we have Ronnie Spector: Beyond The Beehive. Ronnie is a legend and I can't wait to see this special performance. This is a seated show, so if you're like me and have nostalgic parents who love their Oldies, and who look back at the 60's as the golden era of music, then this is definitely a show that you should treat them to.

Ronnie Spector performs live on July 3. This is a 21+ seated show. Doors at 8pm. DJ Claire will spin vinyl, Ronnie Spector takes the stage at 9pm. Park at the nearby structure (entrance on 29th) for just $5 all night.

BUY TICKETS HERE.

Here's are articles about the show on SoundDiego and the U-T.
And more about the show below.

RONNIE SPECTOR'S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BEYOND THE BEEHIVE PLAYS WEST

HOLLYWOOD AND SAN DIEGO

MULTI-MEDIA PRODUCTION DEPICTS HER LIFE STORY IN MONOLOGUE, IMAGES AND LIVE SONGS

Rock and Roll icon Ronnie Spector's critically acclaimed Beyond The Beehive will play the Roxy in West Hollywood on June 30th, and The North Park Theatre in San Diego on July 3. The 100 minute multi-media production chronicles Ronnie's fascinating 50 year journey through Rock and Roll with stories, video and still images, as well as upwards of 16 live songs backed by her full band. Beyond The Beehive made it's UK debut in London this past Spring to overwhelming critical applause receiving 5 out of 5-star reviews from both The Guardian and The Independent with the latter exclaiming, "Ronnie Spector's Beyond The Beehive shines like a polished diamond."

Ronnie Spector came from Spanish Harlem and before her 20th birthday changed the look, style and sound of Rock and Roll forever as the leader of the quintessential "Girl Group," The Ronettes. While still in her teens, she was touring the world with The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds as her opening act. From being personally requested by The Beatles to open up their final tour, to holding court with the Stones and Bob Dylan at Ondines, Ronnie was on top of the Rock and Roll world in the turbulent '60s. As bright as her star shined, with her 1968 marriage to infamous record producer Phil Spector, all of that would be taken from her - the stage, her fans, the recording studio and ultimately her identity. At the peak of her career, it all ended suddenly behind electrical gates and guard dogs, amid nonstop psychological and emotional torture. Ronnie Spector would not be seen anywhere, let alone on stage, for many years as she fought to survive Phil Spector's obsessive and abusive behavior.

A captivating production detailing Ronnie's unique odyssey from NYC's Peppermint Lounge to Beverly Hills, from hit records to hit men, to eventually being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Beyond The Beehive tells the story of how Ronnie Spector transformed herself from victim to the ultimate Rock and Roll Survivor.
www.Ronniespector.com

Deafheaven will make everyone hear their brilliance at the Casbah tonight

I have never been much of a metal fan, yet Deafheaven managed to create one of the most powerful opening salvo of any album I have ever listened to.  The San Francisco black metal band is playing the Casbah tonight and you had better be there too.  Plenty of electronic ink has been spilled chronicling this bands pedigree and frankly, I'll spare most of you.  All I have to ask for the uninitiated is that Deafheaven's opening single " Dream House" became one of the most complete musical experiences I have ever heard recorded.  It sounds like hyperbole, because this band achieves a level of profundity in 9 minutes that other artists spend entire discographies trying to reach.  Do yourself a favor and give "Dream House" (video after the jump) a listen, I trust you won't regret it.