Calico Horse, The Donkeys, Swim Party @ Casbah 6.6.08

Friday night had a lot of good stuff going on, but since I finally got the digital advance from Swim Party and missed The Donkeys the last few times they've played, it was a no-brainer to spend Friday night at the Casbah, especially because in addition to those bands, it was Calico Horse's CD. Yes, Emily, it's about time!! We've been waiting for this one forever.

I didn't take Swim Party photos but instead really just took in the music which sounded perfect. I'm so excited for everyone in SD to get their hands on the new album at the end of the month when it's released.

The Donkeys sounded really great too. They still won't let me talk about their record deal and I haven't heard anything new since December. I just occurred to me I should've bought the music they did have on Friday. Gonna have to get my hands on those. They sound like they've embraced their country sound a little more and I really loved it.





Between bands, Joey Barro of The Antiques performed in the Atari Lounge. Here he is with Jesse of the Donkeys. I blushed when we spoke; he is one good looking dude.


Calico Horse finished the night strong and Emily owned the stage with her command of the stage and soaring vocals. I've had the advance for some time now, but hearing the songs live just gives that something extra that you can only get from a live performance. Really, really good stuff.



After the show, some friends came over to my place, but I was done, and crashed out. Plus, I had a big weekend ahead...I needed as much beauty sleep as I could get.

Thursday Nite Thing & Annuals

Thursday Night I was ready to get out and take in some bands. My night started at TNT at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Natalie and I carpooled downtown and got there really early, thinking that with just one band, they would play early, but we found out there was an opener and The Silent Comedy wasn't playing until 9:15.
The alcohol sponsor for the night was a new collection of flavored rums, but I really prefer my drinks to not be flavored. The black cherry cokes were too sweet. We made soaps at one of the display tables then waited for the music. It was
a really beautiful night and unfortunately I forgot the name of the band- I think it was Green Switch? (Correction: band is called Green Pitch) I can't find them online, so if anyone knows, please email me. They're from Denmark and apparently the singer is studying at UCSD and has been here for about a year. She had a sweet voice that reminded me of Frente; Natalie suggested Lisa Loeb? Here's a song performed in Danish(though the rest of the set was in English)





By the time Silent Comedy came onstage, we were kinda stressing about getting to the Beauty Bar ontime, so we compromised and watched most of the set, but left before the last song, which was good because by the time we got to Beauty Bar, both openers were done. The Silent Comedy killed, as they always do, so we made sure to stay for "Bones" and the big "I am alright!" singalong, then we took off.


We completely missed Frantic Romantic and SayVinyl, which was really unfortunate. I'm gonna do a birthday show in Sepetmber and I'm hoping to get both of them to play so we'll see about that...

Anyway, we got there in time to catch all of Annuals set and their stage energy is so great. Actually, I'd say that's true for the whole band except Anna, who really looks like she couldn't be bothered. It wasn't until their last song that I actually saw her smile- but the rest of the band- happy as hell to play. Their set was over by about 11:20 which was a bit of a bummer, because the whole show should've been pushed back a little bit, but it was all good.





After the show there was this green light on the dancefloor that just made my eyes trip out; I couldn't adjust my eyes, so Jeff, Daniel, Abraham and I decided to go to the Ken. Earthless was playing so it was really loud, but we had fun just hanging out at the bar and making fun of the really drunk guy who they kicked out for groping some girl. He had a broken foot and hobbled around telling everyong they're not metal. He was entertaining to say the least and it was a fun way to bring out night to an end.

Team Abraham, The Grams, The Shambles @ HOB 6.1.08

I completely spaced and forgot to post my pictures from the House of Blues from last week. The show was early in the night and the bands were given free tickets to hand out, which was cool, but it would've been nicer if they had those tickets a few days early instead of getting a stack at their soundcheck. We all know I have my issues with HoB but I'm over it...corporate clubs are always gonna be hard for me to love, but I have friends there and things usually end up working out for me so I just have to deal.

Before the show, I wandered with Team Abraham over to Stout where they did a couple quick shots before the show. There weren't a ton of people at the House of Blues but that also meant people weren't talking through the whole show, so I actually liked it. I was taking pictures until security told me no pics were allowed. Why that is true for local bands will never make sense to me, but the stage manager was able to get me one before the next two bands and it was a little satisfying when the same guard tried to talk shit to me.







I was happy to finally see The Grams because for some reason or another I always miss them. They remind me a lot of The Coyote Problem and are more like a Humphrey's/Anthology country/blues/Americana band. Don't expect to see them at Chasers anytime soon is all I'm saying. I like their roadhouse sound and was glad to have seen them.



Last band of the night was The Shambles and they're just always pros onstage. Songs alternate vocally between the four guys up front all mixed in with some group harmonies. It's fun catchy music that feels like summer.





After the show, we swung by the Casbah but I decided to call it a night and headed home without going in. In retrospect, I might've just as well stayed out since later that night I tossed and turned all night with a fever and then missed work on Monday. My week was pretty mellow after that...stayed home all day Monday, did punk nite at the Ken on Tuesday, did nothing on Wed, and then TNT on Thursday. Those pics up next.

Things To Do In San Diego: June 9, 2008

Monday, June 9, 2008:

• Anti-Monday League Presents: The Queers, Lemuria, Bomb the Music Industry, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Kepi Ghoulie - the Asian Man Tour @ The Casbah
• Junior Brown and Rosie Flores and the Riveters @ Belly Up
• Blues Jam Hosted By Mystery Train @ O'Connell's
• Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
• Jay Spazboys Rock n’ Roll Trivia Night @ Chasers
• Industry Night Vinyl Mondays w/ Years Around the Sun, Birds & Batteries @ Beauty Bar
• Joan of Arc, 31 Knots, Japanese Sunday and Nothingful @ Che Cafe
• Hell On Heels @ U-31

Crawling Back To Bed

Wow...what an awesome weekend. Got to see Calico Horse, The Donkeys and Swim Party at the Casbah on Friday, then we had the all day BBQ in Kensington on Saturday, followed by me selling merch for The Ting-Tings who have been blowing my mind all weekend with their CD. All that lead to Sunday where I spent all day at Indy Jam, followed with The Sess at the Casbah and then Abraham and I hung out with MgmT at their hotel for a bit. Such a great weekend and I have so much to write and so many pictures to post but honestly, all I want to do at this second is go back to sleep. I am sooo glad I used one of my "summer days" today. Anyone else's thighs still burning from all those stairs at Devore Stadium?

Today is Awesome

My friends are at my house gearing up for Art Around Adams (which started an hour and a half ago) and we had the grill going, lots of beer flowing and after listening to The Ting Tings CD 4 times over, they busted out their guitars. This is my favorite weather, about 74 degrees with a nice breeze and I gotta say it is a fucking awesome day.

Daniel is gonna be pissed that I'm posting this, but whatever, we'll go kick the soccer ball around some more and he'll get over it...I was giving Jeff a youtube tutorial and here's the result.



Most important is that I'm happier today than I have been in a long while. Yay.

Art Around Adams Set Times

Here's the full schedule for Art Around Adams this weekend. I think I was drunkenly persuaded to have a BBQ around noon tomorrow, but we all know I barely wake up by then. Still, come by, bring some cold beer and we'll get the party goin.

Independence Jam Set Times: aka DON'T BE LATE.

I just called Owen to see if 94/9 wanted to give set times and he said they've been on the site for over a week. If the link from FM949sd.com to www.independencejam.com wasn't working for you (like it wasn't for me), here are the set times for Sunday. All I know is that bus better get me to Southwestern College in time for Nortec Collective...



You rss readers are gonna have to actually click to the site. Set times are in a jpeg.

I cannot wait. I've been excited about a different band every day this week, and today it's Cold War Kids because I realized that its been some time since I've seen them (and sold merch for them). Yay. All Sundays should be this awesome.

Things To Do In San Diego: June 6-8, 2008

Friday, June 6, 2008:

• Calico Horse CD Release feat Calico Horse, Swim Party, The Donkeys, Joey Barro of the Antiques in the Atari Lounge @ Casbah
• The Vision of A Dying World, Red Feathers (Last Show), The Growlers @ Tower Bar
• The Bloody Hollies, Desert Diamonds, DJs Nathan Black & Heresy @ Beauty Bar
• Deadbolt, The Nightmares @ Ken Club
• Society, Bushwalla @ San Diego Sports Club
• Wild Weekend, Naughty Bird, Jamuel Saxon @ Bar Pink Elephant
• D-Town Tijuana 2008 feat MSTRKRFT, LA Riots, Loud Noises, Shark Attack, Buddy Akai, Armand Van Rex, Santiago Le Freak, Rodrigo Espinoza, Luz @ Planeta Tijuana (Downtown Tijuana, Constitucion between 6th & 7th)
• Breaker Breaker One Niner, The Uprising, VW Trainwreck, Critical Me, Peaceable Jones @ Zombie Lounge
• Feel The Noise feat. Mighty Six Ninety, DJ’s Gabe Vega & Saul Q @ U-31
• Fiesta Del Sol Kick off Party - Common Sense, Hoi Polloi @ Belly Up
• Swayze, Audible Mainframe, Rare Form @ 710 Beach Club
• 2MEX, the Resonators, L.C.A., Parker & the Numberman, Magflux, Tidepool, DJ Bluntmaastarr @ Brick By Brick
• Sycuan Presents Cubensis & Highway 61 Revisited @ House of Blues
• Elysia, See You Next Tuesday, Knights Of The Abyss, The Banner, A Girl A Gun A Ghost, @ soma
• Vegitation @ Winston's
• Raekwon plus guests @ 4th & B
• Triniton Meets the Mars People, The Decca Sequence, We Were Born as Ghosts, Witt @ Chasers
• Saba, The Flimz, Ryan Blue @ Lestat's
• Suburban Noize Presents - Hed PE, Subnoiz Soulijaz, Potluck & Dog Boy @ Canes
• Jefferson Starship @ Anthropology (Early Show, 7:30 pm, Late Show, 9:30 pm)
• Plato Soul @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (Early show, 6-8p)
• Rising Star@ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (late show, 9:30pm)

Saturday, June 7, 2008:

• ArtAroundAdams feat bands, art, buskers along Adams, with stages at the Ken Club, Lestat's, Smitty's Garage, and Kadan. Free shuttles between Kensington & Normal Heights. Free, 2-10pm.
• Fiesta Del Sol feat. The Romantics, Elijah Emmanuel and The Revelations, Transfer, Venice, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, Orquesta Primo, Hoi Polloi, Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito, The Seventh Child @ Solana Beach, free, 11am-9p
• The Ting Tings, Anni Rossi, a.m. vibe @ Casbah
• Manuok, The Predicates, Alpha Channel @ Chasers
• Everybody Out, Last Gang, Rat City Riot @ Tower Bar
• The Whiskey Dicks, Boot Hills Gang, Old Devil @ Ken Club
• Eclipse79, The Disco Pimps @ Stage Saloon
• D-Town Tijuana 2008 feat Guns n Bombs, latinsizer, Audio Guns, Heavy Mental @ Planeta Tijuana (Downtown Tijuana, Constitucion between 6th & 7th)
• Big Brown Sound System @ Bar Pink Elephant
• Transport DJs Gabe Vega & Saul @ Whistle Stop
• Switchfoot Bro-Am Afterparty, A Fine Frenzy , Watkins Family Hour (of Nickel Creek), LA Symphony, Musket@ Belly Up
• Sycuan Presents Dead Kennedys with JFA, Mad Parade, Authentic Sell-out @ House of Blues
• Mad Sin, Koffin Kats, Brigitte Handley, the Rocketz, the Strikers @ Brick By Brick
• Mad For Mary @ House of Blues Voodoo Stage (free)
• Danger Danger pres. Voxhaul Broadcast, DJ Mr. White @ Beauty Bar
• Daredevil Jane @ U-31
• Blue Marble @ Winston's (5-7:30pm)
• Elijah Emmanuel & The Revelations @ Winston's (9pm)
• Tiesto @ 4th & B
• - NO HOLDS BARRED- With: Djs Brown Bag Mike and Johnny Crypto @ Zombie Lounge
• Katy Wong, Gabriella, Anna Bentholm @ Lestat's
• Stranger @ 710 Beach Club
• Strung Out, Authority Zero, Critical Me, Chaser @ soma
• Rebirth Brass Band, Wylde Bunch @ Canes
• Viva Santana @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• The Beach Boys, Russ T Nailz @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
• The Fab Faux @ Spreckels
• Making the Band: Danity Kane, Day26, Donnie Klang, and Cheri Dennis @ Viejas Concerts In The Park

Sunday, June 8, 2008:

• Fiesta Del Sol feat. The English Beat, Marc Ford (of the Black Crowes), Stripes and Lines, Diego Roots, Sol e Mar, Atomic Groove, The Credentialed, Fiesta del Sol Youth Showcase, Velouria @ Solana Beach 11a-9pm
• FM 94/9 Independence Jam feat. Flogging Molly, The Hold Steady, Cold War Kids, MgmT, The Whigs, The Ting Tings, Santogold, Nortec Collective, Transfer, Silent Comedy, Kill Me Tomorrow, The Muslims, Blackout Party @ Devore Stadium, Southwestern College
• POSTPONED TIL SEPTEMBER: D-Town Tijuana 2008 feat. Sigur Ros, The Album Leaf, A Beautiful Noise, Casa Wagner, Madame UR y Sus Hombres, Childs, Loopdrop, La Tira Comica @ Planeta Tijuana (Downtown Tijuana, Constitucion between 6th & 7th)
• Frog Eyes, Ramona Cordova (France), Francois Virot (France) and Fantastic Magic @ Che Cafe
• Laura Jane (of tightenups) hosts live stand up comedy with Team Abraham opening @ 7pm. 10th Ave theatre on 930 10th Ave. East Village downtown SD.
• Metalocalypse: Dethklok - The Deth Tour with Chimaira and Silent Green @ House of Blues
• Official FM 94/9 Independence Jam Afterparty with Firewater, The Sess and Christmas Island @ Casbah
• Batwings, Cancer Bullet(Mexicali), Hey Three Eyes(SF) @ Kadan
• Salsa Sunday feat. Orquesta Primo @ Belly Up
• The Elizabethan Resort @ Beauty Bar
• Agent Orchid presents: Big John Bates & the Voodoo Dollz @ Brick By Brick
• The Beatless, Cheese Chasers, VV Morgue, The Crypts @ Zombie Lounge
• Jose Sinatra's OB-o-ke @ Winston's
• Sunday Sessions Roots Reggae @ O'Connell's
• Damien Jordan, Rob Deez, Justin Newman @ Lestat's
• Surf Rock Sunday feat. The Professors @ 710 Beach Club
• 94.9 Presents Reggae Sundays w/ DJ Tommy - Live music from Elephants in Mud @ Canes (2-6pm, free)
• Jamie Plays West Side Story Music w/ Gilbert Castellanos @ Anthropology (Early Show, 7:30 pm)
• Jerome Dawson @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (brunch, 10a-2p)
• Burt Brion @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (8p-12a)

Random Stuff

It has been a relatively mellow week around here for me. I was sick on Monday and didn't even work on my computer except to watch YouTube videos while fighting a fever in my bed, but I got plenty of rest and was feeling better after loads of sleep. Tuesday night found me at the Ken Club for the return of Punk Nite and it was fun though that's usually a quiet blogging from the bar night and looks like it won't be anymore since they're lining up different djs to play music on Tuesdays. I might even do an iPod night there since most of my vinyl consists of Morrissey & Smiths singles and a ton of Rolling Stones and Beatles but not much else. We'll see...

Last night I took it easy and stayed in, which brings me to now. I'm gonna have to grab a bite on my way to Natalie's then off to TNT followed by the Beauty Bar. I'm in a pretty good mood. I've got a 3 day workweek next week then I'm off to Vegas and Disneyland with my family for a week. And don't worry, I should have plenty of time for writing since I have no money for gambling. I went to the Mission Valley library today and picked up two Douglas Coupland books I haven't read and used their free wi-fi at lunchtime, and besides tonight, this whole weekend should be full of good times since I plan on being at Art Around Adams for most of Saturday and will be at Independence Jam for the greater part of Sunday. I'm suddenly feeling very smart for taking next Monday off of work.

Anyway, inspired by Natalies stream of consciousness post, I just wanted to check in since most of my posts this week have been heavily reliant on press releases. And AmateurChemist got a pic of me in photo action at The National which is a brilliant photo because it captures me in all my dorky wannabe photographer glory.


I'll check in this weekend...maybe live blog from the Ken Club on Saturday.
Ciao.

StayClassy.org Tailgate with Flobots

StayClassy is a social group that puts on events around San Diego and donates proceeds to local charities. They're having their 3rd annual tailgate party on July 12. Through next Thursday, tickets are only $10. That includes the tailgate party (at the lot adjacent PetCo Park ) featuring FloBots, Doomtree w/P.O.S., Dirty Sweet, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, and Stepping Feet. The ticket also includes a ticket to the Padres game that evening, as well as an afterparty at the Fleetwood with Shark Attack.

Click here for tickets and more information.

Things To Do In San Diego: June 5, 2008

Thursday, June 5, 2008:

• TNT feat. Silent Comedy, DJ Saul Q @ Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
• The Annuals, SayVinyl, Frantic Romantic @ Beauty Bar
• Rock Against MS Fundraiser - Mama Red and the North Park Band, The Leevyns, Translation: Audio @ Casbah
• Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, The Hacienda Brothers @ Belly Up
• Earthless, Pride Tiger, Hostile Combover, Clean Cuts @ Ken Club
• Patrice Pike, Josh Damigo @ Lestat's
• DJ Kipper Dance Party @ U-31
• The Napolean Complex, Close Talker @ Zombie Lounge
• Road Noise, Mystery Train, Country Rockin’ Rebels @ Brick By Brick
• Karaoke @ O'Connell's
• CHI Club @ Winston's
• The Jukes Family, Yesterday's Papers, Wasting June @ 710 Beach Club
• Living Legends, Murs, Pacific Division, Paul Detah @ Canes
• METRO featuring Chuck Loeb, Mitchel Forman, Eric Marienthal, Dave Weckl & Gerald Veasley @ Anthropology (Early Show, 7:30 pm)
• 5 Miles High @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge

SoCo Music Experience: More acts announced

From NME:

MGMT, Gnarls Barkley and Justice have all been announced to play the 2008 SoCo Music Experience tour, which will travel across the US this summer.

The shows which are free and limited to over 21 year-olds, will call at five cities from June to October and each day will feature 10 bands over two stages.

The first show will be in Denver on June 28 and will feature slots from Gnarls Barkley, Blonde Redhead, Bassnectar, Dead Confederate and Eagle Seagull, while the August 23 show will take place in San Diego and features The Black Keys, Kinky, Saul Williams and other acts to be announced. Entry to this show will require a $5 for the San Diego Music Foundation.

More on Sigur Ros

Per the comment left by a reader, the promoters and band are trying to reschedule the Sigur Ros show in Tijuana to sometime in September. Just in case you don't read Spanish.

Contest: See Annuals at Beauty Bar

Annuals are coming back to San Diego tomorrow night and I've got a last minute contest for you. This is not an sddialedin exclusive but the prizing is kinda cool:

Grand prize: Pair of tickets to see Annuals at Beauty Bar (21+ only)
An animal adoption at the San Diego Zoo!!

Two runners up will receive a copy of Annuals latest ep, Wet Zoo.

Check it out and enter to win HERE.

Even if you don't win, this is the perfect band to play the Beauty Bar patio so bring your dancin' shoes and head out to City Heights for a night.

Things To Do In San Diego: June 4, 2008

Wednesday, June 4, 2008:

• Local H, The Photo Atlas, Firethorn @ Casbah
• Swandive, The Displaced, Sorry Charlie @ U-31
• Knives, Braaiins!!!, Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra @ Zombie Lounge
• Peter Murphy @ House of Blues
• Roxy Monoxide, S.A.T.O.R.I., Mr Roakes Tattoo @ 710 Beach Club
• Shooter Jennings @ Belly Up
• Mr. Gnome, Go West Young Man @ Beauty Bar
• Red Hot Wednesday with Robin and Ratty @ Bar Pink Elephant
• 4th Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am Auction Night Event @ Pacific Coast Grill
• Mike Pinto Band @ Winston's
• Teresa Storch, Jason Luckett, Greg Friedman @ Lestat's
• Never Say Die Presents - MaCabee, Born Tonight & Dapper Dans @ Canes
• KJ Denhert @ Anthropology (Early Show, 7:30 pm)
• DJ John Phillips @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Gary Allen @ Viejas Concerts In The Park

Datarock & Ladytron. Belly Up. 5.31.08

Did I mention I went to see Datarock and Ladytron at the Belly Up on Saturday? Datarock proved to be as awesome as before, red sweatsuits and all. They killed the crowd with faves like "Fa fa fa" and um, is that song called 1984? Whatever. Even me, the non-dancer, found myself dancing and singing away.






I was way into Datarock. Then Ladytron came out, and I don't know if the darkness of the music just put me in a dark place or what, but I thought they would deliver a more upbeat show. Perhaps if I'd listened to the new album more closely, I would've known to expect a heavy set, but this was the one night ever that I thought I'd be dancing and the music never put me there. Maybe I need to be a little more goth.

The other thing was that I found out that the band wanted no photos. Um, Belly Up, I took some anyway. The place was all dark save for their beatiful light boxes, which of course were synchronized to the music. Honestly, now in retrospect, I think it was all me. I wanted happy dancey shit, and instead it was dark and heavy. Still, perhaps 'dancey' for some, but I wanted way more energy from the band, perhaps to equalize the sold out Belly Up crowd.






All was good, however. I found some friends outside while Dagart danced his socks off inside. It was really a great night and after the Belly Up, we had time to chill and then make our way back south to the Ken where we got sufficiently enebriated and I could just walk my way back home. A successful night, indeed.

News Flash: Zombie Lounge- SOLD!!

Ah, how punk nite reveals so much. The Zombie Lounge was sold and will be closed for at least two weeks. The last night open as it exists? I'm not sure, but they're trying to move current shows to other bars...Chasers, The Ken...so pretty immediate. If I can get anything more out of all the drunk punk-rockers, I will post here. Hey Reader...steal this story, you owe me $25, Bitches.

Sigur Ros Postponed

Word on the street is that the venue, promoters, and tour management of Sigur Ros are trying to find another suitable date for the Sigur Ros to make up the show that is being cancelled on Sunday, so hang on to your tickets.

In the meantime, no excuses not to grab your tickets for Indy Jam. Chula Vista is just like going to Tijuana, after all, right? (That is supposed to be 100% funny. I am Chula Vista born and bred and I'm damn proud of it.)

Sigur Ros Canceled?

Rumors are that Sigur Ros canceled their appearance in Tijuana that was scheduled for Sunday night. If you have info, please e-mail me with confirmation.

Update: Trev confirmed on X1FM that all of Sunday has been canceled, due to some problems getting the band's equipment to Tijuana. Looks like all you ticketholders can make it to Independence Jam after all. I will post refund information when I track it down, but seems to me that people who bought a 3 day pass are probably screwed. If I hear any different, I'll update via Twitter.

Update 2: I'm gonna rescind the "confirmation" as I now hear things are still trying to be worked out. I have a really hard time believing that equipment can't get from Iceland to Tijuana in 4-6 days. Sigur Ros is also scheduled for two other dates in Mexico this week. No word on if those dates are affected by this snafu, but I'll continue to update if I hear anything.

Raconteurs Announce Tour with The Kills: Presale Now

The Raconteurs have announced a tour with the Kills this fall, and will be playing San Diego on September 24 at the Open Air Theatre. Guess that means no Street Scene for those two bands.

Anyway, presale for the shows starts on Tuesday at 1 pm if you go to the fansite HERE. Other presale times listed after each venue.

9/16/2008 Roseland Theater Portland,OR 6/3/2008 1:00:00 PM
9/19/2008 WAMU Theatre @Qwest Field SEATTLE,WA 6/3/2008 1:00:00 PM
9/22/2008 Greek Theatre Los Angeles,,CA 6/3/2008 1:00:00 PM
9/24/2008 San Diego State Open Air Amphitheatre San Diego,CA 6/3/2008 1:00:00 PM
9/25/2008 Santa Barbara Bowl Santa Barbara,CA 6/3/2008 1:00:00 PM
9/29/2008 Cannon Center Memphis,TN On Sale Now
9/30/2008 Ryman Auditorium Nashville,TN PreSale Closed
10/1/2008 Tabernacle Atlanta,GA On Sale Now

Thanks to Andrea for the heads up.

Things To Do In San Diego: June 3, 2008

Tuesday, June 3, 2008:

• Original Punk Nite is Back! Nice Boy DJs @ Ken Club
• The Black Angels, The Warlocks @ Casbah
• The Cure, 65daysofstatic @ Cox Arena, SDSU
• An evening with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic @ Belly Up
• Tiki Tuesday with Secret Samurai @ Bar Pink Elephant
• Trans Am Tuesday feat. My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, DJ Heather Hardcore @ Beauty Bar
• Eco Save, New Dayze, Rey Fresco @ Winston's
• Comedy Night hosted by Josh Mullins @ Lestat's
• American Tuesdays - Karaoke/Industry Night - $3 U Call Its @ Canes
• Turiya Mareya Latin Jazz Ensemble @ Anthropology (Early Show, 7:30 pm)
• Acoustic Campaign @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge

Brief Notes

I'm done writing for the night but wanted to mention a couple things:

- I'm hoping I'll get to posting all my listings for the week on Monday night, so check back in.

- Looking ahead to next weekend (already) and I'm excited for two big events:

The first, on Saturday, is Art Around Adams. Many of the galleries, restaurants, salons and coffee shops on Adams Avenue will be open and have art on display by local artists. Additionally this year there will be music all day. Kadan will be feature DJs and electro-ish music, Lestat's will host acoustic acts, there will be an outdoor stage at Smitty's, and the Ken Club will have bands all day. The event is free and will run all day from 2-10pm with free shuttles running between Kensington and Normal Heights. I'm helping out the promoters with some booking, so if you're available to play, shoot me an e-mail and I'll see if we can work your band into the event.

The second big event next weekend is FM 94/9's Independence Jam on Sunday at Southwestern College. Tickets are $40 flat and the station has added shuttles that include a ride to and from the show and a burrito for the ride home for $10. Shuttles will run from 3 places: Hamilton's in South Park, Winston's in OB, and Cass Street Grill in Pacific Beach. Tickets for the shuttle are available at the pick-up spots and are limited, so get yours early. It's really unfortunate that the Sigur Ros show in TJ is the same night, but you can't do it all, right? I'm really looking forward to this lineup, particularly Nortec Collective, The Ting Tings, Santogold and the local stage.

- In between shows this weekend, I spent a lot of time at home just chilling out and had a chance to read Troy Johnson's book, Family Outing: What Happened When I Found Out My Mother Is Gay and it's excellent. I couldn't put it down. It's a little strange reading something so personal from a good friend but I really learned a lot about my friend and I'm really, really proud of him. You can pre-order the book or see him at one of his book readings/signings at Borders and The Whistle Stop later this month. The book is officially released on June 12.

- This week I'll get around to posting about the shows I caught this weekend, including LadyTron and Datarock at the Belly Up as well as Team Abraham, The Grams and The Shambles at the House of Blues.

Guess that's all for now. Off to dreamland.

Things To Do In San Diego: June 2, 2008

Monday, June 2, 2008:

• Anti-Monday League presents: The Swayback (Denver,CO) The Burning of Rome plus Django James and the Midnight Squires @ Casbah
• Industry Night VINYL Mondays feat. Tempo No Tempo, Stepsonday @ Beauty Bar
• Metal Monday w/ She Is A Liar, Rise of Caligula and Black Ambulance @ Zombie Lounge
• Mechanical Bull Riding Hosted By Laura Jane @ U-31
• Kipper's Trivia Night @ Whistle Stop
• Open Mic hosted by Isaac Cheong @ Lestat's
• Lady Dottie & The Diamonds @ Tower Bar
• Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
• Grown Folk Music with Lorenzo and DJ Buddha @ Bar Pink Elephant
• Blues Jam hosted by Mystery Train @ O'Connell's
• Chet Cannon's Blue Monday Blues Party @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge

Swervedriver & Film School, Casbah 5.30.08

Friday night I had to make my way to The Casbah early since I was going to be selling the swag for Swervedriver and Film School. Film School was readying their sound check while Adam, Steve and I rolled shirts. Doors opened shortly after we finished counting out merch and I never stopped being busy. People bought a lot of stuff. We had shirts, posters, buttons, Adam's solo CD, and a tour only 7" vinyl that people bought in loads. It was a little chaotic, but it was cool to see how excited Swervedriver fans were to see them. A couple fans showed up in their 10 or 15 year old Swervedriver t-shirts. The fans were rabid.

Sometimes when I sell stuff I can break and get into the venue for some pictures, but since people were trickling to the stand all night, I didn't leave my post except for a quick bathroom break and a couple drink refills. From what I could hear on the patio, both bands were great, though unfortunately Swervedriver played relatively quiet. They sounded clean, not as fuzzy and distorted as back in the day, but I enjoyed it. Adam was a total pleasure to work for and before their set continued to check on me to see if things were ok.





Alex (from Swim Party) took a couple pics inside for me.


After the show it got really busy at the merch and for the first time I was hoping Ben would sweep everyone out of the Casbah. Eventually that time came till it was just the two bands, Heather and Eric from M-Theory and myself. Adam and I settled the merch, he hooked me up with a CD and a shirt, and he invited me on the bus "for a spot of tea." Outside Film School was hanging out deciding where and what they were gonna do so I said goodbye and joined The Swervies on their bus.



Adam pointed to the cold beer and we chatted and minutes later Film School came onboard. We had a couple beers before the driver got irritated and told us they were leaving in 5 minutes.



It would've been cool to keep hanging out but no such luck, so I was on my way back to Kensington. Then, the unexpected- Adam kissed me goodnight. Nothing pervy or weird, just a nice little peck on the lips. I blushed, said goodnight, then skipped off into the night.