Rocktoberfest 2010

Over the weekend, San Diego experienced the first annual (as it is definitely going to continue) Rocktoberfest. Put together by the great minds at FM 94/9, West Coast Tavern, and the Casbah, the event had a strong turnout for what was a pretty gloomy day. The event started at 11 (!!!) and as I understand was lightly attended earlier in the daytime, but by the time I arrived around 4 pm a good crowd has assembled to enjoy the bands split among two stages. It was nice being able to enjoy the day without worries of being too far from home and I definitely look forward to more events like this, put together by local businesses whose interest is in providing a great experience for the community. It really is days like this that you appreciate the amazing community we do have. Everywhere I went I ran into old friends and it was really nice to catch up with so many people, like Tom and Paul from Dynamite Walls (who are really funny with a couple beers and no sleep).

My friend Ryan was one of the beermeister's for the night and I hardly recognized him in his getup (and through my beer goggles). I have to say I was proud that I mostly avoided twitter and though I could've taken more pictures, this event felt more about being in the moment and enjoying what North Park and San Diego have to offer. And though I'm biased (since I have close ties to both the Casbah and West Coast Tavern), I'd say it was a pretty incredible night for the inaugural year. I'm not without feedback (like it probably doesn't need to be a twelve hour event), but feedback is part of what I do. If you have comments, good or bad, feel free to leave them in the comments or shoot me an email and I will see to it that your opinions are heard.

As for the music, I caught Cash'd Out, Fitz & The Tantrums, Get Back Loretta, and The Silent Comedy and I was especially impressed by the amount of people who were unfamiliar with some or all of the bands who participated anyway. I saw a lot of merch being sold and it was another chance for people to see what kind of amazing talent we have in this city.

I'm sorry that I missed the earlier acts, like Little Hurricane, The Styletones, and the Midnight Rivals, but believe me, I didn't need an extra 3 hours of beer drinking, and I was able to catch Midnight Rivals later that night at Eleven.
As I said, my camera was mostly in my purse the duration of the night, but I did grab some video of Fitz because I never quite pull it off at the Casbah when they play. Here are three videos from the band, and if you didn't see my post last week, make sure you watch the band's episode on Live From Daryl's House.

Cash'd Out Wins $20K

Congrats to Cash'd Out who walked away from Viejas' ultimate cover band contest with $20,000. 2nd Place went to Detroit Underground ($8k) and 3rd Place went to Crush ($4k). Apparently people in the audience were not happy that Lady Dottie and The Diamonds didn't place. You can read all of Ed Decker's account of the contest here.

Overdue Newsy Bits: Switchfoot Goes Independent, SDMA, Viejas

I know I haven't posted any Newsy Bits in a while, but all you music types keep telling me shit that is NFB (not for blogging) and I'm over here trying to do my thing, all the while keeping all your little dirty secrets. no fun. boo.

Anyway, there are a couple noteworthy things happening around town that I thought I'd mention.

First, Jon Foreman announced on Thursday that Switchfoot and Sony have parted ways and will now be releasing their music, as well as his solo stuff independently.

greetings everybody!

I've got some exciting news: after several years of trying to make
things work over at Columbia we have officially severed our ties with
sony to pursue making music independently. We are thankful for the
incredible success that our partnership has produced over the years,
yet within this ever changing business there can arise differences in
vision and goals. These differences have now come to a point where we
feel like parting ways would be best for us, and best for sony.

As a hands-on band, we feel so grateful for our newfound freedom. We
are continually dreaming up ways to bridge the gap between the
audience and the stage; this feels like an incredible step in that
direction. A huge thank you to bob, amy, nicole and tim over at
columbia who were there from the beginning. We would also like to
thank our musical family here in the states and abroad for sticking
with us through these columbia years. We couldn't have done it
without you!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

We'll have more information for you as things shape up. In the
meantime, here are several projects already in the works for the next
year:

-four jon foreman solo ep's
(tentatively titled fall, winter, spring, and summer)
-the real sean jon
(a collaboration between jon foreman and sean watkins of nickel creek fame)
-a new switchfoot record in '08
(the first tracks 13 tracks were cut this week!)

For tour dates and more information, check out Switchfoot's blog here.
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I didn't previously mention that the nominees for this year's San Diego Music Awards have been released this week and are now open for public voting. I bullied my way into getting a ballot and I'm pleased to see several of my nominees made the cut (even if for different categories than I chose) and I only didn't mention it earlier because certain people get so batty apeshit pissy about the nominees year after year. Here's the thing...it's not always fair, a lot of people get left out, and bands fall into categories you may not like. Get over it. 90% of those CDs you send in sit unopened in Kevin Hellman's home office. Such is life. Bitch bitch, whine whine. People who say they care about local music would do a better service to the community by actually going out to see local bands every once in a while, contributing something instead of always taking. Anyway, end of rant...go vote for the SDMA's here.
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If you've got an open Sunday evening, consider heading out to Viejas Casino to show some love as local favorites Cash's Out and Lady Dottie and the Diamonds compete for $20,000 in the best cover band competition being held. Tomorrow night are the finals and both are deserving bands, but I'd have to show my love to Lady Dottie for all those Monday nights they've gotten me through at the Tower Bar. The contest finals are at 8 in the Dreamcatcher Showroom.
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that's all the news I can post here, the rest I'll have to keep mum on till I'm given the ok to blab about it all. ciao for now.

Friday Newsy Bits

As I look at my arm with my bar stamps just inside my wrists, I have to say that last night was awesome (and I danced!). I'll get to that shortly, but first, San Diego gossip, news and happenings.
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I got some info about Landlord Jim's. The entire block where the bar is located is rumored to be razed and turned into a parking structure to create needed spaces for City College, the police station and "Smart Corner", the multi use structure being built at 12th & C. Downtown development doesn't come easy or cheaply. The tenants of the apartments above the bar have all been moved, but the building owner is holding out on offers because the developer is trying to undercut the value of the liquor license which the new developer must pay as part of the acquisition costs. The bar is expected to remain open while negotiations continue, so go support your local bar. The bar should be open through at least April/May, but if negotiations and CCDC permitting happen slowly, the bar could remain open indefinitely, even through the end of the year. The bar will pretty much be open till the first wrecking ball crashes through.
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Last night at the Casbah, I bumped into Ben Brewer of the New York band The Exit. Last time we chatted, he wasn't sure if they would stay a bi-coastal band. Cutest story, too...he moved here for a girl and that is all working out well. His band recently joined him here and they recorded 15 songs for a record. Ben will be heading back to New York to record a couple more songs. He is a welcome addition to the local scene, so if you get a chance to catch him solo, I recommend doing so. Two of the newly recorded songs can be heard on The Exit's MySpace page and are the ones that say "demo".
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I failed to mention this earlier, but local Johnny Cash cover band Cash'd Out performed last week at Cane's to a sold out audience. True, its a cover band, but what other local band can sell out Cane's? Cash'd Out has recently acquired Andy Robillard of UV Tigers, GoGoGo Airhart, and several other bands on the drums.
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And speaking of the UV Tigers...I hear that the band is on an indefinite hiatus and will not be playing again until there is a significant amount of new material written. If that happens.
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Local band The Focus Group is recording material. Mitch Wilson (No Knife) is no longer a part of the project, however, as he is looking to get into the production side of music. He has recorded some tracks from Silverbird and is looking to hook up up-and-coming local bands. You benefit by having an awesome musician record a couple tracks FOR FREE, and Mitch benefits by getting some recording under his belt. It's a beautiful simbiotic relationship. Contact me if you're interested and I'll get you his contact info.
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This is a MySpace message from d*Frost, my friend Anthony's band:

THIS Saturday February 3rd, D*FROST and the Fluid Distro Compound will be playing a benefit party in the loving memory of Remy Boothe. For those who didn’t know him, Remy was a great friend of the band and well known in our circle of people… he passed away on 1/1/2007. Tomorrow’s show is STRICTLY to help raise money for funeral costs. All proceeds will make it directly to Remy’s family. If you have a moment sometime tomorrow after 12:00 noon, please stop by, have a beer and enjoy the music we play in remembrance of Remy Booth. May he rest is peace.

The event will be held at 2257 Garnet Ave in Pacific Beach. First kegs get tapped at noon. The bands and DJ will be playing through out the day. Feel free to contact me for additional details. Thanks for your support!

http://www.myspace.com/dfrost
http://www.belligerentproducts.com

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From MySpace: The Southern California oddity, known as the Locust, has decended upon us with announcements of a new full length album and nation wide tour. New Erections, their sophomore release for Anti records will be available March 20th kicking off a month long tour with Cattle Decapitation and Daughters. For more information check out the MySpace profile below.

The Locust tour profile