Friday Newsy Bits

I haven't done "newsy bits" in a while, but I'll give it a go today.

This only means anything to a handful of people, but Mike, the proprietor of Happy Hour Bar, aka Hobo Bar, confirmed to me the other night (albeit drunk off his ass) that he is selling the bar. The first time I met him, I was curious about his bar and his story. He's owned the place for 13 years and owns a mobile home in Rosarito and plans on retiring down there. Finally he apparently has a buyer. I heard rumors that it was Tim Mays, someone even said it was Dennis Toshima. I don't know who it is, but doesn't matter, I'd pretty much say enjoy it in its current state and then you can pretty much forget about it. Mike said, "gimme 2-3 months and I am outta here." It was also clarified to me that the reason he is able to allow smoking in the joint is because he is the sole proprietor and has no employees.
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James, one of my favorite bands of the early and mid nineties is back together. They are playing random shows in London and plan on playing shows and putting out new material, though they are not sure in which order that will occur. You all can get off on Rage Against The Machine reuniting. I'd rather get psyched about the possible opportunity to see James live again.
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Local boys Republic of Letters are busy working on their EP and now you can sample a couple of their new tracks on their MySpace page here. The new tracks from their Spirit or Ghost ep are "Bridge" and "Falling Back".
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Indie Blogger Nation is going apeshit over SubPop band Loney, Dear which I've avoided because of the stupid name. However, I came across their video on YouTube and love it, so I'll hop on the bandwagon. Here's a video for your pleasure:


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In other regurgitated news, Chris Cornell has quit Audioslave. It's about time.

His statement : “Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave. I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors."
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AM is an LA based singer songwriter originally from New Orleans. He carries the rare if not unique distinction of having every song from his album used in a tv or movie all before the album was ever released. He was praised as having the album of the year on iTunes in the singer/songwriter category. This is more for my KPRI readers than my music snobby friends, but AM is coming to the House of Blues sidestage next week supporting Brian Vander Ark. (February 22) Brian is the singer of The Verve Pipe, remember? Don't act like you don't know. I have the CD at home and can even picture the exact spot in which it has been in my CD rack for the last decade? Has it been that long?
Here's a video of Brian Vander Ark doing Freshman to jog your memory:


Anyhow, AM is awesome and all about meeting his fans, so go check it out. I think it's like $10 and I have a very strong suspicion that the House of Blues issues I complained about for bands do not hold true for solo acoustic artists. Isolation of their voices is what you hope for, in fact. Also, click here for a Billboard.com interview with AM. In my blogging experience, I haven't quite built up the courage to interview anybody because most interviews ask the lamest questions, but somehow, some way, this dumb broad got a job at Billboard interviewing people. Don't blame AM that she is a douche. It's so horrible its actually funny. Anyway, catch AM on his way to SXSW. I will be there and you should be too. Robert and Madison of KPRI, I should be seeing you there.
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That's all I've got today, really, except for this piece of advice: Don't try to cut a Hass avocado with a plastic knife. The skin doesn't break through and the reaction time to realize you're sawing off your own finger is a bit delayed...

It is going to be a GREAT weekend in San Diego.

Things To Do This Week, Reposted with minor updates

Since I will technically be on vacation from 10am on Friday through 7:30 am on January 2nd, I don't know how much time I'll have for blogging, etc. Unless some kind soul has some laptop that you never use and wanna let me borrow for a week or forever...

I know I will post throughout the week, but I would still like to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 2006 was an amazing year for me and I look forward to whatever 2007 might bring. (and I spared you my top 10 list!!)

Thursday, December 21, 2006

• Yovee, The Jade Shader, Matt Curreri & The Ex Friends @ Belly Up $8
• Jeremy Enigk, Manuok, The Bend @ The Casbah
• Hostile Combover, Batwings, and Cabrón @ San Diego Sports Club, $5
• Brass Rail Sumo Santa featuring Mono Mono, Mermaid's Journey, Mario Racadio, Sweet Joyce Ann, Los Crudos Navidad @ The Brass Rail, $5
• Lindsey Troy CD Release @ Lestat's
• FREE! If you're a fan of comedy, e-mail me for a pass for 2 to The Comedy Store. My pal Mark Schreiber is performing among other comics.

Friday, December 22, 2006

• Buck-O-Nine & Skanic @ Belly Up
• The Deere Johns, Mario Escovedo, Diablo Dimes @ The Tower Bar
• Ken Club Potluck 3-6pm. $3.50 Captain & Egg Nog, $3.50 Captain & Cider, $3 Montezuma shots. Christmas Party 10pm- Close- KARAOKE!
• Jivewire/One Nation Under a Groove @ Casbah (Free!)
• Steve Poltz and Julie Mack @ Lestat's
• Christmas Party at "The Happiest Place On Earth"- and I ain't talking about Disneyland. See you there...if you can find it.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

• New York Station, Fifty on Their Heels, Russell Hayden @ Brick By Brick $5 (NY Station is a tribute to Lou Reed's Rock n Roll Animal)
• Kings Only, Nancy @ The Alibi
• UV TIgers, Mr Tube and The Flying Objects, Earthless @ The Ken Club $3
• El Vez Christmas Show, Human Hands, Blasphemous Guitars @ Casbah
• Rhythm Stompers @ The Tower Bar
• Fashion Whore @ San Diego Sports Club (1 year anniversary)
• Way Back From The Get Slow @ Scolari's. (Improv duo with members of Sleeping People/Goblin Cock and Cattle Decapitation
• Daredevil Jane, Diego Root, Stranger 6 @ Soma
• Gregory Page & Samantha Murphy @ Lestat's

Sunday, December 24, 2006- Christmas Eve

• Exile on Kettner Blvd- Stones Covers by your favorite San Diego rockeros @ Casbah- FREE!

Monday, December 25, 2006- Christmas

• The Ken Club- $2 PBR, $3 Jim Beam shots. Come hang out with Pete. There is a 2% chance I will be dj'ing. Come hang out in the 'hood. Traditionally there is a big crowd on Christmas.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

• Tim Pyles Christmas Show, featuring Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects, MC Flow, Bad Credit, Addiquit, Unite, Mr. Henshaw @ The Casbah. FREE!!!
• Hill Street Stranglers, Screaming Yeehaws @ Winston's (there's another band but I refuse to type their name here.)

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

• The Knitters @ The Belly Up (the Country/Rockabilly/Folk incarnation of X)
• The Spazmatics @ 4th and B (free with student ID)
• Ricksha, Fuusha, Sir Splendid, KZO Rock Garden & The Boogiemen @ Casbah

Don't worry, I'll update the calendar for sure next week.

A Night Without Music

Sometimes you've just gotta get out with friends when there's no destination. Such was last night for me. Andrea and I fully intended to head to the Casbah for the Melvins, but everything else seemed a little more enticing than a sold out Casbah show.

The night started for me at the Jewel Box, where I had parked my car, had a cocktail, and was picked up by my mom to head to December Nights. We ditched the idea of riding the tram, and instead parked in the northernmost point of the San Diego High lot, crossed the walking bridge and were in Balboa Park in no time at all. It was crowded, which was to be expected, but whoever it is that plans the whole thing, particularly the "Taste of San Diego" area, should be fired immediately. How many freaking years do they have to do this to get it right? The lines were insane, people waited in line for food not realizing they had to buy tickets, and the vendors gave choices, leaving people retarded as they decided what they wanted. If I had it my way, every vendor would have one plate, like L&L Hawaiian Barbeque, with a sampling of their food and you walk up and grab what you need, give your ticket and are on your way. Vendors of merch would be spaced with the food vendors and the lines wouldn't collide. Ushers would be mobilized to make sure assholes weren't creating their own second line as they were at almost every line, but especially Pampas Argentinian Grill. Ricockulous.

I hung out with Dave and Adam for a bit in that area, then met back with my family and headed to the Natural History Museum, which was already closed by 9 pm. Again, lame. Andrea met us there, we hung out with some friends, then headed back to the cars.

Andrea and I ended up checking out some art thing which I won't really mention because the art did nothing for me and the pretentious crowd was like an indie crowd who read 944 like it's the bible. Barf. There was some party next door but we felt out of place and headed on.

We stopped in at Laurel to see Sweet Will behind the bar. We had a couple drinks, some free fries since they'd run out of the appetizer Andrea ordered, and listened to the faux riche talk about their fabulous lives. "Did I tell you were taking the helicopter to LA next week?" Still, it was a nice atmosphere and we scored some free champagne that would've gone flat overnight and had to be poured. People left, leaving 3/4 full bottles of Voss and half full bottles of wine. Must be nice, I guess.

From there, time was creeping up, so at 11:30-ish, we headed to the secret bar which I am not to name here. Kelly Duley was serving and despite the Steely Dan on the jukebox, it was a good time. It was pretty packed, which is easy to do since it probably has like a 20 person capacity, but by 1, I was ready to get back to my neighborhood so I could be walking distance from home.

I said goodbye and made the Ken Club for last call. The bands were over but I had a good talk with Brett about bands and the local scene. He believes there need to be more large drawing "headliner" local bands. He considers GOP and Transfer, but that's pretty much it. So tell me, San Diego, is that true? Or are there local bands that you see that always pull a crowd? I wanna hear what you think about it all.

Anyway, Shiloh and Jason met me at the bar and we came to my house and drank cheap vodka and watched a movie until I decided to crawl into bed and they were on their way. A good night in San Diego, albeit without live music...and sometimes you just need that.

Things to do: Thursday, November 16

I can't believe Thanksgiving is one week away. Traditionally next Wednesday is an amazing night to go out, so we'll see what comes up, but for now, let's talk about tonight:

This is really the only show I recommend, and not just because I made the flyer. RB&FP are really good and Juan Peso normally play in North County, so check them out since they're coming south for. I believe the show is free, so you have no reason not to be there.

I'll be there and then afterward heading to an undisclosed location where the beers are kept cold and cheap, the bartender knows your name, and you can score $1 chili cheese fritos...supposedly there will be a kinda freestyle open mic type thing there hosted by Ben from Down with Leo. If you're interested, I just might tell you the secret spot (if you don't already know, of course...)

Also tonight:

The Slits, Mika Miko, dMonstrations @ Casbah
Death of A Dancer @ Beauty Bar

if I missed something else, let me know.

Update:
At Brick By Back there will be a live tribute to Lou Reed. Morgan Young is spinning. I'll still be at SDSC.