Saturday/Sunday Night: Ken Club, Scolari's, Casbah

I learned something important on Saturday. Never plan a party when everyone around you is tipsy. I decided on Friday night that I'd have a little wine party at my house on Saturday, but with Christmas around the corner and everyone already locked into plans, my "party" ended up being Jason and I watching Elf on TV while snacking on cheese and crackers accompanied by a bottle of wine. No complaints, but perhaps advanced warning would be better in the future. We decided after the movie to hang out at the Ken Club, where the bar was having a Christmas party of their own, though that was only lightly attended as well. My friend Simon had driven into town from Portland, so he met us, and then Jason left to the Alibi. Simon and I decided to check out the benefit for Riki Watkins at Scolari's. She's the girl who was killed on Sunday morning in the accidental shooting in South Park and she was a bartender at Kadan, so friends threw together a benefit to help her family with funeral costs. By the nature of the event, calling it "fun" would be inaccurate, but it was nice to see how many people came out to show support for the cause. I'll have more to say about that soon, I'll keep y'all posted. From Scolari's, Simon and I went back to my pad and I let him crash so he didn't have to sleep in his car, and come Sunday, once he was gone, I was happy to stay home and relax for the greater part of the day.

I was gonna just slum all night, but Petro and Kris were going to the Casbah so we went down to check out the free FM 94/9 show at the Casbah.

Action Andy and The Haunted Honky Tonkers were great with their rockabilly blues, and Buzz Campbell & Hot Rod Lincoln did more of the same, and I flashed back to when I used to seek them out with friends in high school so we could go swing dancing.

We only stayed for a couple songs by The Stranger's Six but Aaron definitely has his rock star stage swagger, and the bar filled out while they played. I would've liked to stay, but I knew I had to get up early on Monday to get ready for the game, so it was nice to finally get a full night's sleep.

Wednesday Night Recap: The Stranger's Six CD-Release w/ The Transit War @ Lestats

I was quite looking forward to spending a quiet night at home last night, but I got an e-mail inviting me to go to The Stranger's Six CD release party with The Transit War, and I decided that it was time to finally check out these two bands who play all the time but somehow I've never seen. Plus, the show was at Lestat's, so how could I not go the 8 or so blocks from my house?

I arrived around 8:45 and there was a line outside of about 40 people. Maybe more, I'm not a good judge of that sort of thing. I went around back and after reading the blurt in the Reader (where Ken Leighton totally ripped off my blog), I listened to a couple songs in soundcheck. When they finally opened the doors to the crowd, I went back outside and introduced myself to Aaron from The Stranger's Six. He was super nice and accommodating, and made sure I didn't have problems getting in. He asked how my day was which evolved into a conversation about day jobs and what the band members do irl. (that's 'in real life' to you who don't know) Aaron is a graphic designer, and there's a waiter, two are handymen, and I think he said the last one works at a coffee shop. One shouldn't talk too much before performing, so I headed in and just then, The Transit War started their set.

I had no idea Lestat's could rock out like that...I've only been aware of acoustic or unplugged type performances there. It made me wish for a second that I was 17 so I could fully appreciate an intimate all ages venue with good lighting, great sound, and two bands I would've definitely had crushes on back then.

From the very first song, I was pulled in by The Transit War. I liked the contrast of the dual vocals, where one ventures just to the brink of emo the other pulls him back. They were just good, solid "alternative rock" which was definitely a change of pace for me since most of the rock bands I tend to see draw heavily from the 70s. I enjoyed them so much, I hadn't noticed how full the room had become or how hot it was in it.

After cooling off outside and refreshing my beverage, The Stranger's Six started and I somehow managed to squeeze in up front, kneeling on the floor so as not to piss off the whole room of people I just cut in front of. Again, from the first song I was pulled into the music as was the crowd who seemed to know and sing along to a lot of the songs they played.

CityBeat called them "a gothy rock band with big, mainstream hooks, like Unwritten Law meets My Chemical Romance," and while I agree with the big hooks, I didn't get anything gothy from what I saw. On top of that description, I would add that they were a pleasure to watch, a pleasure to listen to, and after the show, a pleasure to have cocktails with at the Ould Sod. While their press photos are meant to appeal to MCR/P!@tD/Fall Out Boy types, I'm glad I reserved judgment until I saw them. I can see how they fit that audience, but they don't lose me like those bands do because the vocals never hit that whine that so many of those do. My CD is on its way, but if it's even half as good as their live show, I will have no complaints.

If you weren't at the show, you missed out big time, because Aaron got naked.

Just kidding. He was wearing a tank top ("I'm bringin it back," he said) but I kinda like the naked look of this pic. Apologies to Luke, the other guitarist, I just didn't manage to get a pic of you.

Upcoming In and Around San Diego

Not Local: Laura Veirs is playing the Casbah in June. Click here for a review that'll make you wanna check her out.

Local: The Strangers Six are having their CD Release party tonight at Lestat's. The album is streaming on fuse.com for a limited time here and you can enter a contest to win a signed guitar here. More info here.

Not Local: The Clientele will be playing at the Casbah on May 22. For a short Philadelphia show review, click here.

Local: The Daily Aztec has a feature on Grand Ole Party here. If you can handle the PB crowd, check them out at the Beach to Brewery Festival this weekend at the main Karl Strauss distribution center.

Not local: Lavendar Diamond is making their only San Diego appearance at M-Theory on Saturday. Here's a vid for your pleasure.

this has got to be the laziest posting ever.