You Can Wreck My Home Anytime... You Dirty Little Homewreckers...

Give Em Hell

little hurricane | Myspace Music Videos

Okay, so this post isn't going to win me any awards or probably teach you anything new, but If you're new to San Diego, and didn't know, The San Diego Music Award winning duo, Little Hurricane's new record, "Homewrecker" just dropped on itunes and if it doesn't win something at the SDMA's this year, then I'm going to hand them one of mine. (I'm just a pussy-lipped singer/songwriter with open mic generics anyways...) I've already listened to the album thrice, and my ears won't quit making out with my headphones. @LILHURRY's frontman, Tone, has a voice that is about ready to explode, and if you haven't met CC, then you've possibly missed the hottest drummer San Diego's ever known. (I'm totally gonna research chick drummers in SD and do a post on it... so feel free to nominate the hottest chick drummers in the "comments" section.

The best way to describe their sound is to say that they're a mix of dirty blues and california surf. They're similar to the Black Keys, White Stripes, or Cage the Elephant, but with Jon Foreman's (Switchfoot) voice. The album is wicked consistent with great songs like "Sweet Pea", "Homewrecker" and "Give Em Hell". They are a "MUST SEE" whenever they're in town and they'll be playing at SXSW 3 or 4 times this week. (You can see where on their myspace.) They are having their album release at the Casbah on April 2nd with Get Back Loretta, River City, and Low Volts. (Why it's not a "Featured" concert is beyond me... get with it, Casbah...) (9:00 start time, buy your tickets before it sells out.) (Also... if you guys want me to play a tambourine or sell merch... I will... seriously...)

I only have a small critique on the album. I've seen them play live 3 or 4 times, and I know Tone can go off even bigger on his vocals than he showed on these tracks. I would have loved to sit in the studio with them and have him scream into the mic so that it ruined his voice for a month and a half. I feel like he held a little bit of the dirtiness back, but on the other hand, CC did do a great job on her vocals. (I know that's kind of a critique, but I'm a pitch guy, ask Holslin... and even perfect 10's can miss a note or two...)

If they don't follow this album with a live record, I will go on a hunger strike and camp outside of the San Diego Zoo flinging poo at people. (That one was for you, Rosey... You go to the San Diego Zoo too much... Me and Tim Pyles both agree. I'm also not mad that you didn't invite me to SXSW, but still asked me to write in the blog. Whatever.) I'm gonna go ahead and call it now- when their live record comes out, it better win a SDMA or I'll give them my other one.

This album and band are so good, Seth Combs would probably clap once or twice.

Buy it on itunes now.

*no homes were wrecked during the writing of this blog

Seth Combs Gets The Bieb For Charity

I thought I'd posted a link to my photos from last week's fundraiser, but alas, I had not. The party at U-31 got off to a slow start, I imagine you working folk couldn't quite get there at 5, but once it got going, there was a great turnout. A representative from the San Diego Humane Society was on hand to receive the total of $966 in donations (well over the $300 for the hair and $700 for hair/beard/mustache). As party-goers got in on the beard and mustache fun, Rob Deez performed with Josh Damigo as his sidekick, and of course they played the Seth Combs song. As Seth got his hair cut, courtesy of Salon Tonic by stylist Dario, Gregory Page performed a set, followed by Long Live Logos. It was a super fun time and Seth was as good a sport as any. All of this now is even funnier as some media outlets try and get a juicy story out of Josh and Seth in regard to Josh's SDMA acceptance speech which he closed with "and Seth Combs can suck my balls".

Make Seth Combs Get "The Bieb"

I'm very reluctant to align myself with charitable causes, because when it comes down to it, aren't we all worthy of a benefit?

However, tonight, while at the Casbah, my friend (and occasional sddialedin contributor) Bonnie Vanderwater was daring Seth Combs to cut his hair, and I was on board. Bonnie challenged Seth. If Bonnie can raise $300 for the Humane Society, Seth agreed that he would cut his hair like Justin Bieber. So when they were asking me to lay money on the line (my broke, unemployed ass), I wanted to know if that meant the beard, too. For $500 Seth said no. But, if we get $700 worth of confirmed donors, Seth will cut his hair in the style of Justin Bieber AND also shave the beard. So step up, San Diego. No donation is too small. Find me or Bonnie Vanderwater on Facebook. Make a financial commitment. 100% of the moneys raised will go to the San Diego Humane Society and then we can all be free of the threat of attacks from whatever wild animals have made Seth Combs' beard a home. Do it for the animals. Do it for San Diego. Do it for the poor Lesbians who look like Bieber.

Of course, Seth laid down some conditions. All of the money must be donated prior to the cut and shave date, so just saying you'd pay to see it doesn't count. We need cash. I am collecting no money, but I will put you in touch with Bonnie who is accepting responsibility for the collection. This could be really good. Let's do it! You know how to find me. And I know how to find Bonnie. If we get $700, I'm pretty sure we can make Seth's cut and shave happen in a public forum. This could seriously be awesome. It's for the animals. DO IT.

newsy stuffs

The Album Leaf at Street Scene, 2007

Some newsy stuff worth mentioning over the past couple weeks, so here's what I've got. Nothing breaking, but still pertinent if you care about music in San Diego.

At their recent sold-out show at Birch North Park Theatre, The Album Leaf played their last show with the lineup that was consistent over the past 8 years, with Drew Andrews and others venturing off to their own projects. The band performed as a four-piece with Jimmy Lavalle, Matt Resovich, Brad Hall, and drummer James McAllister (who also plays with Sufjan Stevens) at the Memorial Day weekend Lightning In A Bottle Festival in Irvine, billed as headliners. According to the band's twitter account, The Album Leaf will be announcing dates in Australia soon.

Seth Combs gave his final fuck-you to the San Diego Reader when he told writer Chad Deal that he was moving to Maryland to be a farmer. (Sorry, Chad, he gotcha on that one.) His cohorts backed his story when it was fact-checked, and the gossip-hound was left once again confirming a story that had no factual merit. The Reader also used a photo of Seth without permission and without crediting the photog, but even funnier is that you can see Seth's face pre-Scene Wolf.

Last week, new CityBeat music editor Peter Holslin broke the news that the Radio Room was in the process of being sold to Hamilton's/Small Bar owner Scot Blair. Murmurs abound that the new spot will be call 11 (as in "this amp goes to eleven")and will have music 4 nights a week. Scot, I want to work for you. Let's talk.

Local musician Kenseth Thibideau has been known for his impact on the scene with Pinback, Three Mile Pilot, and Sleeping People (among many other projects), is releasing a solo record caled Repetition, being released by Temporary Residence Ltd out on July 20th. You can download the first track, "Black Hole", here. (right click to save)

Wavves, aka Nathan Williams, will be releasing a single via Mountain Dew's Green Label Sound called "Post Acid", followed by a full LP, King of the Beach, on August 3. Read more here.

Seth Combs Calls it Quits with CityBeat

In an emotional tantrum, San Diego CityBeat music editor Seth Combs stormed out of the CityBeat office declaring he's done with it all, throwing files and CDs, pushing old ladies and stomping on babies on his way out.

Oh...wait. I'm not a gossip writer and that didn't really happen. However, it is true that Seth Combs, credited as the Arts & Culture Editor, but also acting as the Music Editor of San Diego CityBeat has resigned his position(s). While there are several possible candidates to take over as Music Editor, the A&C post has been offered to Kinsee Morlan, who formerly held the position before moving to Colorado. She is rumored to be returning to San Diego to accept the offer.

It's no secret that Seth and I have a love/hate "frenemy" relationship. He's publicly criticized me, my writing, and this site, and I've had my moments of bitchy commentary right back at him, but the truth is that we respect one another and though he harshly told me, "Honey, we ain't friends," he's also driven me home when I didn't have a ride, had my back when people talked shit, and in this case, he chose to talk to me about his resignation.

We met up as his dog decided to take a dump on University, and since I don't interview people, he answered all the questions I didn't ask. He's going to stay at CityBeat for at least a few weeks so he doesn't leave them high and dry, getting "all (his) ducks in a row" before he says goodbye. He's tired and his writing has been shit, he claims. As a person who is inundated with music and e-mail and the business of music, I can easily see how a passion can turn into a "job", and frankly it can get tiring, so when Seth says he wants to love music again, I understand where he's coming from. Eventually, he says, he might come back to CityBeat as a freelancer with guest columns or reviews, but for now he wants to take a step away and once again find his voice as a writer.

We talked for a bit, shooting the shit, switching between on and off the record conversations, and while we might not greet nor part with endearing hugs, it's clear my frenemy will move on to great things, wherever or whatever those might be. In the meantime, it will certainly be interesting to see what happens with the weekly rag he leaves behind.

Tuesday Recap: Entourage, Qu'est Que C'est, Persephone's Bees

On a week when I shouldn't be going out, I can't seem to stay home.

My evening started at Confidential for the screening of the season premiere of Entourage. I entered the contest and "won", but apparently so did a million other people, so I was grateful that Seth was able to get me on the list. Let me tell you how fun it is outside a club with 30 people all trying to convince people at the door that they're on the list. Fortunately I was, and had no problem getting in (Thanks to Karen, too!) but this is just one of the many reasons why you will not find me at a club downtown. Seeing one of my favorite shows and the promise of an open bar and I will, as in this case, modify my rules a little, but generally speaking, no downtown for me.



They didn't run the show until around 9:45, but they extended the hosted drinks, so all was good. I'm not gonna spoil the show, but I will say Vince's firing of Ari was no joke. It was actually kinda fun watching a show with that many people in the room, everyone kinda laughing at the same moments. Last time I went to a showing like that was for the finale of Friends, a show I didn't even really watch for it's final 3 or 4 seasons, so it was kinda lame.



As far as Confidential goes, I was prepared to slam it and all the douchebaggery a club like that might attract, but being that it was a special event, the clientele was mixed and the people we talked to were pleasant. I didn't have to wait long for a drink, and my first one was poured decent. There was one bartender flipping bottles and doing stupid bartender showy shit, which wouldn't bother me if only half the alcohol he was pouring actually made it in the glass. I decided to wait extra just to go back to the bartender who knew how to pour. The club itself is very clubby, white leather, red panel lighting, an upstairs to look at all the people below. Not for me but better than I expected. Well, until after the show when some dj started spinning. I would like to let all the dj's out there in on a little secret: There has been lots of new music produced in the last 10+ years. When you play the same shit that was playing when I was in TJ when I was 16, you pretty much suck balls. Get some new records. Hell, get an iPod. Nobody cares. But your music, yeah, pretty much sucks.

After Confidential, I kinda got a wild hair and went to the Casbah. Qu'est Que C'est were already playing and since they opted to have two spotlights beaming from behind them and a fog machine, my pics of them really blow. I'm liking them more and more every time I see them and for the first time, they actually made me think they sounded very Digital Ashy Bright Eyes, which was great for me. Jake was on sound and they sounded fantastic.

Persephone's Bees was the headliner for the evening. I had been to their last show at the Casbah, but since I was registering voters, didn't really get a chance to watch them. Angelina is the Russian born singer from San Francisco who also plays keys. It was nice to see a chick upfront not doing that whole baby voice thing and actually sing, but there was nothing about the performance that particularly stood out for me, either. Well, except that sometimes she sang in Russian. That's not something you hear everyday, I guess.







I realized it was getting late and I've been blowing off so many responsibilities that I slithered out before the set ended. Thanks to both Bens for hooking me up. You guys are the best.
For the record, I didn't get nearly enough sleep before work, and in fact, went through the whole day with inside out undergarments. I seriously cannot wait to get outta town.

I realize this is late, but I found my video of The Noisettes from Sunday night for those of you who didn't make the TV on The Radio show.

Monday Newsy Bits:

Local music controversy or just shit talking? As Lost Companion points out here and here, lots of people are not very happy with some music reviews done in last week's CityBeat, specifically ones by Seth Combs. Did he get stuck reviewing all the shitty bands or does he just really like to talk shit? Here are some of Seth's reviews for you to decide for yourself...

"Ever have to fart really bad and you force it out and end up shitting your pants? That feeling is similar to listening to xxx's CD. It's like Captain Beefheart trying to do minimalist electronica only to find out that in order for said electronica to sound good, this time you have to keep a beat."

"There's got to be more to your music than screaming in unison over rehashed Metal 101 riffs. Somewhere in space, there's a tear in Lemmy's whiskey. "

"The XXX guitarist used to be in Rust, who were briefly signed to a major label and toured with Tool and the Meat Puppets. They weren't that good. Neither is XXX."

"Schmaltzy, barf-inducing wuss-rock with lyrics like “We'll find land with no direction/ Or I'll be swimming 'til I die." Waah, she doesn't love me. Waah, she's fucking another guy. Grow some balls and get some real problems. "

"Remember The Cranberries? Yeah, me neither. "

Read here for more...
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Is your band interested in playing the San Diego County Fair? There is a Battle of The Bands competition happening. Go to Fox6.com or the Fair site for info. The winning band will receive a $1,000 cash prize and priority in booking a performance on the Coors Light Rock On Stage on a high-traffic day. Submit your music by May 12.
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Just wanted to let everyone know my updates might be more sporatic this week because I'm going on vacation with my family. I'll update if and when I can.