FM 94/9 Independence Jam: The Final Post

It's pretty pathetic that I never got around to posting the last of my pics from Independence Jam, but things came up. I don't have much more to say about the show, except that it was awesome. I really appreciated the bands a lot, even Flogging Molly, despite them falling just outside of the boundary of what I normally like. In fact, it was pretty fun in that photo pit with bodies flying over me, and one of the guards asking me if I could take a picture with his camera phone since he wasn't allowed to turn around and watch the band at all. The VIP section was cool, the beer gardens were nice, the field was perfect, and the bands kicked ass. I was not only happy to live where I do, but it made me proud to be a San Diegan.

The Silent Comedy



The Hold Steady



Transfer



Flogging Molly








After the show, I caught a ride with Jake to the Casbah where it was loud and crowded. I watched The Sess, but by the time Firewater was playing, I ran into Abraham and heard from a guy I met when MgmT played the Casbah, so we decided to go meet the band at their hotel with the instructions "Bring whiskey and smokes." Done and done. Abraham and I went to their hotel, security drove us on their golf cart to their room, but when we got there, there were just a couple guys they brought on the road. A few minutes later, they showed up with Erika (U-31) and a couple girls so we chilled out and had a couple beers. Really though, everyone was so tired, so we left as Andrew crawled into bed. Super nice guys. When they were on TV the next night...Craig Ferguson, I think, all I could think was, "I've seen him in his chones." Funny.

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Louis XIV & Transfer @ House of Blues, 4.10.08

Wednesday night I went to catch Birds of Avalon at Bar Pink Elephant. I saw them last time they were in town and definitely wanted to see them again. They've got this great 70s vibe to them...a little Sabbath and a little Zeppelin...We hung at a back table, however, so I didn't take pictures. It was my first time seeing a show at Bar Pink Elephant and I was a little disappointed. The sound is so dampened by the carpet and the ceiling tiles that it sounds mushy and even when the band was totally rocking out, it felt like there was just no energy. It would've been a show better suited for the Tower Bar, so no diss on the band at all, I'm just not gonna be in any rush to see bands at Pink Elephant, which is unfortunate because I love the bar itself.

Thursday night found me at the House of Blues for the Louis XIV and Transfer. I missed Blackout Party and Los Dos Bros because I worked till almost 8, but was there well in time for Transfer. I have to preface this by giving props to the House of Blues. Anyone who has read this site for some time knows that I had my share of complaints about the venue, particularly in their security and search policies. I've been there a few times now and they've quit the wanding, the searching of purses, the confiscation of cameras. Security might still flash their flashlights on you if they see you videotaping or using flash photography from the audience, but that's a huge change from before, and now I'm really looking forward to seeing the National on that stage. I guess me and the House of Blues have kissed and made up.

Anyway, Ray Suen got me a photopass, so I was happy to see Transfer own that huge stage and to be able to take pics from up close though I guess whoever was doing the lights wanted to highlight Matt and Shaun's white suits by almost only using red lighting which sucks for my camera, but it is what it is. This was Shaun Cornell's debut with the band so I was especially happy to see him joining the boys.



(more after the jump)


They sounded great as ever and they really belong on a stage of that size, so we're pretty lucky that they still grace our smaller San Diego venues because that might not always be the case.









After their set, Natalie and I went upstairs to the bar for a beer and to catch up. That's another thing about House of Blues that has changed since I had my own little personal boycott...when entering the venue they give you a stamp for re-entry, something that should've been the policy from the get go, but at least they came around.

We got caught talking for a while, and missed Louis XIV's first song, but were still able to take some pics for the next two songs. The guys in Louis are definitely performers and their crowd ate it up. I only wish that I could've gotten some pics of Ray since he is moving on from Louis, but he was on the side of the stage out of the range of most of the lights.

Anyway, here's what I did get...






After the show, I made my way to the Beauty Bar and watched The Happy Hollows, but I'll post those pics later.

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just a note

I promise I'll catch up with photos from this week's shows soon...it's been a pretty amazing week of music for me, which has been great since I was so bummed out about being sick last weekend. I'll be getting to posting pictures from Jose Gonzalez and Mia Doi Todd at the Women's Club on Monday, Steve Poltz & The Truckee Brothers on Tuesday, and Pennywise at the Casbah last night.

A side note, if you went to the CityBeat party at Anthology last night and were wondering what happened to Transfer- Matt is incredibly sick, so send good thoughts and hopes for a speedy recovery. I went to Anthology for about 12 minutes, but $9 mixed drinks, especially when they're in tiny disposable plastic cups, just don't do it for me and frankly the place made me a bit claustrophobic. It was funny how I transitioned immediately to the Casbah considering it was full of bros, yet I still preferred it over the Anthology vibe. I guess there really is no place like home.

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Newsy Bits

I had a whole list of things I'd been meaning to post about, and now that I finally have time to write, I can't think of most of them. Maybe they'll come back to me. I'm sick as a dog and I don't know where it came from, but it killed my weekend. I missed Silent Comedy last night, and today I didn't even get Easter brunch with my family and I'm missing both of Film School's performances today.

• When The North Atlantic played their final shows last year, two of the three members picked up and moved to Chicago. Those two parts, Jason Hendrix and Jason Richards are now back in action with a new project called Big Science. Cullen covered it on his blog here and you can check out the new project on MySpace here.


• Drew Andrews is featured in today's Union Tribune. You can read the full George Varga article here.


• The annual CityBeat demo review issue will be distributed on Wednesday and celebrated with a party at Anthology. Transfer, Get Back Loretta, and Sea of Cortez will be performing. The party is $10, but if you sign up for CityBeat's RedList (or reenter if you're already subscribed), you'll be on the guest list. Click here for entry.

I'll write more when it comes back to me and attempt to get at least some of this week's listings up, but just in case- Don't froget Jose Gonzalez is doing a special show at the San Diego Women's Club in Hillcrest with Mia Doi Todd. It's early (listing says 6:30 pm) so don't miss it. Info available on the Casbah site here.

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Weekend Recap: Transfer, Delta Spirit, Port O'Brien, Morning Benders, After Party

It was quite a weekend and I just finished cleaning up my house that was looking pretty skanky after a late night after party, but I'll get to that in a sec.

Since Thursday was a big night, I came home from work and took a well deserved deep sleep. I was torn about what to do and where to go because there were quite a few great shows around town, but I slept a bit longer than intended, had a late dinner, and got sucked into Joe Scarborough being his usual obnoxious self on his appearance on Real Time With Bill Maher. By the time all was said and done, I decided to just walk down the street to catch Transfer. I decided to leave my camera at home since I have a gazillion pictures of the guys rocking out the Ken Club from the past. This time I hung back because I lost my earplugs at Chaser's the night before, but the sound there is so good these days, I didn't need them anyway. Jeremy isn't playing bass anymore, so there was a new guy filling in but the band still sounded tight as ever. They played right up until the bar closed and I alternated between the band room and downing some red headed sluts at the bar. It was a chill time and I was in a good mood. I chatted with Lyn out front for a bit then walked home and unintentionally stayed up til 6:30 a.m. I somehow didn't realize that I'd missed two weeks of In Treatment on HBO so I watched until I was all caught up.

Saturday I had planned on going to the skating event at the Clairemont YMCA, but my parents called and reminded me that it was my brother in law's birthday, so instead we all headed down to Point Loma Seafoods. (Why "seafood" is pluralized, I cannot say) The food was delicious and the day was beautiful. After food and cake, we went on a family shopping trip which was actually quite entertaining, then we all went back to my sister's to hang out and have a couple beers.

From there, my sister, Johanna and I went to Ray At Night. I've always planned on going, but something always seems to come up, so this was my first time and we had a good time strolling through the shops and galleries. From there, she dropped me at the Casbah.

I was glad to get there in time for The Morning Benders because they're a great band and I felt bad for them that the crowd was pretty thin when they played the Beauty Bar a couple months back. They're about to head out on tour with The Kooks, so I'm glad to have caught them at a venue I love, since I'll likely not be going to their Kooks show at HoB.




After the band finished, the patio was packed with people and we were enjoying the night hanging on the zebra bench just kinda people watching and shooting the shit, bouncing from the patio to the back bar, back to the patio. Before I knew it, Port O'Brien was onstage. I asked if anyone had heard of them and my friends had not, but from their first song, I had to see what was going on inside because they sounded amazing. The band rocked. Paco Diamante suggested that they had a Neil Young sound, but I was taking in with the sheer energy onstage and the banjo just added something really unique. At one point Van, the singer, got pretty pissed because he wanted his sound adjusted and the sound guy was nowhere to be found or he was on IM chat or some shit. He brushed it off and continued their set, but in talking to him after, he was upset, and I guess had some words with Chad. He was bummed that Jake wasn't doing their sound which seems to be a recurring theme with bands- Jake is in high demand these days and is going on the road with Delta Spirit and a couple other bands in the next couple months. Anyway, here are the pics:









Delta Spirit was up last and the venue was packed. I stayed on the patio for much of their set, talking to the Morning Benders and Port O'Brien.



I made my way in to try and take pics but all I could do was get a spot over near the side exit so they didn't really come out, and Natalie was up front taking photos, so check her site for better pics. Anyway, we were supposed to leave midset to catch Blackout Party at the Ken Club. Abraham was lagging, however, so Paco and I left without him. We stopped at my house, since I knew people would likely come over, I asked Paco to vacuum quickly while I straightened up a tiny bit.

We went to the Ken, did a couple shots, then made our way in to see the band. They sounded so clean and I was in a great mood. Seemed like everyone else was, too, so it made for a great time.






Abraham finally showed up and we all hung out until the bar was shutting down. I knew Abraham and Dan were coming over, but I didn't expect half the bar to come home with us. Not that I minded, of course, but we were up till the wee hours and the drinking didn't stop until it was all gone. And I mean ALL GONE. Every bottle and can of beer, a whole bottle of Jack, half a bottle of vodka, and any tequila I had...all gone. Eventually I went to bed and some people crashed in my living room. When I woke up on Sunday, my house was filthy. I'm hoping my recycling guy comes by soon because my recycle bins are to the max with bottles and cans. I was pretty lazy, however, and caught up with some of my other posting, so I saved the cleanup till tonight, washing every shot glass, digging cigarette butts out of my sink, dusting, vacuuming, and finding random glasses under my furniture, in my bathroom, in the bedroom. Someone left a shirt, which I think is pretty funny if someone went home shirtless, and I have someone's broken cell phone, too, so if you were here and lost a Verizon with no LCD screen, give me a holler.

It's nearing 10 pm on Monday and I can't decide if I should do my weekly listings or head out...it's Andy's b-day at Wit's End, there's mechanical bull riding at U-31 with Laura Jane, and Chaser's and the Casbah have good shows. dilemma...

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Transfer <3's Kyle Proehl

Kyle Proehl wrote a quasi-Pitchfork review about Transfer's new EP a few weeks back on SignOnSanDiego's Street. In turn, Transfer made Kyle their "fan of the month" and gave him a beard of his very own. Just a little morning fun....

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Tonight! Casbah! Transfer! Yeah!

Sorry, John Reis, I'm gonna have to catch you tomorrow. Know where I'll be tonight?

If you, too, plan on coming, bring some cash money so you can pick up the new EP. I don't know that any album could capture their live show, but the EP is pretty awesome and comes with a couple songs for download off their site. And, by the way, tsk tsk to Kyle Proehl for giving away the site. Not cool, Dude. Not cool at all.

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New Years Eve 2007/ New Years Day 2008

By sunrise, everyone was gone and I spent the day preparing for New Year's Eve, stocking up on some beer and some mixers, cleaning, and just relaxing. Which was just what I needed before the big night ahead.

When it was finally time to leave the house, I saw Matt through the window at Bleu Boheme, so I had to say hi and have one of his delicious vodka mojitos, which was the perfect drink to start my night. Poor Matt, however, was slammed while simultaneously being hit on by every guy at the bar, so I finished my drink and promised to come by again later.

After the drink, it was Ken Club time. The bar was packed because the band side wasn't open yet, but I made my way over there after procuring a drink, because Brett wanted me to take pics of the room. I've been saying how Bodie has been fixing up the bar lately. He started on the bar side with the floors and replacing the vinyl along the bar, a couple weeks ago he had new booths put in the band room, and he's working on the floors at the moment, but I was so stunned at how pretty the room looked since over the prior week, he'd painted it a warm shade of red. I got to taking pics right away.

The bar was still a little too crowded, so a friend and I decided to go back to Bleu Boheme for another drink there. I guess the time was passing faster than I thought. I didn't realize we'd take so long, so I'm sorry we ended up missing Get Back Loretta entirely. Vitro had canceled because the drummer was stuck in a midwest snowstorm, so we arrived in time to see Microphone Mike who pretty much kicks ass on stage, schtick or not.






I didn't bust out the camera too much during the show, but there was a lovely midnight toast, then Transfer hit the stage and brought it down. I thought it was funny how many people were racing to be somewhere else after midnight, like there was this frenzy to get somewhere better. I, on the other hand, was exactly where I wanted to be.

Transfer played pretty much right up until last call, and afterward the band and a bunch of friends came over to my cozy apartment where we drank for a bit. Then everyone headed off to Black Box, but I opted to stay home. Todd came over from the bar as everyone was leaving and we chilled out for a bit watching tv. He had to work at the bar in the morning, so we crashed out and he was off to work a few hours later. The result of my late night was a chill out day. I woke up early and cleaned up the house a bit, then crawled right back into bed.

Later, my parents picked me up and we went to PB to hang with my sis and bro, and of course, Johanna, who was all giggles. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the end of one great year and to start off another.

Happy New Year, Party People

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Transfer & Music For Animals @ Beauty Bar 12/28/07

I went to the Casbah on Wednesday and caught Spell Toronto and Buckfast Superbee, but I left my camera battery in the charger at home, so I didn't take pics, and in all honesty, it was one of those great nights for good conversation on the smoking patio. I will note that Spell Toronto did a cover of the Enrique Iglesias song "Hero" that was done a little too well to be ironic.

Thursday night I played Adam Gimbel's stupid music trivia at the Whistle Stop where we were pained with the task of watching video from a bunch of Adam's archived performances from 2002. All 45 minutes of the tape. Then we were subjected to naming all the artists from 91X's best 91 songs of 1983, the 2006 top 50 artists from Billboard, and the number one song for each week of 2007. I hopped on Larry's team, but unfortch we came in second to Andrea's team, who I am convinced miscalculated our score. (just kidding, Adam & Andrea...it was fun. really.) After the Whistle I was off to Kadan to talk to a couple friends for my next CB column, but after writing till 4 am found out it won't publish till the 9th so if I get the go ahead from my editor, I'll post the article here, since it's kinda time sensitive.

Anyway, that meant Friday I was ready to let loose. I got to the bar early because I wanted to hang out with Erika before throngs of people filled the bar and I hadn't seen her in a while. I wanted to catch her before the Erika Era comes to a close at the Beauty Bar.

I've seen Music For Animals at least once, possibly twice, and think they're great. They have a lot of friends in the area, so we can only hope they keep coming back. They put on a rockin show. Their drummer apparently missed a flight or something, so Cooper and Ismael filled in for the set and both are so great there was no evidence that they'd only learned the songs 15 minutes before hitting the stage.

The bar was packed by the time Transfer started. Some guy was nice enough to let me squeeze up front for some pics, but I left midway through the set because I didn't wanna miss Sweet & Tender Hooligans at the Casbah and I know I'll be seeing Transfer again on NYE. Still, here are some of the pics. The band killed it, just like they always do. If anyone in SD gets "rock god" status, I'd have to say Matt deserves it fo' sho'.

When I left midset, there was a line outside of about 20 people waiting to get in. Then I was off to the Casbah, which deserves its own post.

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Are We Already Planning For New Years Eve??

Catdirt posted a blog about SignOnSanDiego's NYE listings and I have to say I agree with him, but I'm pretty anti-New Years generally. I prefer a small dinner and celebratory glass of champagne with family and friends, but I also have the good fortune of living a block from the Ken Club. So this is not to say I won't be overindulgent, just that I won't be dropping some absurd amount of money around strangers. Instead, I'll be drinking my NFL vodka tonics in the bar that I love the most. In the past, the Creepy Creeps and Deadbolt have been known to be the regular NYE bands at the Ken, but this year, I'm especially excited. Also, it will be a good chance for people to see all the improvements Bodie has been making to the club. I don't know if it will all be done, but you can at least check out the new booths and bar on the band side. Hopefully the new sound system will be ready to go.

New Year's Eve at the Ken Club featuring (subject to change):

Transfer


Get Back Loretta


Vitro

Microphone Mike


Bring your sleeping bags if you need to crash on my living room floor. It's gonna be a great night.

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Friday Recap: Pt 2 Predicates CD Release @ Scolari's

After the Epicentre and after grabbing some dinner, I headed to Scolari's. The first band, Beatmo, was still playing, and when their crowd demanded "one more song" they gave it to them, which was fine and dandy for their fans but was pretty rude to the other bands as it put the whole evening behind...the Drowning Men didn't start until 1. I didn't really watch them at all because I was outside, but they definitely had their own crowd dancing their asses off.

I was there for The Predicates. I've been really enjoying their CD since they gave it to me a couple weeks back, but even more than that, they're really nice people so I wanted to show support.

I don't know if anyone remembers the local band The MacAnanys, but Greg's voice is a lot like Ryan's ... I guess it also reminds me a little of Craig from Hold Steady though the style is really different. Erika assists with backup vocals. Greg kept commenting how sloppy they were, but we had fun watching them, especially with his witty banter between songs.









After they finished, The Drowning Men set up, but like I said, they got started really late, and I had intended to get back to the Ken Club, so I didn't stick around even though I really like the band a lot. I headed home and went to the Ken Club with barely enough time to order a Heineken. I chatted with Matt from Transfer until the lights came up and they scooted everyone out of the bar. It was a nice ending to what was a great evening. I only wish I could've done more. I would've liked to have been at the Beauty Bar for Republic of Letters and to wish Nick a happy birthday in person and I heard the show at the Whistle Stop was great, too. Yeah, tell me again there's no local scene.

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Saturday Night: Transfer @ The Ken Club

I properly prepared my house in the off chance that there would be strays hanging at my house either before the show at the Ken Club or after. To me, that translates to dusting, vacuuming, straightening up the bathroom, putting out the recycling, doing my dishes, and loading the fridge with an 18 pack of Budweiser bottles, and an 18 pack of MGD (because I like to see if the choices make a difference), and a bottle of Makers and Smirnoff.

Matt called and came over. We had a couple drinks before we headed to the bar. We got there while the opening band was playing but never really made it over to catch them. Then there were drinks to be had, friends to see, and before we knew it, a few of us had to head back to my house to use the bathroom to avoid the line (and the messes) at the Ken. So we did...came to my house, had more drinks (and shots) and by the time we made it back, we'd missed Roses On Her Grave (sorry, Nate.)

I was a few drinks in and went to the bar to order a drink. I didn't think any of the bartenders noticed me standing there, but suddenly Jeff and Rob both presented me with my usual drink. "Uh, can I have a pint glass?" Suddenly I'm paying for both drinks and pouring them into a pint glass. Apparently, this created the illusion to my friends that I was drinking water. In my head I knew I was drinking 90 proof water.

I didn't go to the Ken Club with the intention of taking pictures, but get my blood a little thin, and even with my point and shoot, suddenly I think I'm a mega photog and I went a little crazy. Fortunately the band had their own lighting and other peeps were taking pics, too, so hopefully I didn't ruin anyone's night by being the chick with a camera, but damn...I took a lot of pictures.



Transfer was amazing as always, but this show seemed particularly special because the band was leaving to England less than 36 hours later. In a way, maybe not to everyone, but I felt this feeling that our little secret was getting out...that Transfer is on their way across the pond and maybe when they come back they'll be too big to play the Ken Club again. Or they will play here again, but it will be some huge deal and there won't be any space to move in the bar that I call home. Or maybe that's what I hope will happen...I'm not really sure. But the band rocked it and I had a great night at the Ken Club. Here's evidence that the band did, too. (and they didn't punch me for the 100+ flashes of my camera)

















After that double drink, there were more shots and tons of random craziness at the bar and outside. So many friends there, and I met so many people, and I was glad to be in the safety of "home". Thank God I didn't have to control myself in any way and I took full advantage of the night.

A while back, someone made some shirts for the Ken Club, I guess in hopes that Brett would want to sell Ken Club merch; I was lucky enough to get one (albeit two sizes too big) and the shirts seem to capture and relish the hate that some people feel for the bar with a slogan: "Ken Club- Always Pouring Controversy". They made a special one for Rob, in his Raiders colors, and I couldn't resist taking a picture of it.



After the show it was time to meander back home. I offered up the after party but everyone was going to Nate's. I opted to stick in the 'hood and walked home.

As I did, I noticed a couple guys across the street from my place, hanging out with a bottle of Jaeger. I'm always up to meeting neighbors, so I did the neighborly thing and grabbed three Buds from my fridge and joined them across the street. After a while talking, I learned that they lived a couple blocks away and after being silly in the street (they put signs in the middle of the street and laughed as cars drove around or turned down the block to avoid the signs entirely), I convinced them that they'd soon be arrested if they didn't quit their antics, and I invited them over.

Now believe me, at this point I was buzzed but not out of it, and my guard was up. I wasn't just bringing anyone over, but these guys were in the military and proud of it. Being the uber lefty liberal that I am, I don't get the chance to talk to military dudes, so I took this opportunity to talk and rant and listen and I really learned a lot from talking to a couple guys who soon will be shipped off to Iraq, to gain some perspective and opinion and fret over the lives lost and the fight that is being fought and they were cool to indulge me. We hung out far beyond sunrise, messing around on MySpace, watching bad tv, and me introducing them to my indie music while they wondered why I'm not into their country music. Call it "reaching across the aisle".

Anyway, all in all it turned out to be a really spectacular night. A night that didn't end until well beyond 10 am. A night that meant there was no way I was making it to the Polish festival with my family. A night that gave me a better appreciation for an amazing hometown band, a better appreciation for my Ken Club family, and a better understanding why two twenty-somethings have to fight and pretend to believe in a war that they don't actually believe in, an understanding why people don't vote ("Doesn't matter who wins, he's our Commander in Chief and we have to go where we're sent either way".)

I crawled into bed and appreciated once again the beauty of one thousand count cotton sheets and couldn't help but think about all the guys out in the middle of nowhere, fighting for something nobody will ever understand, laying on dirt, and if I believed in God, I'd say I'm blessed, but I don't, so I'll just call it luck. Or something.

Get that perspective much? Probably not. Being an insomniac clearly has its advantages.

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Transfer Headed To The UK

San Diego, represent!

Transfer Announces Fall Tour of United Kingdom

California, US - Rock Band partners with Vib Gyor of Leeds, UK on Fall Tour.


San Diego, CA, August 23, 2007 – TRANSFER is excited to announce a fall 2007 tour of the United Kingdom. A highly anticipated tour for the San Diego band, they will be reunited with the explosive rock of Leeds, UK band Vib Gyor for a two week trek across England.

Opening in Sheffield, on October 19th, the tour hits major English markets including Leeds, Manchester, London, and Liverpool before closing in Stockton at the Georgian Theatre on October 27. Additional cities and dates will be added, and are available by visiting www.myspace.com/transferband.

Show goers can expect a high energy show, blending a dynamic spectrum of thoughtful rock & roll and gritty guitars with emotionally charged vocals. TRANSFER, a four piece, consists of Matthew Molarius on guitar and vocals, Jeremy Chambers on bass, Jason Cardenas on guitar, and Michael Cooper on drums.

Having spent the majority of 2006 & first half of 2007 touring the American south and northwest in support of their critically acclaimed debut LP Faded Signal, TRANSFER found time to take home a coveted 2006 San Diego Music Award for "Best Alternative Album", receive a 07' nomination for "Best Rock Band", land a song on Sony Playstation's "MLB the Show", appear on MTV2's "Bands on the Rise", while receiving steady airplay on San Diego, CA stations 94.9 (KBZT) and 91X (XTRA).

Maya Kroth of the San Fransisco Weekly adds, "Singer Matt Molarius channels Jeff Buckley's tortured vibrato throughout, while the songs run the gamut from ambient, slide-guitar jams to big, fuzzed-out rockers, a range that should appeal to fans of Built to Spill and Pinback…San Diego's TRANSFER is already a fan favorite in its home town and deserves to get noticed with this debut full-length."

Visit www.transferband.com or www.myspace.com/transferband for up to the minute tour news, information, and dates.

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Independence Break Recap: Avenue Q, Ken Club, BBQ, Padres

I don't know about you, but I'd like a couple more random Wednesdays off from work in the future. How nice was that? Sorry to those of you who had to work, we office slaves appreciate you bartenders, retail workers, vendors at Petco Park, and even the trolley security who called me "ma'am" while scolding me. I hope you all got paid triple time.

I can't say it all started off well. On Tuesday I was let off work early, only to find my bike with a flat. Fortunately Pennyfarthings was open and took care of me quick like and I was on my merry way (a new tube for $7!). A short nap later and I was on the phone finding out that someone has stolen my identity and attempted to make credit card purchases at a Sears in Leon, Mexico. Fortunately, Visa can be pretty smart and declined the charges.

After sorting that out and cancelling my account, I was back on my way downtown, scored some princess parking, then bumped into the House Party Girls, Amanda and Heather, out in front of Spreckels while waiting for Andrea. I got my tickets to Avenue Q from will call and Andrea and I found our way to our cheap seats in the terrace level of Spreckels which were so high, it took a few minutes to get used to the visual perspective. Chris (Republic of Letters) and Stephanie were there, too, so we had a little party up there.

Avenue Q lives up to every piece of hype you've ever heard or read about it. The only hard thing is that I keep wanting to tell people about it, but I'm like that annoying person who tells you the end of the movie, so I'm not gonna blow anything here, but assure you that (1) the puppets are potty-mouthed, but it's not gratuitous and it's used appropriately and (2) there is definitely "full puppet nudity". I have not laughed so hard since the first time I saw "There's Something About Mary" and caught myself slapping the knee of the guy next to me. With songs like "It sucks to be me", "Schaudenfreude", and my personal favorite, "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist", even if you're not a fan of traditional musicals, you should appreciate this one. The really incredible thing is how there are only seven people onstage, and three of them are sans puppets, but some of them handle two to three puppet characters seamlessly. It's particularly relatable to 20- and 30- somethings who are still struggling with "growing up" and finding your place in the world...basically everyone who reads this blog.

For your discounted tickets to Avenue Q, join Goldstar Events and get yours. The show runs through August 5 and discounted tickets are usually sold on a week by week basis. Also, better seats are also available at the 45% off discount rate if the cheap seats aren't your style. And, ahem, bring a flask.



The show runs a couple hours. After the show it was time to get to the Ken Club for Transfer and the Apes of Wrath. Sorry about the miscommunication, some of the posters for the show mentioned a third band, "Sea of Cortez" when in fact "Vulgar Herd" ended up playing. I missed them, but Chris is also the sound guy for the Ken Club. He hasn't been around much lately because his other full-time gig is at Humphrey's Backstage Lounge, but on this night, he played and did sound.

As far as the show goes, you're gonna get a hell of a lot better review of it if you go to Cullen's post about it.

Cullen

And since we were next to each other most of the show, our photos aren't much different, though I'll still post a couple. What is different is that he's a musician and knows wtf he is talking about so go read his review.

Apes of Wrath

Transfer

Let me just say, I have lived in Kensington for seven years and been going to the bar as long as I've lived there, and in seven years, I have NEVER seen the Ken Club like that. It's been crowded before...every New Year's Eve is pretty nutty, and certain bands draw huge there, like the Spits, but this was out. of. control. Not in a bad way, I definitely had a good time, but I was glad to have left my hoodie at home. And it wasn't one of those shows that's crowded but half the crowd is ordering waters...this was a drinking crowd. So much so that the bartenders had to use plastic cups for a while until it got a little less hectic. Between Apes of Wrath and Transfer, Brett actually had to stop allowing people into the band room who hadn't already been in. At that point he asked me to take over the post and for about 20 minutes I got the fun job of watching the door and telling people they couldn't get in. Eventually the band started and the few people still waiting were able to pay their $8 and go in, but it only escalated the temperature of the band room that much more.

My stalker, Lynn

I'm not so into sweaty crowded rooms...I've had my share at the old Soma or friends garages and whatnot back in the day, so I only watched about half the sets of both bands. More interesting, and as Cullen pointed out, was that the crowd was different than a typical show, which kinda gives me hope that more people care about music in this town than I previously believed.

Anyway, it was a good night at the bar for sure, everyone buzzed with the energy of people who could drink without consequences on a Tuesday.

After the show, there was mass exodus of people heading to a liquor store for after parties and whatnot. A couple friends came to my house and not surprisingly, it was sunrise before I went to sleep.

My 4th of July was then spent at an afternoon BBQ at my parents' house until I hopped on the trolley to head to the Padres game with Sara. It was close to one of the most boring games I've ever been to, though it was a nice finish with the Pads loading the bases in the 9th to score a forced run at home off a dropped ball by the Marlins catcher for the win. The whole point of going was that I expected fireworks and there were none which was lame. From the game we traversed downtown to Sara's in Cortez Hill, watching the Embarcadero's fireworks from near the post office, which is to say we didn't really see shit. It was all ok, though. Can't complain about the day off. I was tired, she took me home, and it was sleepytime. Now it's time to prep for the real weekend.

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