Jeff's Weekly Pick: Rooney @ Soundwave Wednesday June 16, 2010

LA- based rock band Rooney make their return visit to San Diego this Wednesday. This time the band will headline the recently remodeled and renamed Mission Beach venue Soundwave(formerly Canes). Those who have not been in the renovated space will hardly recognize it from its previous appearance. What does markedly improved lighting, better sight lines and a more open space mean? A much better overall experience for the concert goer, having been there myself several times recently. The main ingredient for a good show is the music, and Rooney fits the bill perfectly. This is a band that has experienced its share of highs and lows in a ten year history. The band released its third full length, Eureka, on June 8. Many of the songs are immediately likable, while main songwriter Robert Schwartzman is trying to capture the spirit from the band's prior efforts while building a bridge into the future. Not all of it works all the time, but their live show promises to be a good time for all those in attendance.

The Young Veins and Black Gold set the stage.

Watch a video of "I Can't Get Enough" below.

Rooney "I Can't Get Enough" from Team G on Vimeo.

Polysics "We Ate The Machine"

It's really not my style to review albums, but I'm listening to Polysics latest album, We Ate The Machine, and I'm heading to their show at the Casbah tonight and I thought they deserved the added push, especially since they're playing with Black Gold (see Petro's interview here.

Anyway, I was trying to think about what to write about this album because it is not anything I would normally listen to. It's not mopey and introspective and thought provoking and deep. But it is awesome. Remember that lame saying people used in high school when they thought they were so clever- "Party in your pants and everyone's coming"? That's exactly how this album sounds. It's fun and light while also rocking hard and kicking ass. Thinking back to the last show, maybe I don't need to give the push because that show was sold out and the crowd clearly knew what they were in for. On this album, I'm a fan of "DNA Junction", if only because I'm wondering WTF that means, and the album opener "Moog is Love". By the way, the album is released on MySpace records, so maybe everyone's first friend, Tom, will be there to rock out with all of us.

Either way, I recommend checking out the album and especially checking out the show tonight.

BTW, congrats to Jamie for winning the tickets to the Casbah tonight and to Johnathan who nabbed the Conor tickets.

Contest: Tickets for Black Gold, Polysics, and io echo

Holy Kamolie! More goodness on Sunday!!!

You thought I was kidding, didn’t you? Well I wasn’t, nope, no way. I want to tell you about this super rad band called Black Gold. They are going to be playing the Casbah this Sunday, and its gonna be AMAZING!!! The band is a collaboration of musicians Than Luu and Eric Ronick. These two fine gentlemen have lent their considerable talents to the likes of Panic At The Disco and Ambulance LTD. (Ronick), M. Ward, Rachel Yamagata, and Adam Franklin (Luu). “Wow, that’s pretty cool, but what are they like on the inside” you ask. Well we here at SD:Dialed In we aim to please so here is a li’l interview with Mr. Luu!

SDDI: What’s your favorite band right now:

Luu: Right now it's a tie between Hank Williams, Leslie Gore and Fats Waller- are
they considered bands?

SDDI: Where did you guys record:

Luu: We recorded the album in basically two studios: Eric's studio in Brooklyn
(destroyed due to severe flooding) and our friend Vin's studio in L.A. (now defunct).
Seems like tragedy & destruction follow us everywhere we track.

SDDI: Favorite piece of gear:

Luu: Too many to mention, we're kinda gear geeks. Let's say our most recent
additions to the collection: two vintage Wurlitzer electric pianos which Eric
will be touring with, a 60s all original Gretsch roundbadge drum kit in rare
aqua satin flame finish with matching snare, and a 72' black harmony sovereign
acoustic in all black with gold highlights (natch).

SDDI: Vinyl or 1 and 0:

Luu: Give me vinyl or give me death. Please don’t get us started on our insane
collection of 78s.

SDDI: Favorite guilty pleasure:

Luu: Burritos for breakfast, lunch and dinner, followed by burritos for dessert.
Extra green sauce, please!

Oh man did I not tell you these were solid guys! Green sauce baby, yeah!!! Oh and by the way… when we asked them if we could give away a couple for tickets for the show, you know what they said, …yeah you do… email sddialedin AT gmail DOT com with your full name and phone number and put “green sauce” in the subject line!

One way or another come down and check them at out Sunday at the Casbah opening the night for Polysics and io echo. And check out their new EP Tragedy & Legacy, its sooo good! Man, what a show this is gonna be!!!