Obama/Biden 2008!!

I've been so busy this weekend that I didn't get a chance to say how happy I am about Barack Obama choosing Joe Biden as his running mate. If you watch Real Time with Bill Maher, you know that Biden has been a consistently outspoken critic of the current administration.

Anyway, I thought I'd forward on this little MoveOn deal:

Want a free Obama/Biden sticker? MoveOn's giving them away totally free--even the shipping's free. I just got mine, and wanted to share the opportunity with you.
Click this link to get a free Obama/Biden sticker or donate to the campaign and get more.

This was the best shirt I saw at SCMX yesterday.


ALso, Joe Biden recorded a video to introduce himself to voters.

Things To Do In San Diego: August 23-24, 2008

Two huge things today: SCMX, or the Southern Comfort Music Experience is happening downtown...gates at 3 (like 10 minutes ago) and goes on till midnight. Also, tonight is the first night for the new ownership at the bar formerly known as San Diego Sports Club. There's DJs,a special surprise band from SCMX, and it's only a $3cover and it's $3 u-call-its all night. See you all at SoCo!!

Saturday, August 23, 2008:

• SCMX (SoCo Music Experience) feat. Common, The Black Keys, Saul Williams, Kinky, Grand Ole Party, The Silent Comedy, The Burning of Rome, Shark Attack, Buddy Akai, MC Flow @ Tailgate Park adjacent Petco Park. $5 donation, 21+
• Danger Danger Feat. The 87, Stick Up Kids, South Rakkas Crew, DJ Mr. Biggs & Huge Euge @ Beauty Bar
• Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huck Jam @ Concerts on the Green at Qualcomm Stadium
• MEX, The Deere Johns @ Bar Pink (Elephant)
• The Common loon, Chaz, Sentinel @ Radio Room
• Beachwood Sparks, The Tyde, Braintickets DJ's @ Casbah
• Cash'd Out, Hell on Heels Burlesque, The Palominos, DJ Gonzo @ Belly Up
• Vocoder, Red Ivy Suspect @ The Ken Club
• The Ziggens, Burnt (acoustic), Exit 86, Shame & Skandal @ O'Connell's
• Monsters From Mars, James Rabbit, Da Bears, and The Raggedy Anns @ Che Cafe
• Rick Ortiz Presents: Noches Rockeras @ House of Blues
• Ride the Sun, Floating Goat(SF), Magdalene @ Chasers
• Booty Bassment @ Whistle Stop
• Glory Bound Productions with DJ’s Felix Cartel & Junior The Disco Punk @ U-31
• The Turtle Project (Cd Release), Saba @ Lestat's
• The Lou Dog Trio, Elephants In Mud, Gadfly @ 710 Beach Club
• Blood of the Covenant, Awaiting Samsara, Livid Virus, Flashburn, Bastard Saints, Societal Decay @ Brick By Brick
• Ahimsa World Music @ World Beat Center
• A Dull Science, Hello Marquee, Let Live, Parker Theory, Mondays Alibi, 5 More Days @ soma
• The Devastators, Indubious @ Winston's
• Daydream Believer...Davy Jones @ Summer Pops at the Embarcadero
• Armando Manzanero & Marco Antonio Muniz @ San Diego Civic Center
• Barry Jones (Hypnotist) @ 4th & B
• Z90 End of Summer Bash with DJ D-Rock & DJ Richie Rich @ Canes
• Steve Tyrell @ Anthology (Early Show, 7:30 pm, Late Show, 9:30 pm)
• Patty Zlakett @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (early show 6 pm)
• Dennis Jones @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (late show 9:20 pm)
• The Gilbert Castellanos New Latin Jazz Quartet @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)

Sunday, August 24, 2008:

• Joshua Radin, Erin McCarley, Hana Pestle @ Belly Up
• Manu Chao @ Plaza Monumental Playas, Tijuana
• El Vez for Prez Tour - El Vez, Mex, Lysa Flores @ Casbah
• Gospel Gossip, The Minor Keys, Rosemary’s Garden @ Beauty Bar
• Powersolo, The Strikers, D.P.I @ Radio Room
• Swami Sunday Mass with Sunday Night Blackout @ Bar Pink (Elephant) 3pm
• Bill Maher @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Rob Drabkin, The Northstar Sessions @ Lestat's
• Anthony Green, Good Old War, Person L @ soma
• Tribe Of Kings/Reggae Vibes @ U-31
• Citizen Video feat. "Drugstore Cowboy" @ Whistle Stop
• Another Zeke Productions Presents...Darkend The Soul, Burdens Arise @ O'Connell's
• Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush, Anna Troy @ Brick By Brick
• Detour Live @ House of Blues
• Earl Thomas @ Winston's (5-8p)
• Jose Sinatra's OB-o-ke @ Winston's
• 94.9 Presents - Reggae Sundays - DJ Tommy, Tomorrow's Bad Seeds @ Canes 2-6p Free.
• Steve Forbert @ Anthology (Early Show, 7:30 pm)
• Reggie Smith @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (Early show, 10a-2p, late show, 8 pm)
  

Things To Do In San Diego: August 22, 2008

Oh, thank goodness for the weekend. Planning ahead, if anyone is going to Radiohead (and I know you are). I need a ride Anyone? Also, save the date- next Saturday, it's an SD:Dialed In show at the Ken Club with Republic of Letters, AM Vibe, and The Lanterns. We're having a pre-show BBQ at my house at 5:00. Bring Your Own Everything...beer, booze, and stuff to grill. If you are a reader of this site, you are invited. If you need my address, shoot me an e-mail. We'll head to the Ken by 9:30 for the bands. If there's anything left over, we might have afters too. Because that's how we roll, right? Bring pajamas is all I'm sayin.

Friday, August 22, 2008:

• Under the Influence of Giants, Castledoor, Elephone, DJ C Wizard & Andrew Decade @ Beauty Bar
• The Donkeys (CD release), Sarees (S.F.) @ Whistle Stop
• Red Pony Clock, Jail Weddings @ Bar Pink (Elephant)
• Broken Social Scene, Menomena @ House of Blues
• The Mice, The Reddmen(SoDak), Outta Gas, Gertrudestein @ Chasers
• Braaiins!, Atoms, the deepsea goes @ The Ken Club
• 4 o'Clock Fridays feat. Black Francis @ Del Mar Race Track
• SDSC’s Last Last Call: Fishnette Follies Burlesque, Black Hondo, 5 SDSC DJs @ San Diego Sports Club (last night under current ownership)
• Get Back Loretta, Man Without Wax (Seattle, WA), Jamuel Saxon, and The Feeling's Mutual @ Che Cafe
• Agua Dulce, Justine Werner & Company@ Winston's
• Rich White Males, The Ponches (Italy), Idiot Box @ Radio Room
• Hillgrass Bluebilly presents Bob Log III, Scott H. Biram, Left Lane Cruiser, Pant Hoots in the Atari Lounge @ Casbah
• Sycuan Presents Sondre Lerche, Sylvie Lewis @ House of Blues Delta Room
• Tigersharks, Dogmatic & TBA @ O'Connell's
• Kevin Jones, 10th World Band @ World Beat Center
• The Haven/Somato Sensory @ Epicentre
• Dave Matthews Band, Robert Earl Keen @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
• Feel The Noise with DJ’s Gabe Vega & Saul Q @ U-31
• Brett Bixby, The Larson Sisters, Courtney Bowden @ Lestat's
• Rub-A-Dub-Fridays Hosted By Dub Traffik Control w/ Kush and Bloodfiyah Angels @ Belly Up
• Daydream Believer...Davy Jones @ Summer Pops at the Embarcadero
• FM Revolver, Aepnia, Hydrovibe @ 710 Beach Club
• Remains Forgotten, Citradora, Scary Gary Show w/ Deity Girls, Encryptions in Black @ Brick By Brick
• Grim Luck, Social Green, Bucket Of Fish, Blaupunkt, The Demeanors @ soma
• Tribute To Bernie Mac @ 4th & B
• Katchafire, Iration @ Canes
• Steve Tyrell @ Anthology (Early Show, 7:30 pm)
• Paul Oscher @ Anthology (Late Show, 9:30 pm)
• Skelpin @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (Early show, 6-8p)
• Rising Star @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (Late show, 9:30p)

Jeremy Enigk at The Casbah, 8.21.08

Tonight's show kicked ass, and I'm sorry if you weren't there. A few people in the crowd were capturing video through the whole show, so I'll check their video, too, but here's the first of my video, which Jeremy said is a new song from his forthcoming album that will be released in the fall. And, by the way, what a super nice guy.



OK, I found the time to upload the rest.

Breaking News: Chasers Bought By Bluefoot; Closed Without Notice

I just got an email from T-Bone and a text from The Punkboard that the owners of Bluefoot bought Chasers and have closed it without notice.

This means all the shows currently booked at Chasers will need to find a new home.

I will gather information as it comes in, but if your band was scheduled for any Chasers shows, they are cancelled pending further notice/arrangements.

Here's the ABC license with no notice of change.

Things To Do In San Diego: August 21, 2008

Thursday August 21, 2008:

• Jeremy Enigk (Sunny Day Real Estate, The Fire Theft), Anya Marina @ Casbah
• The Long and Short of it, Black Eyes & Neckties (WA), Extinct Animal @ Radio Room
• El Ten Eleven, Hotel St. George @ Bar Pink (Elephant)
• I am Ghost, Eyes Set to Kill, The Urgency @ Epicentre
• Pato Banton and The Mystic Roots Band, Daddy Roots, DJ Carlos Culture @ Belly Up
• Club Neon feat. Maniqui Lazer, Loud Noises, Memo Rx DJ @ Beauty Bar
• The Bus Stop @ U-31
• Kristen Price, The Anna Troy Band @ Lestat's
• Clean Cut DJs @ The Ken Club
• Karaoke @ O'Connell's
• Toots and the Maytals, Van Hunt @ House of Blues
• The Reverse Cowboys, B-Lines(Van), Defektors, Friendly Neighbors @ Chasers
• Caboose!! feat DJs Hashem and Sir Trailmixalot @ Whistle Stop
• Rock Dirty Raw @ 710 Beach Club
• Katchafire, Iration @ World Beat Center
• Mad Martigan, Anson, Electric Dynamite @ Brick By Brick
• Sheryl Crow @ Valley View Casino Concerts
• Mandorico, Mike Deluxe Band @ Winston's
• Eric James Polyn, The Flowerthief, Katie Leigh, Cheeky, Nothin SpeshL @ Bitter End Backstage
• The Machine - A Spectacular Pink Floyd Tribute! @ Summer Pops at the Embarcadero
• Rhythm & the Method, 40 Ounce Mouse, Moontucky Risin & Runhoney @ Canes
• Steve Tyrell @ Anthology (Early Show, 7:30 pm, Late Show, 9:30 pm)
• Buick Wilson Band @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge

San Diego Welcomes Festival of Sail

When I worked downtown, my favorite part of driving in was seeing the Star of India with her full sails up as I'd come down Ash between the purple Jacaranda trees. Then there's the festival of sails, where the Star of India is joined by other tallships from around the world. Which reminds me...I wonder where those pictures are from the Italian Navy Ship with all the cute sailors on board...sorry. Momentarily distracted.

Anyway, it's Festival of Sail time.

Tall Ships Arrive for Festival of Sail 2008

From the Port of San Diego website:

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

The Maritime Museum's 2008 Festival of Sail celebration began this morning as majestic tallships and other sailing vessels from around the world paraded into San Diego Bay and docked at the North Embarcadero. The crew of Columbia's tallship Gloria manned the yardarms as the vessel transited the Bay. The United States Coast Guard's 293-foot-long Eagle returned to San Diego for its first visit since 1999.

Visitors to the festival, which stretches along Harbor Drive between Grape and Ash Streets, will be able to tour the 20 vessels from 9:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday, August 24.

The Port of San Diego is the title sponsor of this nautical celebration. Over 700,000 visitors are expected to visit the waterfront during the five days of festivities.

Ticket Rates:

$20 Adults
$15-Seniors 62 years and older, Active Military with ID, and children age 6 to 17 years
FREE for kids 5 years and younger

There are also several opportunities to ride some of the boats. For those events and tickets, click here.

Dave Matthews: The Show Must Go On

In the wake of the sudden death of founding Dave Matthews Band member LeRoi Moore, people are certainly wondering about the tour, particularly the show scheduled for Friday night at Cricket Wireless amphitheatre.

Darbi, works for LiveNation/Cricket Amp and posted the following:

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND WILL PERFORM!!!
Friday August 22 Cricket Amphitheatre
Come enjoy the show!! Arrive early to avoid traffic.
Parking lots open at 4pm. Gates at 6pm. Show at 7pm.

Thanks for the head's up, Darbi!

Things To Do In San Diego: August 20, 2008

Wednesday, August 20, 2008:

• 91X Loudspeaker presents Buddy Akai, Frantic Romantic, Stripes & Lines@ U-31
• Saviours, Archons, Hostile Combover @ Casbah
• The Royalty, Steve Carson Band, DJ Andrew Decade @ Beauty Bar
• Manwhore Wednesdays @ The Ken Club
• San Diego Rocks! @ House of Blues
• LSD Promotions Presents...Revenge Club, Solis, CDM, Noisegod @ O'Connell's
• Mad Juana's Voodoo Room @ Bar Pink (Elephant)
• Citizen Video presents "The Gits" Movie Screening, DJ Claire @ Whistle Stop
• Chuck Cannon, Christy Wilson, Kev @ Lestat's
• Franklin Lounge, Chris Torres and Sky Held Sun @ Belly Up
• Bombay Status, Dresden's Burning, Young Goodman @ 710 Beach Club
• Pleasure Device, the Beautiful View, Dead City Outbreak @ Brick By Brick
• Psydecar @ Winston's
• Maddox Revolution @ Bitter End Backstage
• Never Say Die Presents -Inhale & Irie Creations, Revival, L.O.T.B. @ Canes
• Steve Tyrell @ Anthology (Early Show, 7:30 pm, Late Show, 9:30 pm)
• Robin Henkel @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Pianist Lynn Willard with bassist Danny Weller & drummer Dylan Savage @Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
• Donna Summer @ Viejas Concerts In The Park

Kinda Sorta Weekend Recap

I felt so behind in posting that I decided it was a non-photo weekend, and now I feel weird posting without pics, but since this is as much my diary as anything else, I've got some rambling to do. After the jump.

After Warped Tour, I was regretfully too tired to hit the Casbah on Thursday night, and my day at work on Friday was so taxing that I was ready to let loose. I decided on The Whistle Stop to see Jake play. Unfortunately I got there too late to see John Meeks, but since Grampa Drew decided to take the longest set change ever for a solo musician- close to, if not more than an hour- it gave time to catch up with Daye and John and some other people who were there. I got a chance to talk to Dave from CityBeat and he verified that Nathan Dinsdale was leaving CityBeat. This was no secret considering there were ads for the position on Craig's List as far back as two weeks, so I think we'll see some changes there soon, if not already. I'll keep the rest of that conversation to myself for now, but you can just look at the new issue to see what's up.

Grampa Drew did eventually get around to playing, standing on a wooden box with holes in it and lights underneath, which was triple purpose in creating somewhat of a visual effect (was there a fog machine underneath?), lifting him high enough to be seen from the other side of the bar, and to be used as a stompbox. He played one man acoustic music, and did it well, including an acoustic version of a Transfer song, but then he lost me when he played "Jane Says". I don't know why, and I have no emotions tied to Jane's Addiction, but I really don't like when people play it as a cover. So I escaped outside, then to the patio, then to the bar, back to the patio and so it went until Blackout Party played.

Even without Tim on flute, they sounded pristine. I watched their full set and then after raced back to the Ken in hopes of catching Apes of Wrath, but got to the Ken as they were loading out. Boo. Next time. I went home and called it a night.

I chilled around the house on Saturday until it was time for a party at Alix & Justin's. I got there around 6 and ended up staying till nearly midnight, sharing music like "no, really, you have to hear this!" After that I made my way to the Ken where Altaira had reunited for a show, but instead I sat at the bar with friends, and when it came time for closing, I went to a party which I promised I would not talk about here. No big deal, but some people like their privacy. Anyway, it was a good night, and resulted in a late night and a whole Sunday doing nothing but catching up on shows and blog posts and e-mails and laundry and cleaning and grilling and all the things that I should have much more time to do on a regular basis, but I just don't.

So let's see, since I started this post on Monday I've been working the day job like mad, saw The Predicates at the Casbah on Tuesday followed by the Ken Club, got sick, felt better, and tonight saw Jeremy Enigk at the Casbah. Friday I'll be hitting the Jeff n Jer 20th anniversary party and the San Diego Magazine 'best of' party and perhaps The Donkeys CD release at The Whistle Stop. Saturday is all about SCMX, then Sunday I'll be at the Belly Up for Joshua Radin. Hopefully I'll find some time to clean house, to write, to rest, and to hang out with Pascha, because it's clear my baby is feeling neglected. This weekend cannot come soon enough.

Poor Excuse for Update

I've nary had any time to write, so some photos will have to do.

Write your own captions for now.


K for Keyboard...







Ok, this one is way worth writing about. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings played at the Osheaga Festival in Montreal on August 3rd (happy joanie bday), and I wasn't about to be the complacent headlining artist/ festival goer. I rushed over to their stage and marveled sidestage while the band played. The Dap Kings stepped in time, led by their bassist, Gabe Roth, while their hype man introduced soul sister #1, Sharon Jones. Halfway through the set, Jimmy from Louis XIV and I were part of the growing number of folks on the sidestage grooving along when Sharon Jones announces that she'll need someone to come onstage for her next song.

Jimmy was the one who got my white sunglasses for me in the first place.

"I need a fine young man...wait a minute now, I see you in the white glasses."

Four glorious minutes later, I've just been serenaded in front of thousands of Quebecois by Sharon Jones. I went onstage and did my best not to give myself away as a square. But, we danced, we laughed, it was rad.


Mike Watt, the day his bass got stolen. It wasn't me.


Definitely not America anymore.

Things To Do In San Diego: August 19, 2008

Did I miss anything? E-mail me at sddialedin AT gmail DOT com.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008:

• The Fascination, Wendy Darling (CD Release), The Predicates @ Casbah
• Another Zeke Productions Presents...Causeway, Close Talker, Jarris (AR), Escape Note @ O'Connell's
• The Shake Ups, The Royalty(TX), The Minor Keys @ Chasers
• Transmission Tuesday w/ DJ Heather Hardcore, Hey Hollywood (Dallas) @ Beauty Bar
• Connect with the Atoms (DJ Set) @ Ken Club
• Too Cool For Karaoke (feat. The Derby Dolls) @ U-31
• Tiki Tuesday @ Bar Pink (Elephant)
• Sycuan Presents Billy Joel Tribute Show @ House of Blues
• Sycuan Presents Edwin McCain, Meghan Coffee, Dawn Mitschele @ House of Blues Delta Room
• Game Night @ 710 Beach Club
• Radiostar @ Bitter End Backstage
• Ted Wulfurs, Equaleyes @ Winston's
• Industry Night/ Karaoke Night with Levi Strauss @ Canes
• Steve Winwood @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
• Bridget Brigitte, Cynthia Hammond, Steven Ybarra, Lindsey Yung, Candice Graham @ Anthology (Early Show, 7:30 pm)
• Ruby & The Red Hots @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• The Young Jazz Trio featuring pianist Kiefer Shackelford, Brandon Zedaker bass, & Griffin Kisner drums @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)

Things To Do In San Diego: Monday, August 18, 2008

Monday, August 18, 2008:

• Anti-Monday League presents Desert Diamonds, War Stories (CD Release Party), The Displaced, The Howls @ Casbah
• Secret FunClub, Zs, Apsilon Acrux @ Radio Room
• Gipsy Kings @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
• Bark Hide and Horn(PDX), Silverleaf, Paul Chesne(L.A.), The Old Palominos @ Chasers
• Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
• Free Manicure Mondays from 9-11:30 @ Beauty Bar
• Blues Jam Hosted By Mystery Train @ O'Connell's
• Mechanical Bull Riding Hosted By Laura Jane @ U-31, No Cover
• Tap Fever Presents - "The Heat is On"@ Belly Up
• "Singled Out" @ 710 Beach Club
• Maldonado @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• The Jazz Ensemble cd release, under the direction of Vince Greco, with a 20 piece big band made up of 14-19 year olds @Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)

Warped Tour San Diego, 8.14.08

After a rough work week, it was nice to have taken a Thursday off. Wednesday night I had a blast, starting with a couple drinks at the Ken with a coworker, then hanging with Todd. We went to the Alibi for a while, then to the Sports Club met up with Abraham and Neil, then back to the Ken where Jake met up with us, then we all hung out at my place after. Staying up late meant I slept in a bit longer than intended when Thursday rolled around.

Jake and I headed to Warped Tour after stopping for tacos at Maria Bonita, a taco shop near my parents house on Orange and Melrose. If you're in Chula Vista, it's just one offramp before Cricket Wireless and it's delicious. We parked at the venue and got our VIP and photo passes.

The first thing to do at any Warped Tour is to check the board, because the lineup isn't decided until the day of the show.


For the rest of this post, click 'keep on reading'



The first band we checked out was MIA. They were kinda boring, to be honest. Not enough rage for me or something. Maybe it was just too early in the day.
MIA


We wandered over and saw Pierce the Veil and they had a huge hometown crowd and the kids ate em up.

Pierce The Veil




We decided to see what access our wristbands got us, so we went to the main backstage area where the catering was. We had a couple complimentary Hansen's sodas then wandered back to the main festival area.

VIP/band catering menu board


There were band signings all day and I was surprised how many kids would wait in line when there were so many bands playing.

Autograph Line


We went to the backstage area behind the two main stages, then I went up for photos during Rise Against. I really enjoyed their set. I have a feeling they played Jason's basement back in the day, but I can't be sure. So many bands passed through there. I went to the shows but didn't really follow the straight edge scene. They gave a shout to Che Cafe which was pretty rad.

Rise Against




I ran into Sandra and she told me not to miss GBH, so we watched from onstage, then I went around the front to take pictures, then met back up onstage with Jake for the rest of the set. I liked them a lot. "Who in the crowd is over 40? Come on, be proud to be old. If you don't get old, you die."

GBH


We hung out with Jake's friend Sam, who was playing in FEAR, and then I took some pics of Against Me! who were good, but again, I could've used more angst there based on their recordings.

Against Me! (Setlist)




I didn't think I'd really care about Reel Big Fish, because I'd seen them so many times back when I was hanging with the Goldfinger guys, but they still put on a great show, and they did a really cool cover of Enter Sandman. "We just wrote that." They were really entertaining and the trumpet player loved posing for pictures.

Reel Big Fish




We wandered over to see Sam play in FEAR and there was a nice little circle pit going on for them. Lots of songs about Beer. Then More Beer. The Rise Against guys were in the crowd, as was Mike Watt. While I was taking pictures, Schwayze walked by and had a little group of about 25 tweens chasing them. I left midway through the set to get back to the mainstages in hopes of catching the Vandals, passing Katy Perry's bus.

FEAR


Mike Watt & Katy Perry's Bus


I was torn between waiting in line to be onstage or to jockey up front before their set to take pics, and opted on the latter. They were hands down my favorite set of the day, and though I didn't get to talk to Joe Escalante, I was happy to see him onstage again.

The Vandals






We were pretty much done and ready to leave after The Vandals, but I thought I should take advantage of the photo pass and snap some shots of Angels and Airwaves. The sun was quickly setting so all the photogs were using flash, which I tried to use to my advantage, but I had to keep switching my settings. I don't have anything to say about the band except that Tom is clearly his own brand and there will always be kids who love him, no matter what he does. The photo pit was full, I almost got Tom's shoe in my face about three times, and there was a line of about 20 security behind us to catch all the girls who were getting passed over the crowd.

Angels & Airwaves






After the three song photo limit, we were done and took the back way home, stopping for dinner at a Hawaiian BBQ place in National City. I would've loved to catch the CityBeat party at Basic and the Swim Party/Calico Horse show at the Casbah, but I had to work on Friday and I knew it was going to be pretty hectic. Instead, I was in bed by 10 pm. Huge thanks to O for hooking me up. Last year I went to Warped and while it was fun, the bands weren't really my speed with all the Emo and Screamo, but this year it seemed back to it's punkier roots and I really was impressed with the bands that I saw. Not a bad way to spend a day off of work.

Or, The Whale, Silent Comedy, Hotel St. George @ Casbah, 8.11.08

I previously posted some video from Or, The Whale and The Silent Comedy but I didn't really talk about the show at all. I made sure to get there really early because I wanted to see all three bands and wanted to have some good patio time before the show, too.

I hung with Hotel St. George in the back until showtime. I don't know what's up with Matt lately, but there's something so relaxed and comfortable when he's onstage, and the band sounds tighter each time they play. It's really a pleasure to see them.

I was looking forward to seeing Or, The Whale for the first time, since I was out of town last time they were here. I had received one of the best press packages I've ever received, which started with an email via MySpace, and later was a personalized letter from the band including a copy of their CD. Because it was so nice, I really wanted to preview the show, but I knew there would be no problem filling up the Casbah, even on a Sunday night, because people can't get enough of the Silent Comedy. I was also happy to find out that two of the members were born and raised in San Diego, so they have ties here.

Their set really blew me away. They're less a band, more a collective, switching up instruments and vocal responsibilities. The music is reminiscent of old country like The Carter Family. The pipes on the girls were incredible. Since the lights were busted, I mostly captured video, and just took in the show.



Last up was The Silent Comedy and the Casbah was nearly sold out. Natalie and I were up front alternating taking video. Since the lights blew, I thought I'd mess around with my camera and use the sepia setting.







The show was a blast, and I got a chance to talk to Or, The Whale who were as friendly as they are talented. The night was the perfect seal on a great weekend.

Here were a couple more videos of The Silent Comedy that I didn't post before.


"Mrs. Miller"