Things To Do: May 25-28, 2007

Among all the parties and BBQs this weekend, you should have no trouble finding a good time this Memorial Day Weekend. There's a lot of free or cheap stuff, too, so it shouldn't be too rough on the budget. On Sunday alone, you could theoretically eat two full meals without spending a dime (although you'll need a beer to go with John Johnson's awesome BBQ at the Tower Bar or with the free food at the Casbah for Jivewire/One Nation Under A Groove.) I have no set plans because there's just too much to choose from, so have a great weekend and check back in on Tuesday.

Friday, May 25, 2007:

• SummerBeat (City Beat Summer Guide Issue Party) @ Lafayette Hotel 6-9pm
• The Flesh, Swedish Models @ Beauty Bar
• Lost Companion International, SayVinyl, Lights and Sirens, Doomsday Device @ Ken Club
• The New Addiction (CD Release), Spell Toronto, Roadside Affair, The Lost @ Zombie Lounge
• Cash'd Out, Cotton Fever @ Chaser's
• Batwings, Evening Episode, Red Host, Barfer @ Scolari's
• Dirty Sweet, Get Back Loretta, Silverbird @ Casbah
• Erykah Badu @ Humphrey's By The Bay
• The Robin Henkel Band @ Lestat's
• Buddy Akai @ Wave House (art/movie showcase)
• Young Love & 18+ Dance Party @ House of Blues ($12)
• Gayle Skidmore, Zosia @ Vinbladh's
• Tussle, Yacht, Barfer, History of Premature Burial @ Ché Café
• Her Duchess The Grace @ Tower Bar
• Common Sense, Big Provider, DJ 74 @ Belly Up
• Roxy Jones, Trash Can Fires @ Undisclosed House Party in Golden Hill. Hit them up for info.
• Ded Pigeons, Behind The Wagon, The Ancient Surprise, Continental Kings @ O'Connell's
• Psydecar @ Winston's
• Agua Dulce, Lexington @ 710 Beach Club
• The Big Fellas @ Surf n Saddle

Saturday, May 26, 2007:

• Swim Party, Repeater, Qu'est-ce Que C'est @ Ken Club
• Get Your Death On!, Hostile Combover, Thee Corsairs, Embalmers @ Belly Up ($10 adv/$12 day of)
• Dirty Sweet, Pistolita, Diablo Dimes @ Casbah
• Balagan Fest: Red Pony Clock, Der Nigunim, The Bologna Ponies, The _ Orkestra, and more@ The Brooklyn Ave Ninja Lair (6116 Brooklyn, Encanto, 92114) 5PM, free show, BYOB or $ for the keg.
• Bobby Conn, Rafter Band @ Scolari's
• DPI, Seven Dirty Words, El Nada @ Zombie Lounge
• The Gray Kid @ Beauty Bar (Hosted Han Vodka from 9-10p)
• Year Long Disaster, Clutch @ Brick By Brick
• Mika Miko, Atoms, Powerchords, (The Sess canceled)@ Ché Café
• Good Riddance (final show), Smoke or Fire, No Trigger @ Soma
• Aaron Bowen (CD Release) @ Lestat's
• The Hideaways, Ghosttown Deputies @ Alibi
• The Intelligence, The Lamps @ Tower Bar
• Queensryche @ 4th & B
• Inner Fury, Mind Delay, Darkened the Soul @ Chaser's
• Alex Arndt, Lonely Mattress Salesman @ Vinbladh's
• US Drag, Psychotic Nerve, Dave The Butcher @ O'Connell's
• Gadfly, Whiskey Avengers, B Foundation @ 710 Beach Club
• Clutch, Backyard Tire Fire, Year Long Disaster @ Brick By Brick
• High Rollin Loners @ Surf n Saddle

Sunday, May 27, 2007:

• Free! John Johnson BBQ @ Tower Bar 3pm
• Free! FM 94.9/Jivewire/One Nation Under a Groove present Buddy Akai Addiquit, Microphone Mike, free food @ Casbah 7pm
• Free! Tommy Redding & Guests @ 4th & B (hip-hop)
• Drop Dead Gourgeous: Ms. Beauty Bar 2007 contest @ Beauty Bar
• Dave the Butcher, Reason to Rebel, All Teeth, My Laughing Face, Fkenal @ Zombie
• Chad Farran, Jordan Reimer @ Lestat's

Monday, May 28, 2007:

• The Audition, My American Heart, New Atlantic, The Graduate @ Soma Sidestage
• Alps of New South Wales (Aus), Lilith Velkour @ Scolari's

Other Memorial Day Activities:

• "Holiday At Home"- Kensington's Annual holiday parade, pancake breakfast, BBQ in the park
• Liar's Club's Monday Night Steak and Ale Night
• Wine Cabana- ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR. Read my stuff about Wine Cabana here.

The Muslims, The Sundelles, The Corvinas, Ken Club 5/25/07

Last night there were some good choices for going out, but if the Ken Club has a good show lined up, I'm always going to take the easy choice and walk there over driving to the Zombie, Scolari's or the Casbah. So I missed The Vision of a Dying World & Red Feathers, I missed Dirty Sweet & Mr Tube, and I missed Roxy Jones and the Modlins...but I got to chill at the Ken Club and see 3 strong bands, a bunch of friends, and get the most excellent drinks poured for me (only after I had things thrown at me for my "Let the Charger's Go" comment in the Reader.) Devlin will get over it.



Anyway, there's not a whole lot to say about the show...all the bands have that great retro feel and despite playing really late, there was a good showing of people there to enjoy it. The coming three day weekend was in the air and some of us started early, bouncing back and forth between the bar and the show and plenty of adult beverages flowing. It was a really fun night for me. But I couldn't take a picture to save my life. Seriously. Bad photography, but I'm gonna post anyway. Read the feature about the Muslims in this week's CityBeat here, and enjoy the pics.

The Corvinas






The Sundelles








(couldn't catch the drummer, sorry)

The Muslims







And by the way, someone needs to buy Matt zapatos nuevos, por favor

Everything $5 Store is now Everything $5.99 Store (Non-Music Post/Political Rant)

I work on 2nd Ave between C and Broadway but I park near City College, pull my bicycle out of my trunk and (illegally) ride my bike all the way down C Street to and from work everyday. I love this daily bike ride and pay attention to details along this corridor; what the CCDC is trying to call "the spine of Downtown" to market it and redevelop it into a shopping zone, like Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica (complete with artist renderings of a Neiman Marcus on the street.)

Anyway, there's a couple things I've noticed lately that I thought I'd share. First, The Malt Shop on 5th and C street has closed. Marvin, the owner (and a Kensington neighbor of mine) said the building owners bought him out. I don't know what that means for the other businesses in the same building, but I would miss Javier at the pizza shop if all those businesses succumb to the same fate.

The other thing is that across the street is the Everything $5 store and the 5th Avenue entrance to the House of Blues. Marvin once told me the store was going to become the "Everything $10 Store" and I'm glad that's not true after all, but it still changed...



I took the picture almost as a joke, but actually it got me thinking about the economy which made me think part of the problem is probably the rise of gas prices and to me that inevitably leads me to think about this bullshit war and our bullshit administration. So it's no laughing matter that the $5 store had to change to the Everything $5.99 store. For the people who shop there because they have to, this will make a dent in the wallet. Many of downtown's poor rely on the businesses in this corridor because the goods they sell are generally cheaper than the rest of downtown. The other day, a homeless woman was crying in 7-11 because she didn't have enough to buy one hot dog(I bought it for her.) It's a damn shame this city cares so much about pleasing the rich, buildings stadiums for the über wealthy, pleasing developers by overusing emminent domain all the while not doing dick about the problem of homelessness, replacing SROs (single room occupancy dwellings), or managing the double whammy of mental illness combined with homelessness. End rant.

Downtown is always changing but sometimes it happens too fast and leaves too many people behind.

Things To Do: May 24, 2007

Thursday, May 24, 2007 :

• The Muslims, The Sundelles, Las Corvinas @ Ken Club
• The Vision of A Dying World, Golden Boots, The Crowd, Red Feathers @ Scolari's
• Redstone Arsenal, The Modlins, Roxy Jones @ Zombie Lounge
• Dirty Sweet, Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects, Bloody Hollies @ Casbah
• Spank Rock (dj set) @ Beauty Bar
• The Expendables, Fishbone, Dirty Heads @ Belly Up
• Yuichi & The Hilltone Boys, The Tennessee Cats @ Chaser's (Rockabilly from Osaka, Japan)
• Evan Bethemy, Gayle Skidmore, Lindsey Cook @ Lestat's
• Honest Iago, Danny Franco, Wendy Darling, Snuffaluffagus, Auspice, Breathing By Wires @ Ché Café
• Giant Bear @ Winston's
• Yesterday's Papers, Kim Divine, Misdirection @ 710 Club
• The New Daze, eDub Poet, Jason Lee & The RIP Tides @ Brick By Brick

KPRI Concerts On The Square

Every summer, there are things I look forward to. At my old job, it used to be half day Fridays, which we got every other week for 12 weeks. At my current employ, we work longer hours M-Th so every Friday is a half day. I'm not saying I don't still love it, but I take it for granted sometimes. One reminder then, that summer is here are the KPRi Concerts on The Square. KPRi and KNSD and other sponsors erect a stage at Broadway Circle in front of Horton Plaza and from Noon-1pm every Friday, a band plays a free concert. Tammy, from KPRi's promotion department is usually there, too, giving out station swag and tickets to different events.

The bands skew to an older audience, being a triple A station, that is what one would expect, but they can be fun and at least make you feel like our downtown has some real life to it every once in a while. It also might touch your heart a little when you see some of the chaperoned special needs adults dancing their hearts out.

Here's the 2007 summer schedule of performers:
May 25 - The Bayou Brothers (Zydeco, Blues, R&B, Mardi Gras)
June 1- Truckee Brothers (Rock) starting at 11am spin the KPRI Prize Wheel for your chance to win tickets to "Hooleyfest."
June 15- Curtis Peoples (Rock, Folk, Pop)
June 22- Bushwalla (Dumpster Funk - a mix of Hip-Hop and Acoustic Music)
June 29 - Kyle Phelan (Bluesy, Rock-Pop)
July 6 - The Cathryn Beeks Ordeal (Folk Rock)
July 13 - TBA
July 20 - TBA
July 27 Left4Dead (Generation-spanning Rock and Roll)
August 3 - Tapwater (Frat Rock)
August 10 - TBA
August 17 - The Bigfellas (Fun, Funky, Friendly, Original Rock )
August 24 - TBA
August 31 - Anna Troy (Blues)
September 14 - Astra Kelly
September 21 - Citizen Band ( Folk Rock)
September 28 - TBA
Oct 5 - TBA

Manu Chao (One of my "not to miss" shows) Canceled!

boo.

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

VIEJAS CONCERTS at BAYSIDE
(EMBARCADERO MARINA PARK SOUTH / DOWNTOWN BEHIND THE CONVENTION CNETER)
THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED –
MANU CHAO WILL NOW BE PERFORMING IN TIJUANA ON JUNE 5TH.
REFUNDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE.

This really sucks. At least we have Morrissey on June 3rd to experience at the concerts at Bayside.

I heart Ryan Adams. "Easy Tiger" to drop on June 26.

Despite being disappointed with the last Ryan Adams show at the House of Blues (the venue and assholes talking were 60% of my problem), I love Ryan Adams. People talk shit, people attack him personally, he gets defensive and comments back on blogs, and people get all in a huffy. Whatever. I don't care. I love when he puts out 3 albums in a year. I would like him to come to my house and sing to me while I lay on my bed on a May Gray day. Then I'd give him a hug after and tell him not to be so sad. I think the Whiskeytown show at the Casbah was my first show there ever (so long ago, fake id and all- sorry, Casbah). Anyway, I just got a press release about his forthcoming album on Lost Highway Records, so here's the junk that I'm more than happy to post:

OUT JUNE 26 ON LOST HIGHWAY
Ryan Adams' Easy Tiger has been scheduled for a June 26 release on Lost Highway. The new album features The Cardinals (but is billed solely as a Ryan Adams album) and also a guest appearance from Sheryl Crow, who contributes back-up vocals on the track “Two”.

The sequence of Easy Tiger is:

Goodnight Rose
Two
Everybody Knows
Halloweenhead
Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.
Tears Of Gold
The Sun Also Sets
Off Broadway
Pearls On A String
Rip Off
Two Hearts
These Girls
I Taught Myself How To Grow Old

Easy Tiger is be Ryan Adams' ninth full length collection of new studio recordings, following Heartbreaker (2000), Gold (2001), Demolition (2002), Rock N Roll (2003), Love Is Hell (2004), Cold Roses (2005), Jacksonville City Nights (2005) and 29 (2005).

After Arcade Fire, I couldn't think of any big releases that I would really look forward to. I'm not saying other stuff that has come out or will come out isn't good, great even, but the music of Ryan has always been especially sentimental to me, so while my friend Kristian tells me that the forthcoming Spoon album is "AMAZING", I'll have my sights set on Ryan Adams and Rocky Votolato.

Stream a couple tracks:
"Two"
"Everybody Knows"





Ryan will tour the US in support of the album in June and July. I hope he comes through San Diego and I hope (fingers crossed) it's at the Belly Up, not the House of Blues. Or Spreckels? Just no HOB. please.

YouTube: The Electric Soft Parade, Casbah, 5/22/07

I recorded a couple songs on Tuesday night. The lights at the Casbah aren't made to have the triangulated formation, they're positioned for a frontman up center, so I'm sorry these are really dark. Maybe just listen to them?

RJD2: What's he think of San Diego

RJD2 recently performed at the Belly Up. I missed the show but have seen his amazing turntablism before a couple times. In his blog today, he wrote a tour recap. The van's A/C broke in Denver, then they played in Durango, CO, and Tempe, Arizona. Anyway, that should explain the post a little:

SAN DIEGO, CA yea. 105 degrees. no AC. we drive 6 hours through the desert. we
are soaking our shirts in ice water and putting them back on. savagely brutal
heat. we play at the belly up tavern. hang out at the beach. got up next day and
took a cab to some bougie neighborhood with beach and some breakfast
places. san diego is fucking beautiful.

Hmmm. I'm thinking SD:Dialed in T-shirts. On the front "San Diego is Fucking Beautiful" with the web address on the back? I dunno, just messing around since I stayed home last night and have no recap today, unless you wanna hear about Tony Bennett and Bette Midler killing me on the American Idol finale.

Things To Do: May 23, 2007

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Street Scene Lineup Taking Shape?

Apparently.

My fellow bloggers have commented here a couple bits of info.

The White Stripes did not include Street Scene on their recently released tour dates. But San Diego is missing from their tour entirely, which is pretty unusual. Their tour has them playing on September 21st in Berkeley, CA, then on the 24th in Anchorage, Alaska. Maybe the 22nd here?

Meanwhile, Chickrawker commented that Smashing Pumpkins will be playing on the second day of Street Scene without revealing her sources.

Also, another mention that Jamal at the House of Blues is the dude to bribe if you want your local band to be given a shot at playing Street Scene this year. The majority of the lineup is expected to be pulled together in June. Of course, this is still conditional since I haven't yet heard that the Del Mar Racetrack is totally on board just yet.

Update: A new festival in Colorado called Monolith is scheduled for September 14 & 15. Think festival artists. Think Street Scene. Maybe some of the same artists will grace this beautiful city of ours? Some of the acts include The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, Ghostland Observatory (next big thing), The Brian Jonestown Massacre, William Elliott Whitmore (I LOVE him), Yacht, and Cake. Take your chances and buy your presale Street Scene tickets when you can.

Tuesday Recap: Electric Soft Parade, Beach House, The Clientele @ Casbah

It used to be that you could count on shows starting late at the Casbah. Shows always say "doors at 8:30" but sometimes that wasn't true, doors would be closer to 9:00, then the first band would start at 10 and not a minute sooner.

Those days seem to have passed, my friends, and I was disappointed that when I arrived at the Casbah at 9:43, Electric Soft Parade were already onstage performing. Not only that, but I thought they were second on the bill. boo. Still, I managed to catch about a half hour of their set and made my way into the "too cool gap" to snap some pictures. This was the first stop on Electric Soft Parade's tour, and they mentioned more than once that they only arrived yesterday and were feeling jet-lagged, but fortunately that wasn't evident in the performance. They played the Casbah in March and it was great seeing them so soon after. I'll put up some VMix video later, but here are some pics in the meantime.


Electric Soft Parade, photo by Rosey


Electric Soft Parade, photo by Rosey


Electric Soft Parade, photo by Rosey

Electric Soft Parade Setlist, 5/22/07, Casbah

Electric Soft Parade, photo by Rosey


Tom and Rosey, end of the night...

I took this picture because this has to be the 4th or 5th brit band I've seen with these shoes. Fashion trend to hit our shores? They kinda look like Converse All Stars in this pic, but resemble Keds more in person with their flatter sole and ridged edge.


After having spent the day with my face numb from Dental novacaine, I was ready to have a good fun night. Electric Soft Parade were highly energetic. Beach House played second, however, and were much less so. Their style of music is just really mellow and they sounded great, I was just hoping for a livelier evening, especially after having been at Mando Diao the night before. So, I did what I do when a show is too mellow and made my way to the patio. I was offered the opportunity to do a phone interview with Electric Soft Parade, but I'm not the interviewing type...instead I introduced myself to them and we talked about nonsense. I did catch a little of Beach House, enough for a couple pictures, but left after the old asshole guy who is apparently the Casbah's official resident asshole, complained that he couldn't see from his barstool. FYI, if you're sitting in a barstool at a show that is 99% standing room only, don't be a little whiny bitch. Anyway, here are a couple pictures of the two members of Beach House.


Beach House, photo by Rosey


Beach House, photo by Rosey

The Clientele headlined the show and sounded amazing. One of those bands I know I'd love if by that point of the night I wasn't off in my own little world. Some of the guys from VMix were there and we were talking about their site redesign and exciting happenings over there. Jackson of The Vision of a Dying World was talking to Emily from Bunky and decided that if Bunky wants to tour and the regular members can't do it, The Vision will learn Bunky's songs and tour as the backing band. Photog Natalie was there, too, so check her blog in the next couple days for her pics and hopefully a much better review than I am giving here. (link to the right). So yeah, The Clientele were great, but that's my opinion from only giving them 30% of my attention. They did have sound issues on the violin and keys that appeared to piss off the band, but I didn't stay in to see if the issues were resolved.


The Clientele, photo by Rosey

The Clientele, photo by Rosey


The Clientele, photo by Rosey

I did manage my way up in hopes of an encore but the band was done, so I grabbed the setlist. I don't really know if they stuck to it or not.


The Clientele setlist, Casbah, May 22, 2007

"I'm kind of a big deal"

Just kidding. But my "lists" page is in the Reader this week (with a HUMONGOUS picture of me). Actually it kinda reveals what a dork I am in real life. Yay for press.

Check it out here.

Don't Miss The Swedish Models

The Swedish Models got coverage in CityBeat

Watch out for The Swedish Models. Lead vocals will be shared by two standouts of the local scene: Vinyl Radio's multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bernhardt and Ryan Waller. Waller's former band, The Jury, died a premature death following the completion of their impressive debut EP, so it's good to hear he's back in action. Also in the band are Andrew McNally (The Jury, Rookie Card), Dusty Paul (Vinyl Radio) and Mark Wiskowski (Roses on Her Grave, ex-Cape May). They make their debut at the Beauty Bar on May 25.

I would add that you shouldn't check them out on MySpace because the two tracks are unmixed and without vocals.

Dusty and Andrew Bernhart, photo by Rosey

SD:Dialed In Concert Guide In This Week's Citybeat

I contributed a "summer concert guide" for this week's CityBeat. Just wanted to note that 1. I was asking for Cheetah Girls tickets for my 8 year old God sister; I think PussyCat Dolls should have a minimum age limit of 18 because to me, they're basically strippers. Also, my list was written before the Crowded House show at Humphrey's on August 24 was announced. I was limited to 6 but Morrissey (June 3, Viejas Concerts at Bayside) would've been #7.


Rosey says Jesus will git you
Six summer concerts thou shalt not miss
by Troy Johnson

Blogging's hip. Real hip. It's so hip that your aunt who always wants to crochet you something knows it's hip. She knows it's hip because she's got a crocheting blog.

It's so hip that CityBeat finally started its own blog ("Last Blog On Earth," which has the hip acronym of LBOE, as in the human joint—get it?!). Of course, we were hardly the first. In our local-music issue a few months back, we featured our favorite San Diego music bloggers that have been spewing late-night scene reports for the last year and a half or so. They are tireless fans, every bit as indispensable to the San Diego music scene, if not more so, than CityBeat.

One in particular, however, never sleeps. Her name is Rosey. Judging by her blog at www.sddialedin.com, the woman is literally out four to seven nights a week, hitting upwards of 15 different shows.

Unlike some of us snobs, however, Rosey is inclusive. Sure, she'll spend four nights a week hanging with indie-fags at The Casbah or Beauty Bar or Ken Club, but she'll also openly pine for tickets to Joss Stone or even The Pussycat Dolls (for her little sister, or so she writes).

We asked this ear-plug vampiress to guide us through the summer, to give us her Top Six Summer Concerts You Cannot Miss Or You Will Be Destroyed By A Comet, Sent By Jesus, Who Digs Rock Music.

She obliged, and we have no doubt she'll be at every one of them. We thank her for her relentless support of the scene, and we worry for her well-being.

June 5

Manu Chao @ Viejas Concerts at Bayside

Rosey says: "Last year, San Diego got to experience the rock/funk/reggae/Latin music that is like no other and will get your booty shakin'. For people who feel San Diego lacks diversity, come to this show and see otherwise."

June 10

FM 94/9 Independence Jam @ Devore Stadium

Rosey says: "Huge outdoor venue. Huge headliners like Interpol, Kings Of Leon and Spoon. $40 flat [ticket price] with no service charges. Showcase of San Diego's best local bands [Grand Ole Party, Mr. Tube, Transfer, Scarlet Symphony, etc.]. You can't put together a better mini-festival show than this."

June 27

True Colors Tour @ Open Air Theatre

Rosey says: "The tickets are quite expensive for this touring festival, but proceeds benefit the Human Rights Campaign, which promotes solidarity and support for the GLBT community. Imagine the sing-along during Cyndi Lauper's ‘True Colors.' I'm crying already." Editor's note: Also playing are Deborah Harry, Erasure, Margaret Cho, The Dresden Dolls, The Gossip and The Misshapes.

July 25

Lyle Lovett & KD Lang @ Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay

Rosey says: "Even if you think you're not a fan of country, Lyle Lovett will get to you in a way you didn't think country music would. Worth it for his stage banter alone."

Aug. 11

Squeeze & Fountains of Wayne @ Viejas Concerts in the Park

Rosey says: "Squeeze haven't toured since 1999. This show will make you realize just how many Squeeze songs have been engrained in your head over the 30-plus years they've been a band. Fountains of Wayne will be touring on their new release that should help get ‘Stacy's Mom' out of your head."

Sept. 22 & 23

Street Scene @ Del Mar Fairgrounds

Rosey says: "Yes, we wish it was still downtown in pre-stadium days and, no, we have no idea yet who will play. But this is a San Diego mainstay whether you like it or not. Quit your bitching and just go. Complain after."


05-23-07

Things To Do: May 22, 2007

Tuesday, May 22, 2007:

• The Clientele, Electric Soft Parade, Beach House @ Casbah
• Brother Ali, Psalm On, BK One @ Belly Up
• Albert Hammond Jr., The Dead Trees @ House of Blues
• Young Love, Under the Influence of Giants, War Stories (formerly onethousand pictures), Play Radio Play!, Liam & Me, White Apple Tree @ Soma 7pm $10
• Brother Ali In-Store @ Access Music 1537 Garnet
• Jillian & Philly B, Kellis David @ Vinbladh's

New Concert Announcement: Jack Fest 2007! Aug 19 @ Coors

Radio station Jack FM has sent out this announcement:

Coming Sunday, August 19th at Coors Amphitheatre is 100.7 Jack Fest 2007!
Jack’s first ever concert is featuring ZZ Top, The Pretenders, Stray Cats
and REO Speedwagon!
Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, June 2nd at 10 am at all Ticketmaster outlets.
Keep listening to find out more info about Jack Fest 2007!!

I genuinely think it's pretty sad how poorly X-Fest appeared to sell. The venue was not even close to full when we were there midday and I assume there were a lot of tickets given away (to media, winners on the station, vendors, clients, etc.) I'm disappointed because as I've mentioned, two alt stations in a market should be a good thing for the music and while I've acknowledged that I am not part of the 91X demo, a lot of people should be and should be more enthusiastic about a station branded music festival.

But anyway, my point of this is post is to take guesses...
Will this show sell?
What will be the average ticket price?
What will the average ticket price be with service charges, facility fees, toilet flushing surcharge, breathing the air tax, driving through Chula Vista toll, and joint use fee for parking in the dirt behind Knott's Soak City?
What percentage of seats will be left unused come Sunday August 19th?
Anyone wanna play?

Anti-Monday League Recap: Mando Diao & Pop Levi, Casbah, 5/21/07

Earache and all, I am sooo glad I made it to the Casbah last night for Pop Levi and Mando Diao.
Pop Levi opened the show and had an energetic stage show, striking poses, busting the robot, and forcing me to smile by staring me down when I didn't realize I wasn't smiling. Something about the band made them kinda timeless to me...like one part 70's rock, one part 80's beats (synthy but played with guitar), one part 90's pop a'la Prince, though maybe that part is influenced by Pop's small stature and the "oh my god I can see his penis" white pants. If I were going on a road trip to Vegas, I'd want at least 2 Pop Levi songs on the mix to get me through the armpit of the valley where the 15 and 215 split. Maybe this would be good music to TaeBo to. I recorded a couple songs, but one lasted about 7 minutes and the other went over 9 when I stopped, so I don't think I'll put them on here. Maybe I'll load them on VMix later.


Pop Levi, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In


Pop Levi, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In


Pop Levi, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In


Pop Levi, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In

There were only two bands last night, where there are usually 3 or 4 on a Monday, so there was a tiny bit longer stage change than usual, it seemed. It didn't matter because it was a good chance to check out their cool merch (which I'd have bought had I brought wads of cash) and hang out. When they started, they brought it.


Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In


Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In

There's a quality about them that made me think if you threw Gomez and Stereophonics into a garage together, you'd end up with Mando Diao. For one, they alternate singers which perfectly counter each other. For another, they've got that kinda raspy voice thing going on at times. (Swedish AND Sexy vocals? swoon.) They started strong and never slowed down except during "Ochrasy" midway through the set when everyone left the stage except for the guitarist who sang "Ochrasy" alone.

And I'm dreaming about a time
times that are gone
times when I lived alone
in my own land called Ochrasy
that place was everything to me
the word I made it up you see
it's only in my fantasy
and I believe it

And I believe it, too. The band rejoined him and ferociously continued their set. When it came to the end, they left the stage and never came back for the last two songs on their setlist. The crowd was disappointed by that, because we weren't ready for it to be over, but I think the explanation was that the drummer is suffering from wrist problems or something... all is forgiven


Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In




Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In


Mando Diao, photo by Rosey, SD:Dialed In

I have more YouTube to upload, but for now, this is "Song For Aberdeen" from the latest Mando Diao album, "Ode To Ochrasy".



Here's the Setlist from Mando Diao, 5/21/07 Casbah. This is a scan, not a photo. They did not play the two songs listed for their encore, but everything else stayed according to the list.



After the show ended around 12:15, the band did come out and hang out with people who stuck around the patio, but I didn't wanna intrude on the chicks who were giving the band their undivided attention, so I chilled with Pyles and Jason and Porter until the Casbah finally kicked everyone, band included, out for the night.

If Mando Diao come back around, do not miss them. And in the meantime go buy the CD (or download if you must). It has 14 tracks. Fourteen. Tracks. Worth your money all the way through. No joke.

Tuesday Newsy Bits: Pandora, Sessions Fest, X-Fest Blogs

A couple months ago, I wrote about attending a talk hosted by Tim Westergren of Pandora.com and a couple follow up posts urging you to call your Congressperson and sign a petition. Pandora is an amazing site, and support for the site, and internet radio in general, has resulted in bills in both the House and Senate to reverse the new royalty structures that would all but eliminate all internet radio. (BTW, that is ALL streaming music online) I also recommended that local musicians submit their music to the site. Adam Gimbel was at that talk as well, submitted music from Rookie Card, and now Pandora has five Rookie Card songs added to it's library with full "music genome" analysis and recommended similar artists for each song. It is a great opportunity for unsigned bands to gain exposure to a nationwide audience with targeted music selections. Go to Pandora.com for more info, and send those CDs in to Tim.
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I don't know why I got the exclusive from "CDW" (that's CatDirtWife to you), but some news about the summer concerts for this year! Unfortunately, there will not be a Golden Hill Block Party this year (probably because I drank all the beer last year), but Sessions Fest is happening.

It is scheduled for September 15 at Golden Hill Park.
Acts confirmed so far:

Vinyl Radio
Fifty On Their Heels
MC Flow
and The Muslims and The Atoms are both maybes.

I would expect a few more acts will be added...Mika Miko maybe? The New Motherfuckers? CDW does it right so it doesn't really matter. Just plan on being there.

Basically here's your September Calendar:
September 15- Sessions Fest
September 23+24- Street Scene
September 28- SD:DialedIn Birthday (Ken Club?)
September 29+30- Adams Avenue Street Fair

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I love these. I'm not even making fun or joking. Music is for everyone and everyone likes what they like and more people should write about it and be excited about great things happening in San Diego.

More X-Fest Reviews:

Maria loves Jared Leto.
Jeanette 84 had a great time.

Do Not Miss: Mando Diao Tonight! Casbah!

(Press release)

Ode To Ochrasy, the new album from Swedish pop-rock
wunderkinds Mando Diao solidifies their reputation for rocking super-immediate
melodies and garage-rock hooks with super-charged energy.

I've been listening to this CD a lot. Come check them out tonight at the Casbah for Anti-Monday League. You can't go wrong with either this show or Sea and Cake at the Belly Up, but this is where I'll be.

If you wanna pick me up, I'll let you be my plus one :) Call me.