Grammy Performance Wrap Up

I decided while watching the Grammy's last night to recap all 23 (!!!!!!) performances from the Grammy's. I decided to do this because, well I needed a better first entry than the Motley Crue show review, and I think this is the first time the Grammy's got a lot of things right. Hit the jump to see all the reviews and videos from every performance.




• U2 (Get On Your Boots) – It was U2. Plain and simple. Don’t know if it was just me or what, but it sounded horrible. I could barely hear Bono’s nasally voice and the bass was pretty none existant. Kind of a boring way to start off the night if you ask me.


• Al Green, Justin TImberlake, Keith Urban, and Boyz 2 Men (Let’s Stay Together) – Good, minus the part where Boyz 2 Men barely sang. I have to say I am a fan of Boyz 2 Men and the fact that I could barely hear them is unfortunate. Other than that, really cool to see Al Green performing. Especially since he was a last minute addition to the performance lineup b/c of the Chris Brown assault of Rihanna. Thank god for battery? Yea sorry.



• Coldplay, Jay-z (Lost, Viva La Vida) – Loved the simple piano rendition of Lost ft. Jay-z though it was cut short to the start of the overplayed, in my opinion, Viva La Vida. Even though i think the bands have to play the song they are nominated for, I would have rather seen a performance of the newest single “Life in Technicolor II” or even "Lover's In Japan."



• Carrie Underwood (Don’t Even Know Your Last Name) – Looking extremely leggy, the all grown up American Idol winner from 2005. Good performance for a 26 year old woman who sings about hooking up with someone that she doesn't know their last name. OH and being Americas sweetheart.



• Kid Rock (Amen, All Summer Long, Rock n Roll Jesus) – I was actually surprised to find myself bobbing my head to the song “Amen,” thinking why am I doing this to Kid Rock, then I realized that it didn't sound like him at all, cause he broke into his two other singles and I was actually wanting him to stop and sing “Bawitaba.”



• Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus (Fifteen) - The life of a fifteen year old is clearly hard, especially when Miley Cyrus sounds like she is going through puberty. You can borrow my razor if you want sweetie. Fortunately for Taylor Swift, she actually wrote the song, sang it beautifully, and will have the last laugh in the end because her dad is not Billy Ray Cyrus.



• Jennifer Hudson (You Pulled Me Through) – It is hard to say anything bad about Jennifer Hudson because of the tragedy she and her family have gone through the past year, but............ I have to say it was a bit hard to understand what she was actually singing. Moving performance nonetheless, seeing her cry on stage, the choir with her, and the standing ovation.

NO VIDEO BECAUSE COPYRIGHT WONDERS

• Jonas Brothers, Stevie Wonder (Burning Up, Superstition) – First of all, I find it offensive that Stevie Wonder is singing background vocals to the Jonas Brothers, BUT IS ABSOLUTELY KILLING IT! As for the Jonas Brothers, well I commend them on doing as well as they have. But that’s it. Stevie Wonder singing Superstition puts a giant smile on my face and makes me think that the 3 pre pubescent boys running around him are just backing.



• Katy Perry (I Kissed A Girl) – I feel like I have a personal connection with Katy Perry (not in that way). Back in 2006 when I was Music Director for Grossmont Colleges radio station, KGFN, I got a personal package from a one, Katy Perry. In it was a letter from her saying, "Andrew, I would be so jived if you would play my first single, "Ur So Gay," from my self-released debut album..." etc. I threw it away. Jokes on me.



Estelle Feat. Kanye West - American Boy (Live)
by wonderful-life1989

• Kanye West ft. Estelle (American Boy) – Killer flat top mullet. Glad he is performing an older song and not the auto tune infused “Love Lockdown” OH, and killer gloves.

NO VIDEO BECAUSE COPYRIGHT WONDERS

• Kenny Chesney (Better As A Memory) – Country music is definitely not my favorite genre of music. That being said, I respect Kenny because my mother says he is the most gorgeous man on the earth. Props to you sir.



• M.I.A., Kanye West, T.I., Lil’ Wayne, Jay-Z (Paper Planes, Swagger Like Us) – First off, I want to say I almost missed the whole performance cause I was trying to adjust my yellow A/V cable trying to get color back. But I do have to say I enjoyed the performance. M.I.A. was due today, and still did that awesome job. Felt like the song was cut short a little bit though. The whole collaboration was very cool and was my favorite performance up until that point.



• Paul McCartney ft. Dave Grohl (Saw Her Standing There) – My girlfriend and I are watching this and she asks “Who are these other two guys?” I reply with, “I’ll you what they are, They are STOKED!” Honestly, this now became my favorite performance of the night. Paul McCartney has just made me even more excited for Coachella. Dave Grohl, as always, sounded amazing on the skins, and was my favorite part of the whole night because of the shit eating grin he had on his face the whole time.



• Sugarland (Stay) - As I said earlier, not the biggest country fan. But I can definitely appreciate a good voice and attractive woman doing those vocals (even if she does weird stage moves).

• Adele ft. Sugarland (Chasing Pavements) – I have to say, 19 was by far one of my favorite releases of 2008. For a 20 year old to sound like she does is absolutely mind boggling. Even though she got 4 nominations, I still think “Chasing Pavements” was an extremely underplayed single, and the whole album in general was under appreciated. Congrats to her.



• Radiohead ft. USC Marching Band (15 Step) – Apparently Thom Yorke has swagger. And apparently, Colin, Ed, and Phil have been replaced by 30 college students who will never speak about anything else besides performing with Radiohead. Honestly, I felt like I was missing something with the performance. I liked it and everything but, I don’t know. I’d like to know if the reason the band came in is because the other guys couldn’t make it. But hey, it’s Radiohead, can’t complain.

Justin Timberlake & T.I. - Grammys 2009 (Dead & Gone)
by Rock_You_Justin

• T.I. and Justin Timberlake (Dead and Gone) – Definitely a decent performance for a song I had never heard. Justin Timberlake is kind of untouchable at this point. T.I. just barely getting out of a 30 year sentence on gun posession, not so much. Best part was the breakdown with the dudes drumming on buckets.



• Smokey Robinson, Jamie Foxx, Neyo, and Duke Fakir (Reach Out, I Can’t Help Myself) – This is the music I grew up on. Especially the Four Tops because of my Grandma. Earlier I said Paul McCartney was the best, well not anymore. They all sounded amazing.

LINK HERE (CANNOT EMBED)

• Neil Diamond (Sweet Caroline) – Neil is looking GOOD! Now this man has swagger. Glad he got his number one spot on the charts and glad I got to stand in my living room clapping, yelling, and waking up my mother. So Good, So Good, So Good!

VIDEO NOT AVAILABLE B/C OF COPYRIGHT WONDERS

• John Mayer, Keith Urban, B.B. King, and Buddy Guy (Hey, Bo Diddley) – Classic and awesome tribute to a massive contributor to Rock and Roll. With some legends in their own right playing. No not Mayer or Urban. Though, “Your Body is a Wonderland” still gives me chills. Wait. What?


• Lil’ Wayne ft. Robin Thicke, Alan Toussaint, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Terrence Blanchard (Tie My Hands) – One of the more serious songs on Lil’ Waynes ridiculous album, Tha Carter III. Definitely proves to me that Lil’ Wayne can actually do some decent Hip Hop. Very cool tribute to New Orleans.



• Robert Plant & Allison Krauss ft. T. Bone Burnett (Rich Woman, Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)) – Seeing Robert Plant on stage singing does two things for me. Makes me happy that he can still sing. And makes me mad that he will never perform with Led Zeppelin again. Another great song from a really good album. Plus Allison Krauss sounds and looks really good. Robert Plant described the music best, spooky and eerie. Love it.



• Stevie Wonder (All About the Love Again) – Fuck Hilton, Delta Airlines, the voiceover girl, John Cosette Production, AEG Ehrlich Ventures LLC, and CBS for ruining what would have been one of the best Grammy’s in a LONG time by cutting off Stevie Wonder. An amazing song nonetheless for the 30 seconds that I saw.

All in all, I was really impressed with the Grammy's this year. It is the first time I have truly enjoyed watching the Grammy's and agreed with I would say about 70% of the winners of the awards. For the full list of awards (cause it's not only album of the year) go here.

Let me know what you think about this first entry of mine in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Casbah 20th Anniversary Month: A Reflection

Already a week into February and I still haven't taken the time to reflect on my month at the Casbah. Needless to say it was an exciting month. I worked as the official merch girl for the month, peddling posters, shirts, hoodies and stickers night after night. I was there for every night from January 2-31, except for the second Louis XIV show, when I took the night off to catch Uncle Joe's Big Ol Driver do a warm-up show at the Ken Club. And technically, I missed a half night when photographer Sean McMullen and I decided to catch Janu & The Whalesharks at the Beauty Bar before closing out the night at the Casbah for Goblin Cock. You can read my thoughts after the jump.

I've always loved the Casbah. From the first time I entered the bar (back when my ID said my name was "Martha Alicia", it's hard not to feel the spirit of all the musical legends that have graced the stage. My first Casbah show was Whiskeytown and I only wish I had been a better diarist in my life because I've had the pleasure of seeing so many inspired performances in the last dozen or so years of my life.

People have asked how I got the gig, and I don't really know. Over the past couple years I just kinda made the Casbah home, and during my brief stint at CityBeat, I took advantage of press access. That courtesy has been extended to me even as that position came to an end. On occasion, bands request a merch person, and Tim Pyles passed my number on to Tim Mays and I've had the great fortune of working for some incredible bands, including Cat Power, The Melvins, and Nick Cave, to name a few. There were even times where I was given the unusual task of babysitting for bands, including The Boredoms from Japan. When the anniversary was getting closer, I knew I wanted to be close to the action and when the decision was made to make anniversary merchandise, I was all over it.

The month had so many incredible shows it would be really pointless for me to recap all of them but suffice it to say, every night brought new faces, new sounds, and new friends. Certainly there were some standout shows. Some nights the bar was so packed I didn't get to catch the bands inside, some nights were less so, so I could run in for a song or two and take pictures. Below, some of my favorite shows and a random smattering of pictures from throughout the month:

Lucy's Furcoat, The Blackout Party, DJ Shuffledust- January 8. I have gushed about Lucy's Furcoat on this site to know why this show was a big one for me. It was really just a great night. For one, because Jake was playing with Blackout Party, it was my first night with a designated driver, which meant I could party loosely and rock out to the bands. I think it was one of the best Blackout sets I've seen to date and I was able to take some pics (which I posted here). I was also glad I got to see both bands on Thursday because the Friday performance was a night of mayhem. I don't really know what happened except there were a lot of people tossed out that night, someone choked Andrew, someone fell on broken glass and required an ambulance, cops were called, and Charlie had to stop the show more than once to tell everyone to chill out. Not cool, but like I said, I was glad to have gotten my fill on Thursday.

The Hatchet Brothers, C.L.A., Janu and the Whalesharks- January 11, 2009- This was a great night because (1) Janu & The Whalesharks are phenomenal, (2) C.L.A. shows, while always a little sad and reflective, always bring out a great crowd, and (3) I got to see Hatchet Brothers for the first time in several years, and they were joined by Steve Poltz who only added to the amazing performance. You can see video and pics here.

Anti Monday League presents Furious IV, Olive Lawn, Radio Wendy, The Old In Out- January 12, 2009- I still think after the whole month was said and done, this was the most fun I had at a show. Partially because it was a true Anti-Monday League show, so there were a lot more familiar faces. Then there's the fact that I got to take some pics of Ian of Furious IV and the lights were bright enough to make me feel like I might've actually taken okay photos, and then of course, I met Rob Schneider who just came up to me, put his arm around me, and asked me the most important question you can ask a native San Diegan: "Where can I get a good burrito around here?" Pictures here and here.

Meat Puppets, The Shaky Hands, I See Hawks in L.A.- January 13, 2009
I loved this show because it was much more country-soaked than I expected and because the manager of Meat Puppets was such a nice guy. Some managers can be really aggressive or pushy, but he was helpful, thoughtful, and let me do what I was starting to think I do best: sell. It's too bad their shipment hadn't arrived or we might've sold a whole lot more. At the end of the night, we settled and he also hooked me up with a shirt and a CD, which as I would learn, while common, isn't necessarily customary.





The Album Leaf, Ilya, Via Satellite- January 17, 2009
What can I say? I love working for Jimmy LaValle. He's got some of the coolest merch around and he's got this huge contingent of fans who always make the trek from Tijuana who make for a fun night. It was also my first time ever seeing Drew Andrews in Via Satellite (at least that I could remember), so hearing their sweet performances made for a lovely night, if not for a break from much louder nights.

Three Mile Pilot, Little White Teeth, Theresa Andersson- January 18, 2009-
I'm only going to mention this show because it was a first for me: first time puking at the Casbah. And I was dead sober. I don't know if I was struck by a quick flu, whether I was just exhausted, or if it was food poisoning from the meal I had earlier in the day, but when the bartenders told me to drink bitters and soda, they said it would either make me feel better or make it all come out. It did the latter and I felt like absolute hell, trying to enjoy the beautiful music of Theresa Andersson, Little White Teeth, and Three Mile Pilot, but hoping the night would end quickly. It did, I slept the entire next day, waking in time for night two of Three Mile Pilot, and there was not a trace of illness, thankfully. Still, I never thought my first time puking at the Casbah would have nothing to do with alcohol. Which is kinda funny, if you think about it. The next two nights of Three Mile Pilot were absolutely incredible and the setlists were different every night, and working for Pall is such a joy that if he ever needed someone to sell his goods on the road, I would go in a heartbeat. The only bummer for me is that their shows are backed by visuals, so I didn't even bother trying to take pictures. I think Sean has some, however, so you can always see his stuff at Mickspace.com or check out Eric Rife's photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/librarianeric/.









Creedle, Optiganally Yours, soul junk, The Nephews - January 25, 2009
I really hoped that I'd be able to see the No Knife show, but it was very oversold and it was a busy night on the patio, as it normally is on a Friday but more so because of the bands. But, it's what I signed up for, right? So a couple days later I was really jazzed about the daytime show. I knew it would be a much looser day, people casually arriving throughout the day. The bands absolutely killed and it's funny that seeing Rob Crow in a tutu made me realize how lucky we are to have so many talented and creative people here in San Diego, and that this music community is so tight that even when bands go across the country or the world for that matter, the Casbah is always home and a place to play new, experimental, and innovative music to friends new and old.





The rest of the month was just as fun as the beginning and I have to admit I was a little sad when it all came to an end because every night truly was a new musical adventure. 5 hoodies, 12 t-shirts, and 20 CDs later, I still have my mementos from the bands to remember the month. The best thing, though, is that just because the anniversary month is over, the new musical adventures are not, and I fully intend to get back to seeing new music at all the great venues around town. Oh, and if anyone ever needs a merch girl, you know who to call!

Casbah Posters Now Available Online!

I received several inquiries about Casbah merchandise and posters that were available in January. Dave Lively put up an online store where you can order any of the anniversary posters. I'll still get back to those people that asked about shirts when I get my shit together and make a trip to the post office.

MerchLackey Online Posters available here.

Things To Do In San Diego: February 9, 2009

These listings almost didn't happen because my computer is dying. If you find these a valuable resource, please consider a donation to the site so I can keep doing these with a functional computer. Special thanks to Andrew WP who started the listings off.

Monday, February 9, 2009:

• Freeks (Isiah - Earthless, Lady Dottie; Carl and Andy - Zen Guerrilla; Glen - Wellwater Conspiracy; Ruben - Nebula), Sassy, Pant Hoots @ Casbah
• Tim Reynolds, TR3, Marcus Eaton @ Belly Up
• Lady Dottie & The Diamonds @ U-31
• Breaker Breaker One Niner, The Anchor, and Motionless @ Radio Room
• The Blokes @ Hensley’s Flying Elephant
• Stewed, Screwed, and Tatooed Industry Night $3 Sailor Jerry @Ruby Room (No Cover)
• The Husky Boy All-Stars: DJs Buddha & Duse@ Bar Pink
• Blues Jam hosted by Mystery Train @ O'Connell's
• Open Mic Night @ Lestat's
• Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
• Movie Night @ Soda Bar
• Micele Lundeen@ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge

Blink-182 Reunites

Just got this press release about an hour ago:

Hi. We're blink-182.
This past week there’ve been a lot of questions about the current status of the band, and we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To put it simply, We're back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again. Friendships reformed. 17 years deep in our legacy.

Summer 2009.

Jason Mraz to play House of Blues

Scott Russo, of Unwritten Law, lost his home to a fire this week. The home had no fire insurance and it was a total loss. To support Scott and his family, a benefit show will take place on Tuesday at House of Blues featuring Jason Mraz, Unwritten Law, and a special guest. Tickets go on sale Monday at noon via Ticketmaster.com, HoB.com, or LiveNation.com. Tickets will cost $50-$75 plus a billion dollars in service charges.

From 91X.com:

Scott is the financial supporter of his entire family. "I am at a complete loss for words," Russo says. "My entire family is now homeless, all our pets are dead and all our earthly possessions are gone. In these tough times, my family had been out of work, and the financial burden was too heavy for me to afford home insurance. I’m left with nothing in this world except my family, friends and band, who I’m very thankful are ok. The support from my friends has been overwhelming."

Things To Do In San Diego: February 7-8, 2009

Saturday, February 7, 2009:

• Swim Party, Gray Ghosts, Le Switch @ Ken Club
• The Soft Pack (formerly Muslims), Christmas Island, Cement Fix @ Casbah
• Archons, Hostile Combover, Bumbklaat, Ride The Sun @ Radio Room
• Oaks, Fever Sleeves, Raise the Guns @ Ruby Room
• Matt & Kim @ The Loft, UCSD
• Boogie Nights presents 80s Fever with Hyper Crush & DJ Tommy Coxx @ Belly Up
• Agua Dulce, Voz Alta art, DJ Unite, Ant Bo @ Beauty Bar
• Deep Rooted Album/Video Release Party, hosted by Taja, with Armory, No Sucker DJs @ U-31
• Rio Peligroso, The Bible Brothers @ Rebecca's Coffee (South Park)
• Scott Wilson and the Complications, Among The Storm, I Am The Heart Attack, Heavy Cessna @ Dream Street
• EOTO @ Winston's
• Eric Macek, Alex Kogan @ 710 Beach Club
• The Nards @ Tiki House
• No Sucker DJs @ Bar Pink
• The Motives, Motionless, Code Red, Team Awesome & The Style, Steam Powered Giraffe @ Epicentre
• The Blokes @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
• Frank & Sulo's B-Day Bash feat. Unset, Authentic Sellout @ Brick By Brick
• Sara Haze, Joe Brooks, Dawn Mitschele @ Lestat's
• Lady Vain (CD Release Party), Sunday Times & Los Sweepers @ Soda Bar
• Sycuan Presents Badfish (Tribute to Sublime), Scotty Don't, 3rd Alley @ House fo Blues
• Transport feat. DJs Gabe Vega & Saul Q @ Whistle Stop
• Madball, Hoods, Alpha & Omega, Life Or Death, Blackout @ Soma
• XIFM Presents - Fuzz Huzzi, Corey Wilkins, Psydecar, Eye Ninety @ Cane's
• First Friday Gomango Kids Concert @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (2-4p)
• The 13th Annual Super Blues Fest @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Silent Film Night: The Phantom of the Opera (1925): A Winter Pops Concert @ The Fox Theatre
• Hot Club of Cowtown @ Acoustic Music San Diego (4650 Mansfield, Normal Heights)

Sunday, February 8, 2009:

• Emily's Birthday - Cuckoo Chaos, The Old In Out, Bunky, Tape Deck Mt. (Atari Lounge) @ Casbah
• John Meeks, Vast Atlantic, Silverleaf, DJ Outlaw @ Beauty Bar
• Jesse Michaels (ex-Operation Ivy), Kevin Seconds, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Ready The Jet @ Radio Room
• Halloween Swim Team (click to stream MP3), The Girl With Violent Arms @ Soda Bar
• The Tighten Ups @ Bar Pink
• Circa Survive, Halos, Endless Hallway @ Soma Sidestage (No tickets available)
• Lil Geechie, Young Co, D-Mac, Kenny Vic, Family Tree, Flow Family, Corona Boy Hustlaz @ Brick By Brick
• Tribe of Kings/Reggae Vibes @ U-31
• Blue Experience with Ivan Cheong & Kenny Eng @ Portugalia
• Megasapien, The Color of Glass, Little Red Radio, Alex Kogan @ Ruby Room
• Teresa Storch, Greg Friedman @ Lestat's
• Sycuan Presents "Ska is Dead IV" featuring Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Toasters, Buck-O-Nine, Deal's Gone Bad, The Skank Agents, Grim Luck @ House Of Blues
• The Carlos Blues Experience @ Winston's (5-8p)
• Jose Sinatra's OB-o-ke @ Winston's
• Too Many Creeps feat Mario O. & friends @ Whistle Stop
• Nappy Roots @ The Loft, UCSD
• Jason Weber @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (11a)
• Walter Gentry @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (5:30 pm)
• Patrick Yandall @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (8pm)
• My Many Colored Days: A Dr. Seuss Family Festival Concert @ Symphony Hall, 2pm

Joshua James, Casbah, 2.6.09

I'm still in awe of the performance delivered by Joshua James and his band tonight. I didn't take a ton of pictures, mostly because the performance was so intense that I kinda stood there dumbfounded like a big dork, even having to remind myself to breathe every once in a while, but also because Joshua's performances have a theatrical element to them and I didn't want to interrupt. I'll give the show a proper write-up, but in the meantime, here are two songs from tonight. Joshua's new album drops in April and- keeping fingers crossed- they are expect to tour more extensively after the release.

Joshua James, "Magazine"


Joshua James, "Dangerous"

Michael Cera Mocks Christian Bale

I think I love Michael Cera even more than before after watching this video, so I thought I'd share. (strong language- don't play it with your boss over your shoulder)

Show Recap: Motley Crue, Cox Arena, 2/2/09

I didn't attend the Motley Crue show at Cox Arena this past Monday Night, but Andrew of X1FM.com did, and agreed to write a review for your reading pleasure (and with the promise that I'd give him the signed Motley Crue pick guard that I received as a promo item. You can follow Andrew on Twitter @andrewwp.


Every once in a while you get the rare chance to see those bands that ruled the Hollywood Strip in the 80's. But usually it's at a casino lounge, Rock of Love premier party, or a Celebrity Fit Club. It is usually not in an arena that houses about 30,000 people. And it's even more shocking that the house was packed. Such is the case on Monday, February 2nd 2009 at San Diego's Cox Arena, where Motley Crue opened their 29 city Saints of Los Angeles 2009 Tour.

I had been a fan of the Crue for a long time, but in no way was I expecting what I saw considering the average age of Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, and Tommy Lee is 51 years old. But from the moment they hit the stage with that initial flying guitar riff of "Kickstart My Heart" it was nonstop fun throughout the whole night. The 16-song set which featured songs from all their albums pre 90's and also three songs from their new album "Saints of Los Angeles" was jam packed with every Crue trick in the book.

Each member had their own little stint on stage by themselves talking to the crowd, minus Mick Mars who didn't talk to the crowd through his mouth, but his ten minute solo spoke to me. And from that point on I found myself watching him the most. All the guys in the band still have talent, but Mars absolutely rips on every solo and looks to be thoroughly enjoying what he is doing. The night wouldn't have been complete without some sort of debauchery, so whether it was the hardcore lesbian porn being shown on the three big screens throughout the show, Nikki Sixx calling out a girl in the crowd for throwing a bottle at him and then telling her to perform a certain fallacious act on him, Tommy Lee handing out a bottle of Jager to the crowd, or ending the night with the best power ballad out there "Home Sweet Home," I for the first time in my life, felt like a Crue head. And then I wanted to go home and take a shower.

Setlist

"Kickstart My Heart"
"Wild Side"
"Shout At the Devil"
"Saints of Los Angeles"
"Live Wire"
"Too Fast For Love/On With the Show"
"Louder Than Hell"
"Motherfucker of the Year"
"Don't Go Away Mad"
"Same Ol Situation"
"White Trash Circus"
"Primal Scream"
"Looks That Kill"
"Girls Girls Girls"
"Dr. Feelgood"
"Home Sweet Home"

Things To Do In San Diego: February 6, 2009

Friday, February 6, 2009:

• Open Door Session feat. Writer @ X1FM (Live in studio, all ages, free, or stream online live at 7pm @X1FM.com
• Greg Laswell, Jesca Hoop, Joshua James @ Casbah (Sold Out)
• Steve Poltz @ Lestat's
• The Widows, The Glossines @ Ken Club
• Scott Weiland @ Dreamcatcher Lounge at Viejas
• Syndicate, Qu’est-ce Que C’est, The Fascination @ Soda Bar
• Los Chicharrones Guapos @ Belly Up (Happy Hour, 5:30 pm)
• El Ten Eleven, Tartufi @ Bar Pink
• Charles Musket, Golden Boots, Cuckoo Chaos @ Whistle Stop
• Maystar’s Fashion Whore @ Ruby Room
• Fiction Family feat. Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek @ Anthology (Early show, 7:30pm)
• The Greyboy Allstars, Delta Nove @ Belly Up
• "Electric Feel" feat. Joe Dirt, Carnivorexic, Andrew Decade, Press Money @ Beauty Bar
  Feel The Noise w/DJs Gabe Vega & Saul Q @ U-31
• Bob Marley Birthday Bash feat Elijah Emmanuel and The Revelations @ 710 Beach Club ($2 fish tacos, $2 Dos Equis)
• The Heroin, Motus, Deverb, It Is What It Is @ Dream Street
• Fat Man's Misery, Say When, Alien Monster, Off Track, Bertud, War Like Party @ O'Connell's
• Illfonix Underground @ Radio Room
• The Bleeding Irish @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
• Russ' Going Away Party @ Brick By Brick
• A Night with Danyavaad @ Portugalia
• Rad Girls, Alex Lee & Lee Vice, DJ Ivy @ Winston's
• Teen Violence Awareness feat. The Material, All Star, Stereo Summer, The Haven @ Epicentre
• Blessed By A Broken Heart, LoveHateHero, Karate High School, Kiros, Eyes of An Era @ Soma
• Rare Form Live, The Kneehighs, Pac 10, Parker & the Numberman @ Cane's
• Plato Soul @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (5-7pm)
• Detroit Underground @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers @ Anthology (Late show, 10pm)
• Silent Film Night: The Phantom of the Opera (1925): A Winter Pops Concert @ The Fox Theatre
• Loudon Wainwright III @ Acoustic Music San Diego (4650 Mansfield, Normal Heights)

Do Not Miss Friday At The Casbah: Joshua James & Greg Laswell

Friday night at the Casbah will be the ultimate soul soothing remedy for all that ails you. Get there early enough to catch Joshua James. Easily my favorite album of 2008.

Joshua James "Soul & The Sea"


And of course, the headliner, Greg Laswell:

San Diego County Fair: Calling All Bands

It's true that I've never been a big fan of "Battle of The Band" style competitions, but with the growing pool of talent in San Diego, if the Fair wants to hand out $25,000, then how can I not encourage musicians to participate? Anyway, here's the e-mail:

It’s “Music Mania” this year at the San Diego County Fair! To celebrate that theme, we’re looking for the best musical talent in America, and we’re going to give them $25,000!

The Musicpalooza contest will determine the best band of three or more members, and the best solo singer. The winners of each division will take home $25,000! The judging committee consists of high-profile music industry professionals, so you’ll get some great exposure to the right people.

Do you have the talent, but you just need a break to make it big? Enter now through March 31, make it through the first rounds of judging, and you may be performing live on the Fair’s Grandstand Stage on July 3 as the opening act for a major recording star.

Spread the word! Forward this message to your cousin in Colorado, your friend in Florida or your nephew in Nebraska. The contest is open to all musicians in the U.S. and Baja California.

Get all the details at www.sdfair.com/musicpalooza.

Some News For SD:Dialed In

I just wanted to give a little update on what's been going on around SD:Dialed In HQ (um, my apartment) these days.

First, I wanted to point out some new links. Along with What O Saw (photos from O), I've added links to Discover SD as well as a new photoblog from Michael Klayman. Check them all out and give your support.

I've also been adding to the roster of contributors. Andrew Wehrung, producer at X1FM, wrote a review of Motley Crue that I'll be posting soon. You've probably noticed Ray Suen has been updating more frequently as he tours the world with The Killers. It might take some strong nudging, but Ken (The Dragons, The Bronx) has assured me he'll be writing from the road as The Bronx heads out for a European Tour (and a little bird told me they'll be doing a special Casbah show when they return). Additionally, a shout out to Dagart who will be heading to SXSW with Writer and will be providing coverage for SD:Dialed In, though I suspect he won't be updating while he's there because there is way too much fun to be had to stop and write. Regardless, you can catch him on Twitter @Dagart and read his tales in 140 characters. Last, we've got Jonathan, the biggest beer aficionado I know, who will be providing listings for beer events around town. I'm always open to more contributors, so if you wanna share your adventures around town, or just submit photos of shows, restaurant and bar reviews, or anything relevant to this site, please feel free to email me.

And to all the regular readers, contributors and supporters of SD:Dialed In, this thing can only get better, so thanks for reading, commenting, donating, and supporting our sponsors.

For all the people who inquired about Casbah anniversary merch, you can email your size and address to me. I will finally make a post office run to figure out shipping and you can pay via PayPal and I'll send it off, hopefully in the early part of next week. I expect the cost of shirts to be about $23 with shipping & handling.

For people in San Diego, we do still have Casbah merch available. I'll be there for select shows throughout the month, but you can always ask the bartenders (when they're not busy, of course) and they might be able to help you out.

xo,
rosey

Things To Do In San Diego: February 5, 2009

Thursday, February 5, 2009:

• TNT (Thursday Night Thing) feat. The Heather, Golden Red, Team Abraham @ Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego
• The Bird and the Bee, Obi Best @ Casbah
• Hotel St. George, The Traditionist, Silverleaf @ Radio Room
• U4RIK Thursday feat. Monsters From Mars, The Pears, DJs Lovechild, Press Money @ Beauty Bar (No Cover)
• Crocodiles (welcome back from tour show), Blessure Grave, DJ Mario Orduno @ Soda Bar
• Publicists @ The Office
• Todd Snider, Keith Sykes @ Belly Up
• Vanja James, Katie Leigh & The Infantry, Tori Roze @ Dream Street
• DJ Artisitic & Cros 1 (80s & 90s hip hop)@ U-31
• Eagle & Talon, Dame Satan @ Bar Pink
• Katy Perry, The Daylights @ House of Blues
• Irish Night feat. Skelpin @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
• Melissa Eisler, The Black Dots, The Chimney Fish @ Portugalia
• Cotton Fever, Jordan Reimer @ Lestat's
• theme: Design, Photography, Film, DJ mix architekt @ Ruby Room
• Heretic, Day of Anomie, Tuna Boot @ Brick By Brick
• Diego's Umbrella @ Winston's
• Revival, Steel Foundation, Roots Vision @ 710 Beach Club
• Worst Music Ever feat. DJs Dimitri, Daniel, & Mark @ Whistle Stop
• So Percussion @ The Loft, UCSD
• Canobliss, Sicarus, One Theory & Silence Betrayed @ Cane's
• The Sound Doctors @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Jay Nash, Joey Ryan and En Fuego@ Anthology (Early show, 7:30pm)

State Radio & Amnesty International Join Forces in defense of Death Row Inmate

State Radio has joined forces with Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) to produce an online public service announcement about death-row inmate Troy Davis; Davis has been on death row for 19 years and came within 24 hours of execution twice, despite a strong claim of innocence that, to date, has not been heard in a court of law. State Radio frontman Chad Stokes Urmston heard about Davis and was so moved by the case that he penned the song “State Of Georgia” and has donated it to AIUSA to develop the PSA.

Tonight On Conan: Theresa Andersson

Anybody who had the pleasure to catch one of Theresa Andersson's two performances at the Casbah in January knows that there was a reason why everyone who had the chance to talk to and meet her had no words except, "Amazing!" For those of you who missed it, Theresa will be performing on Conan O'Brian tonight. You can kick yourself afterward for missine her live.


Theresa Andersson & Ryan Hiller

Things To Do In San Diego: February 4, 2009

Wednesday, February 4, 2009:

• Devotchka, Crooked Fingers, Eric Corne @ Belly Up
• Fucked Up, Mika Miko, The Dabbers @ Casbah
• Darren Raser, Gregory Page, Derek Evans @ Lestat's
• Sean’s B-day! with Intransit, DJ EddieKon, DJ Shine-o-Mite, DJ SeanCute@ Ruby Room
• NOFX, Youth Brigade, Smoke or Fire @ House of Blues
• "Beauty Call" w. DJs Schugar, Dibo, live art, no cover @ Beauty Bar
• Frequenz Drop, Soul ABlaze, DJ Mission @ U-31
• The Americans, Squalora (Portland), WarScroll, Fed to the Wolves @ Radio Room
• Female Fronted Bands That Rock @ Portugalia
• Local Red, A Dull Science @ Brick By Brick
• Red Hot Wednesday with Robin and the Dirty Jukebox @ Bar Pink
• Downspell, Carbite, D.P.I. @ Winston's
• Karaoke With Kipper @ Soda Bar
• Intransit Audio, Bad Habit, The Knowz @ 710 Beach Club
• Johnny Eager Band @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Mark Hummel's Harmonica Blowout Featuring John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite, Lee Oskar, Curtis Salgado @ Anthology (Early show, 7:30pm, Late show, 9:30 pm)

Things To Do In San Diego: February 3, 2009

Tuesday, February 3, 2009:

• Tiltwheel, Underminer, The Randies @ Casbah
• Eagles of Death Metal @ Belly Up
• Too Cool For Karaoke: Lady Stardust’s You’re The Star, Man Bowie Con @ Ruby Room
• NOFX, Smoke or Fire, Poor Habit @ House of Blues
• Broken Dreams, DJs Veep, Butter & Gold, Psycho Pop, & Scatterbrains@ Beauty Bar
• Mechanical Bull Riding, DJ Pretty Penny @ U-31
• Tiki Tuesday with Exotica DJ Set by Time Hines @ Bar Pink
• Comedy Night @ Lestat's
• Ishmael & The Peacemakers, The Steppers, DJ Cookbreeze @ Winston's
• Open Mic Night with Jefferson Jay @ Portugalia
• Friends Chill Game Night @ Whistle Stop
• DJ John Philips @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Al DiMeola @ Anthology (Early show, 7:30pm)

Love Is Not Abuse

I'd love to write a post reflecting about my one month stint at the Casbah with photos and highlights of the month, but I saw something on Facebook that made me stop in my tracks and think maybe it was time for me to get really personal for a moment.

***FEBRUARY 2-6, 2009 IS NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WEEK***

The crime of teen dating violence, including physical, emotional and sexual assault, and harassment via in-person, on-phone, texting, email or Instant Messaging is a cruel reality for many American teenagers--a reality of which many parents are unaware.

~~ 62% of tweens who have been in a relationship say they know friends who have been verbally abused (called stupid, worthless, ugly, etc) by a boyfriend/girlfriend.
~~ One in five 13-14 year olds in relationships (20%) say they know friends and peers who have been struck in anger (kicked, hit, slapped, or punched) by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

(Statistics from Love is Not Abuse research effort.)

At 32, it seems weird to even think that I was a part of these statistics, perhaps even before it was recognized as abuse, but my first relationship was full of verbal abuse, and it wasn't until he actually hit me that I woke up and ended things, but I know there are probably a lot of people who are or were in my position and for the benefit of preventing it from happening to someone else, I thought I should just talk about it openly.

The thing about it was that I had a good life. It happened when I was 15 to 17. I had a strong, supportive family, I got good grades, I played three sports in high school, I was in A.S.B., involved in school, and had a lot of friends, and despite all that, nobody close to me really ever knew what I went through with my boyfriend. It was too embarrassing and painful to talk about, and something that was easy to gloss over because the fights got really bad but the making up was always so good. Of course he always said it would never happen again. And of course it did.

In fact, it wasn't until later relationships of being utterly adored and loved that I realized it wasn't normal for someone to be enraged by jealousy, for someone to put you down so bad that you wanna crawl under a rock, that I shouldn't be the emotional or physical punching bag for him to release whatever was going on inside him. But I learned and I'm stronger for it and I only wish that I had reached out to someone back then that might've helped me get out of a year and a half of anguish. It was half my life ago, but I still know exactly how all of that made me feel each and every day. I also know that I was lucky because it could've escalated to a point of no return.

With social sites, prevention hotlines, counselors, etc, there are more ways than ever to reach out to people, and I hope that if anyone reading this finds that they are in a similar situation that they reach out to someone, even if it's me, because I can say you don't deserve to be treated poorly, you do deserve to be loved and you will find and meet people who know how to love without hurting you. For more information, check out the RAINN website here.

For anyone interested, The Material will be performing on Friday at Epicentre for a Teen Violence Awareness event.