Weekend Recap: Friday/Saturday

What a weekend, and it’s not even over. I haven’t blogged all weekend because I’ve been out doing and that really is the meat of this blog, isn’t it?

After my half day of work on Friday, I headed to Chula Vista to hang out with the kids at my mom’s daycare. I know it sounds weird, but hanging out with 3 and 4 year olds is kinda therapeutic for me, so it was cool. Did you know that gas in Chula Vista is significantly cheaper than everywhere else? I paid $2.25 a gallon while the Arco is Kensington is still sitting at $2.59. Ridiculous.

Anyhow, Friday night started out as a bust. Andrea and I headed up to the Che Café to see Old Man Hands and Kite Flying Society. We arrived a little before 9 and Gabriel told up he was playing at 9:30 (despite his e-mail that they would start promptly at 9). We opted to stick around instead of going to Porter’s for a drink. 9:30 rolls around and OMH didn’t start. Instead it was a guy on guitar and the drummer for OMH calling themselves Swambujo or something. He played crappy protest songs (Fallujah, it’s a bloodbath, we’re only there for oil, etc.) and Andrea and I grew irritated really fast. After 6 or 7 of his shit songs we just decided to bail because we didn’t wanna miss Republic of Letters at the Ken Club. We had also found out that The Vision of a Dying World would be playing before KFS, and a whole night at the Ché was not in the cards for us.

Back in Kensington, we had a beer at my house then walked to the bar. We saw a couple songs from Silver Sunshine. The singer looks like Alex, the singer of Roman Spring. They played a style of classic rock with soaring guitar solos and long jams between vocals. I didn’t really see enough to make a judgment either way but I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to see them again as I like my rock with a little less cock.

Republic of Letters played a really short set because apparently Chris’ voice was thrashed. If it was, I didn’t notice. They’ve been recording a lot so and they're expected to drop the EP in March. I’ll stick with my assessment that Republic of Letters sounds a lot like early U2 with a dash of Blacksmith Union, who were one of my favorite local bands back in the day. Some people love them, some don’t. I side with the band and think they are really talented and every time I hear Saving Grace I can't get it out of my head. You can hear it, too, on the their Myspace page.

I didn’t really get a chance to see A Scribe Amidst the Lions, but I did capture some pics, so I’ll post those tomorrow with all the rest of the shots I’ve taken this weekend.

A friend of mine crashed at my house and we were up till 4 or so, so when Saturday rolled around I slept way in. I missed the war protest but did arrive to see Rob Crow at M-Theory for the instore performance. He had a bassist, guitarist and keyboardist/computer operator with him. I haven’t heard but one track from his solo CD, but the songs aren’t a major deviation from Pinback songs. A lot of the songs were short and rolled right into another leaving the crowd confused about when to clap. Rob said they’d only practiced the material 4 times, so they had to keep reminding each other how the songs started which was kinda cute. There were a lot of people with kids there, which was cool to see. Later, we dubbed them “Indie Breeders” in jest.

Troy Johnson was there, and I finally met Ryan Orion, so after the set of about 12 songs (some guy snagged the set list as I was heading for it), we decided to get lunch at El Zarape. Adam Gimbel had been at the in-store and invited us to the Rookie Card acoustic set at the Hole later that night. After lunch we decided to grab a drink (or three) over at Lancer’s and talked music, blogs, etc. Sitting between Troy and Ryan, I started feeling like a music numbnut and feeling like I really have no business blogging about music. The two of them know a whole lot of shit about a whole lot of shit. Still, it was fun and after a few rounds we decided it was time to catch Rookie Card.

Apparently The Hole was/is a gay bar, but it is a really cool spot that would be a fun spot for shows. There’s an outdoor patio and a stage, and their beer is really cheap. Rookie Card was playing to warm the crowd for a play. Adam is not only a great songwriter, but he has the best stories and between song banter. Theatre people are so enthusiastic, too, and had no qualms about going right into a clap along during the first song. Make sure you check out the Music Trivia Night that Adam is hosting at the San Diego Sports Club next Friday.

When Adam & Dylan finished, we decided to skip the play. Ryan had to get his gear for his gig at the Zombie, and Troy and I were headed to the Casbah. I raced home, let my dog out, took a shower and got ready and was back out in about a half hour. No three hours to get ready for this lady…

I picked up Troy and we arrived at the Casbah with time to spare before Vinyl radio started. The bar was pretty empty but by the time VR took the stage, a good amount of people showed up. Because their new drummer hasn’t had the chance to rehearse much, Morgan Young played drums for them. We all know I love Vinyl Radio and as far as I’m concerned, they’re better every time I see them.

Ari Shine played in the Atari Lounge but I missed him as I ran around the bar chatting with friends and whatnot. I will point out that he was selling American Apparel shirts with his 6 song ep for the bargain price of $10 for both. Bands, take note. Cheap merch sells! Andrea and Kara both bought from him. Unforch those babydoll tees won’t cover my ginormous chest or I might’ve made the purchase, too.

When the Powerchords started I looked at the stage and was confused, because I didn’t recognize the band onstage. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the ‘Chords, but the singer has chopped off his long locks and man, what a difference a haircut can make. Mike of Jezebel and I were joking that you shouldn’t wear a t-shirt of the band you are emulating, but then I thought that the drummer wearing the Buzzcocks t-shirt is a smart move because it’s kinda giving credit where credit is due.

I said my goodbyes to everyone at the Casbah and headed out to the Zombie Lounge and arrived while Orion Frequency was setting up. I have missed the opportunity to see them in the past. I finally met Riyadh, the manager of bill, and Dave who is in bill. Riyadh and Ryan are roommates so it all came together why Orion Frequency and bill have played together in the past when their music is so vastly different. I tried buying earplugs at the Casbah because Ryan warned me that they are loud, but the machine was empty, so I was hoping my ears wouldn’t be destroyed. Ryan hooked me up with some rad earplugs, so I was stoked that I wouldn’t have to listen from the bar as is sometimes the case at the Zombie.

I can’t even begin to say how impressed I was with their set. They’re a three piece and Rip and Ryan alternate on vocals. They play rock with a dash of punk and they were fun to watch because they were having so much fun onstage. The guys from Two Word Name were there as was Catdirt. The mic seemed to jump away from Ryan at times, but other than that there were no technical glitches, and while it’s true they are loud, it wasn’t overwhelming and the vocals were clear and audible. I’m only against loud when vocals are drowned out, like when the Sess play and it’s a full on aural assault.

After the set a bunch of people headed over to the drummers house where we had a beer and laughed as he passed out in front of his tv and was chided for playing Coldplay from his iPod. Rhiannon, his girlfriend, got him into bed and Rip and I left to my house for some 4 am beers and talking. Sorry, I know you wanna hear about makeout sessions but there was none. He grew up in Chicago and is full of great stories, but as 6 am rolled around it was finally time to call it a night. Finally.

For those counting, that was 1 record store, 4 shows, 4 bars, and 5 bands in one day. Fucking rock n roll. Pictures will come soon.

Things To Do: January 26- January 28 2007

Friday, January 26, 2007:

• Avail, The Draft, Hostile Combover @ Casbah
• Idyllists, Love Like Fire @ Beauty Bar
• Republic of Letters, A Scribe Amidst the Lions, Siver Sunshine, Rockit Ent @ Ken Club
• Old Man Hands, Kite Flying Society, Vision of a Dying World @ Ché Café
• Cash'd Out, High Rolling Loners, Married By Elvis @ Cane's
• Brian Wilson @ 4th & B. Pet Sounds 40th Anniversary tour.
• Diablo Dimes CD Release Party @ Whistle Stop
• Leather Nun, Dirty Legs, Author and Punisher @ Scolari's
• Slayer, Uneearth @ Soma
• Super Diamond, The Cured @ Belly Up
• Goodbye Blue Monday, lowcloudcover, Daysleeper, Misc. Ailments @ San Diego Sports Club
• Johnny Different, Zombie Surf Camp, Firethorn, and Drop Joy @ O'Connell's

Saturday, January 27 2007

• Free! Rob Crow @ M-Theory, 3pm
• Bloody Hollies CD Release Party with Powerchords, Vinyl Radio, Ari Shine in Atari Lounge @ The Casbah, $7
• Sirhan Sirhan, The LA Gentlemen Callers @ The Alibi
• Mike Watt, MCRAD, Smiles Project, Leiana, Front Side @ Winston's
• Orion Frequency (12:00), The Revents, CHAZ @ Zombie Lounge
• Fono, Swandive @ Beauty Bar (ASR party)
• Rookie Card (acoustic) @ The Hole
• Fashion Whore with performance by Uphonic @ San Diego Sports Club
• Pennywise, Circle Jerks, Ignite @ House of Blues
• Earthless, Genghis Khan, Orange Sunshine @ Ken Club
• Lady Dottie and the Diamonds @ House of Blues Sidestage (Free)
• Royal Campaign and The Cash Kings @ Lestat's
• Afroman & Higher Minds @ 710 Beach Club
• Gregory Page (with band) @ Chris Richards Living Room in Rancho Santa Fe 7pm, $12, BYOB and potluck, call 760.331.8373 for reservation and info. This is a private residence so be cool.
• Longstay, Luke Kinney, Ransact, Tarah Gray & Candle @ Epicentre

Sunday, January 28, 2007:

• Free! The Local 94/9/Tim Pyles Presents Action Andy and his HonkyTonkers, Jezebel, Lanterns, Trentalange @ Casbah. Free Food, doors open at 7.
• Gypsy Music! Fishtank Ensemble @ Dizzy's 7pm
• 30FootFall, Pussywhipped, The Dirty Legs, Lands on Fire, Dust Jacket @ Zombie Lounge
• Pennywise, Circle Jerks, Ignite @ House Of Blues

Friday Newsy Bits: Grammy's, Beckham, Weekend stuff

Guess what I won't be watching on Sunday, February 11th: The Grammy's have announced their performers. Scheduled to perform are Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, the Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, John Legend, Ludacris, John Mayer, he Red Hot Chili Peppers, Corrine Bailey Rae, Justin Timberlake and Carrie Underwood.

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Welcome to America, Becks, now here's your reality show. Rumor has it (and People reports) that Fox has already approached David Beckham and Posh to do a reality series. Sounds terrible but I would totally watch.

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Sorry for my lack of recaps this week, but this weekend will be dubbed the weekend I had to be two places at once.

Tonight I'll be at the Ché for Old Man Hands and part of the Kite Flying Society set, then racing back to the Ken Club to try to catch Republic of Letters and A Scribe Amidst the Lions.

Saturday I'll be protesting the war (briefly) and then maybe racing up to M-Theory to catch Rob Crow. Later that night calls for Vinyl Radio and the Powerchords at the Casbah then racing up to the Zombie Lounge to finally see my boy Ryan Orion and Orion Frequency.

Sunday doesn't ease up as I try to catch some gypsy tunes at Dizzy's before heading over to the Casbah for the free show with Action Andy, Jezebel, et al. Luckily that is an early show and I should be home at a reasonable hour to rest up for another case of the Mondays.

no excuses to stay home, yet again.

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Lastly, if you didn't see my MySpace bulletin, I have submitted myself into a makeover competition:

San Diego CityBeat is holding it's first annual Makeover Competition. I have submitted myself and won't be offended if you agree and submit me, too. My boss will be especially happy because as she always says, I should "dress for the job I want, not the job I have."

Email caitlinr@sdcitybeat.com and tell her you agree that Rosemary B. needs a makeover.

Events: Political Protest

I try to keep this site focused on the music, but I'm not absent a political bent, and since I've taken my other blog offline (Sex. Politics. Rock n Roll.), so I just thought I would post that there is a protest planned Saturday in Downtown:


End the War on Iraq! Bring the Troops Home Now!
Demonstration at Horton Plaza 4th and Broadway, Downtown San Diego

Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 2pm

The US occupation of Iraq is the greatest source of violence in Iraq today. Only
the immediate and complete withdrawal of US and other occupation troops will
clear the path for Iraqis to determine their own future and relieve the
suffering of the Iraqi people. We need to bring our sons and daughters home now.
Join with Pentagon Papers' Daniel Ellsberg (www.ellsberg.net), the San Diego
Coalition for Peace and Justice, and other endorsers, at Horton Plaza (4th and
Broadway, downtown San Diego) at 2pm on Saturday, January 27th in coordination
with demonstrations in Washington DC, San Francisco, and elsewhere in the US.
Bring your signs, flags, and banners. Make and distribute your own leaflets and
flyers. Bring your friends, your co-workers, and your fellow students. Circulate
this call as widely as possible.

Endorsed by: San Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice, International Socialist
Organization, Green Party of San Diego, Activist San Diego

Thrasher ASR Party @ The Ken Club

Last night, Thrasher had an ASR party at the Ken Club. In high school my boyfriend was sponsored by a skate company, which, back then, seemed like a huge deal. Last night, the skaters and their groupies made it obvious that it still is a big deal.

I got to the Ken Club at 9:30 and it was packed. Both sides. On a Wednesday night. Thrasher was premiering their new skate video. I snapped a couple pictures of the crowd watching the film on a large projection screen in the band room until Brett told me that it was going to show again, so I found a perch in the bar and waited for the second viewing. I felt like I was in a flashback timewarp...all my guy friends in high school were skaters and skaters all pretty much dress exactly the same, both then and now. Only I realized that I was a "used-to-be" and I suddenly felt really old. I caught myself, instead of just saying "excuse me" as I was passing through the bar, I was saying "excuse me, Dude," like these were my bros or somthing. I am so lame.

Anyway, the video was put into the DVD player and it is really cool. It was their King Of The Road 2006 video. Four teams compete on a national road trip/scavenger hunt and earn points. The winning team wins $20k and invaluable street cred. The teams are made to do lots of skate related things, like railslides in the rain, biggest gap ollies, jumping particular landmarks in the cities toured, etc., but they are also made to do other things...beer funnels, taking pictures of certain things, and the funniest, making out with women over 40. Team Zero won the competition for the third year in a row and the video of this dude making out with nine older ladies is hilarious. Especially because a couple of them look over 60.

The crowd thinned out as the word spread that Chad Muska was spinning at the Beauty Bar and my Ken Club was back to normal for a Wednesday night.

I was gonna post the pictures but I'm sure you all know what a crowded bar full of looks like...

Debaser @ The Whistle Stop, Monday, January 29

I have been blogging since April 25, 2003 (on a blog that is offline now) and in that time I had developed a small group of "blog friends"; people whose blogs I'd read regularly that I've never met in real life. Some of them quit blogging but there are a couple that I still read. One of those is by Sarah, who in the time I've "known" her, has moved from San Francisco to Cape Cod (where she was from) to New York and now back to Boston.

In the past, she has posted about an event called Cringe that happens in New York, where adults read from their adolescent journals and diaries (before blogs existed). I loved the idea and even proposed to my friend Jason that he somehow incorporate it into his "Perfectly Charming Evenings" that he promoted on Sundays at the San Diego Sports Club. He didn't bite, but I'm glad someone did. By the way, I think Cringe started the idea, but I could be wrong, it just happens to be the first place I'd ever heard of it.

The Whistle Stop presents Debaser, San Diego's equivalent of Cringe. That old blog I was talking about probably has plenty of Debaser material, which is pretty sad since I wrote it as an adult, but that only means the old journals are even better. So get out and find your journals, old letters, etc. and take yourself right back the 12 year old insecure geek we all were.

If I can track the link, there was one Cringe participant who had audio files of his very passionate letter to Aaron Spelling trying to convince him that the only way for 90210 to survive would be to have Brandon Walsh die. (Because then all the characters would have to come together without him, duh!)

Thursday Newsy Bits: Moustache Month, Rob Crow, TV stuff, 94/9 Insiders

Bet you didn't know it was Moustache Month: There's a group of guys (and the occasional hairy lipped female) who participate/created Moustache Month...You know them if you see them. It's the dudes from Vena Cava, Dan Padilla, The BatCave, et al. and every year they compete to see who can grow the most awesome 'stache. Anyway, the finals are this Friday at the Tower Bar. There's a ton of fun stuff this weekend, but if your sights are set on PBR tall boys, head over and visit Mick at the Tower and have some circa 1974 fun.

Here's their message:

the vegas semi-finals have been tallied and now its time for the big enchilada! bring your mustache to TOWER BAR friday the 26 and see if the 'juggernaut" can keep his title. special guest appearances by HAIRLIP (all girl review), MICROPHONE MIKE, UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TO CANDYLAND (f.y.p./toys that kill). and the best band in san diego right now, ROLLIE FINGERS!

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Everyone loves Rob Crow. Well, not everyone. He and his new album are front page at Insound (next to The Shins), he's number #38 on their chart right now, and you can see him FREE! at M-Theory on Saturday @ 3pm.
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FM 94/9 has released the details of their Insider DJ program. In a nutshell, during the day they will call a name every hour. If you call back within 30 minutes, you get $100 and you choose three songs for them to play. The next hour, they will call another name, but if that person doesn't call, back in, the last person who did call would get another $100 and three more songs, meaning you could score some cash because my guess is there few people who are that glued to the radio all day. The program starts in Feb.
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Tonight's Visual Underground at the Whistle Stop will feature "Before the Music Dies".

According to M-Theory: BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES tells the story of American music at this precarious moment. Filmmakers Andrew Shapter and Joel Rasmussen traveled the country, hoping to understand why mainstream music seems so packaged and repetitive, and whether corporations really had the power to silence musical innovation. The answers they found on this journey–ultimately, the promise that the future holds–are what makes BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES both riveting and exhilarating.

The film will be followed by a performance by Transfer
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In TV news...Hey Greg, They're just not into you. Greg Behrendt, author of "He's just not that into you" and host of The Greg Behrendt Show, got the axe from Sony. I can't even believe I bought that trash book. Also cancelled, Moustache at Large...I mean, Geraldo at Large. Such a shame. (mwahaha)
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In other TV news, is the Grey's Anatomy/Isaiah Washington thing just out of control or what?

“With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling," Washington said in a prepared statement. “I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again. I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally.”

Really? Counseling? I'm usually way on the left side of the spectrum when it comes to defending people but now hasn't GLAAD gone too far? People say mean things and hurt each others feelings all the time. Grown-ups say they're sorry and move on. All of this bigotry and hate and anger is around and Mel Gibson, Michael Richards, Isaiah Washington are all really stupid because they got caught. People say bad shit all the time...sometimes with bad intentions, sometimes because the word has lost its meaning and is just slang. I got called out because I was using the word "retard" in the context of saying "I'm so freakin retarded". Because sometimes I am. Get over it.

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It's awards season. Make sure you head over and vote for the Plug Awards at plugawards.com and vote for your favorite indie bands, blogs, labels, and more. Sorry to say San Diego isn't represented but it's fun to vote anyway. Unlike the Grammy's when you see the nominee list and say WTF???

Things To Do: January 25

Thursday, January 25, 2007:

• Moving Units, The Oohlas, Fkenal @ Epicentre (doors at 6:30)
• Moving Units After Party @ Beauty Bar
• CORRECTION! Visual Underground (not Visual Graffiti) w/ Transfer @ Whistle Stop
• Burning Of Rome, Denise Rowe, Thieves and Liars, Friends of Dennis Wilson @ Static Lounge
• The Dirty Angels, The Embalmers, The Creepy Creeps, Thee Corsairs, The Drowning Men @ Squid Joe's (Carlsbad)
• Carbon Leaf, Toby Lightman@ Belly Up
• Black Lips, Husbands, Her Grace The Dutchess, The Atoms @ The Casbah
• Greg Vaughn (of Blasphemous Guitars), The Lost Disciples, Ronny North @ San Diego Sports Club
• Dos Tres @ Modus, featuring Style of Eye (dj from Sweden)
• Pearl, Monovox, Castillo, Zona Zero, MTO, Ursula @ The Brass Rail (Rock en Español)
• Truckee Brothers @ The Tower Bar

This Just In: Thrasher ASR Party & Movie Tonight at the Ken Club/ San Diego CityBeat Blog

I couldn't decide what I wanted to do tonight and the KLSD party was whack (sorry, KLSD, I still love you even though you're owned by the corporate devils at Clearchannel) and then I just saw this from the Ken Club:

The guys at Thrasher skateboard magazine are showing the premier of a new
movie tonight . dj's and a movie.

Skate or die, dude...I'm so there.

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Also in "this just in" news...CityBeat has finally jumped onboard and started a blog. Read for yourself here.

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My sitemeter says I have not had a single hit on my blog today, which I know for a fact is not true, but if you come by today, please leave a comment so I know you're reading. I won't publish if you don't want me to. Just say hi...

Things To Do: January 24

Wednesday, January 24, 2007 (Dialed In does Jury Duty):

• Hot Buttered Rum, 7th Day Buskers @ Belly Up
• A Beautiful Noise, Vale @ San Diego Sports Club for Pussy Galore
• DJ Kid Capri @ Montage
• The Spazmatics @ 4th & B (free with student ID)
• Sleeping People, Hostile Combover, History of Pre-Mature Burial and Lilith Velkor @ Ché Café, $5, 8PM
• Heartless Bastards, Secret Apollo + guests @ Casbah
• FREE! KLSD Progressive Talk Radio, AM 1360 is having a free party at the W hotel with complimentary food and giveaways. 6 to 8 pm. Liberal is not a dirty word!
• FREE! KSDS Jazz 88 Listener Party- Free food, beverages @ Park Manor Suites, 525 Spruce St., 5-8pm, performance by Sue Palmer Trio
• Lara Jane's "Combo Platter" @ Rubber Rose $12 preshow reception/dinner from Baja Betty's, $5 show only @ 7:30. Performances. Benefits Indie Music Fest.
• Thrasher/Team Zero Movie Release/Pre-ASR party @ Ken Club

Wednesday Newsy Bits: CatDirtSez, SD Reader, Vinyl Radio, 91X hires new PD, Band of Horses local connection

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Grab this week's Reader. Page 98 features Scott Pactor of CatDirtSez talking about music, the local scene, radio, and music in general and give a shout out to me, ChickRawker, and BlogSanDiego as the best local music blogs. And you'll never believe it, but Fifty on Their Heels isn't even mentioned once.
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CityBeat and the Reader listings missed it, and only the Casbah in the Reader shows it, but Vinyl Radio is definitely playing on Saturday for the Bloody Hollies CD Release show, along with The PowerChords and Ari Shine.

In other Vinyl Radio news, the search for a drummer has ended as they have recruited Nelson Cooper on the kit. The band is stoked and feels like he's a solid match.
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CityBeat's "local only" has the follow up to the car crashing into the Zombie Lounge last Thursday.
Here's the blurb:

Head Zombie dodges death

“We were doing a lot of the work on the place—moving out a bunch of walls,
putting in a new floor. Me and the guy who was painting went out to lunch, and
that’s when it happened,” said “Denver” Joe Hicks, owner of the Zombie Lounge in City Heights, about the Infinity luxury car that slammed through the wall on
Jan. 19. “We were painting right where she came through. One of us would’ve been nailed. There’s another one of my lives gone, dammit. I’m runnin’ out.”

The luxury-car missile crisis happened at about 4 p.m. “We went to Lowe’s, boarded
it up, and we were open that night,” Hicks said, noting that the crash also
inspired the landlord to give the go-ahead on major renovations to the Zombie
Lounge. “So it may be a blessing in disguise.”

Nobody was hurt. I've seen two near misses directly across the street from The Ken, then there was the Jewel Box, and now the Zombie. Watch out Casbah, you're on a dangerous corner...
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Local photographer Christopher Wilson will once again shooting the art for an upcoming Band Of Horses release.

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91X has hired a new PD. He will start next Monday. You can read about it on Chickrawker's site here.
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Battle of the Bands: Are they worth it??
Last week CatDirt had a lot to say about Battle of the Bands competitions, and while I agree, I still chose to publish the listings for the Emergenza festival at Dreamstreet because two bands I support played: Two Word Name and Hostile Combover. Two Word Name won their night and will continue on at the next round at Brick By Brick. I asked Hostile Combover how they did and this was the response:

it was lame. a total pyramid scam. boo-hoo.

xxoo,
ho-co

Let their lesson be your lesson and don't let your local band get sucked into these competitions.

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I had jury duty all day so while I catch up with the news, I thought I would mention that I've volunteered myself to be a field rep/street teamer for Filter Magazine...so keep an eye out for me distributing flyers and schwag all for free mags, music, and tickets. And expect to see me using this little blog here for promotional purposes as well. I don't mind whoring myself out for the music, Man.

Piers Faccini & The Colour: Set-lists

Sorry, these are a little late but I thought I'd post them anyway.

This one is from the Colour, written on the back of a 94/9 drawing registration slip:


This one is Piers Faccini's. This dude standing next to me in the front saw that I wanted it and grabbed it for me after Pier's set down his guitar and said "Thank you" to the crowd, only to come back with another guitar for one more song. He had to check a set list on the side of the stage. Cringe. I felt like an asshole.

ASR&Agenda: Action Sports Retailers Trade Shows

I used to LOVE going to ASR. Back in the day, you could make up a business card and you were in. Then they started requiring a business license and card, and it got a little tougher, but you could maneuver. I haven't even tried to get in since high school, but man, those were the days. I had a friend who worked in the Gaslamp when all the businesses were thrift stores and produce distributors and he would get me a resident/employee wristband for Street Scene even though I was under 21, my other friends would take over the hostel that was on the corner of 6th and Island?, and I would hop back and forth between Street Scene, and the fall ASR. The winter one wasn't as cool but still fun and packed with goodness. I loved the celebrity spotting, too...Michael Stipe, Ice T, Tupac.

Anyway, ASR is back this week and everyone knows that means lots of parties and ASR specific events. I'd love to let you know about all of them, but I'm so far out of the loop it's ridiculous. Still I'll list what I can...

Wednesday Night: ASR Pre-party with DJ Sets by Chad Muska @ Beauty Bar $5 (with hosted drinks with Seagrams Vodka or Fernet Branca Wine)

Friday Night:

• AGENDA x THE SEVENTH LETTER x LIVE MECHANICS X SCIFEN
  presents DILATED PEOPLES and STONES THROW RECORDS @ House of Blues (Free with Agenda Wristband)
• The Vice Party: Performances by Big Business and Earthless, djs Ikah Love, Justin Pearson, Barry Weaver @ 630 10th Avenue (at Market). 9pm. RSVP only to sandiego@viceland.com
  
  Here are the Tradeshow sites:
  ASR
  Agenda
  
  If I hear about more parties, I'll be sure to post them. SRH used to throw some big parties, but maybe that was the Fall show. I dunno, but I'll keep an eye out...

Things To Do: January 23

Tuesday, January 23, 2007:

• The Blackout Party @ House of Blues Sidestage
• Rob Crow @ Lou's Records, 6pm, Free
• Autumn Leaves, Ovals of Cassini, Trophy Wife @ Casbah
• The Finches, Bushes, Jehova's Fitness, Red Pony Clock, Rafter @ Ché Café
• Buddy Akai @ Typhoon Saloon (Battle of the Bands Competition. Winner gets to play at the Gaslamp Mardi Gras on Feb 20)
• Competitive Eating @ Tower Bar
• Ken Club Karaoke
• Note: Michael Franti & Spearhead are playing at 4th & B in Feb, contrary to what was published in CityBeat.

Cold War Kids, Piers Faccini, The Colour

I had an awesome night last night. I started my evening by filing my taxes which made about 700 pounds come off my shoulders. I heated up some leftovers and headed up to Solana Beach.

My first stop was Surf n Saddle. I'm not a fan of North County (I was raised south of the 54, before the 54 existed), but I LOVE Surf N Saddle. Crystal is the bartender there and she hooks up a fat pour, is queen of mojitos, and is just genuinely cool (like saying she's met me a "million" times when I've only been there thrice). I got myself well lubed and headed to the Belly Up in time to catch the last song of The Colour, a bluesy rock band from LA. I know they will be here again, so I wasn't crushed about missing them. I believe Gabe Vega had them play a night at the Beauty Bar before, so I'll catch them on the next go-round. I got their setlist but left it at home, so here are some pics for now:










The second act was Piers Faccini. When Andrea and I discussed the show and meeting up, she said she didn't care about the openers but that I would like Piers Faccini. In listening to his MySpace songs, I was under the impression that he would rock about as much as Jose Gonzalez, but I was mistaken. Yeah, he's probably more of a solo performer than anything, but his closing Hallelujah's hit an almost yodel and I thought his voice was amazing. It helps that he was hot. That always helps. Some awesome guy up front with me grabbed me Piers' setlist, too, but that's at home with the one from the Colour, so more pics for you...

Finally it was time for Cold War Kids. As I've mentioned, this was my fourth time seeing them, so I didn't feel the need to elbow anyone in the face to get to the front.

I think I enjoy them on a stage lower to the ground because they rock so hard you feel like you're a part of them at times, joining in the percussive fun, but we'll have to save that for the February show at the Casbah...I really am torn about going to CWK instead of Gomez, but CWK just does it for me. I was actually listening to the CD yesterday and thinking that I wouldn't like it nearly as much had I not seen them live first, and also if I didn't have the 2 eps that essentially became Robbers & Cowards.






That is the end of my decent photography (thanks to Sara for letting me borrow the camera). Here are a couple reject-o-pics, when the vodka kicked in and those damn Cold War Kids wouldn't stand still for one second.






Believe me, those are the best of the worst. CWK didn't have a set list or I would've been all over it.

Just double checking, but I've mentioned I'm a dork, right? OK, then, I may proceed. After the show, people were trying to snag the silkscreened posters that the Cold War Kids were selling for $15. There was a dude at the merch table, but he wasn't paying attention and was only selling the shit from the Colour or something. So being the dork/champ/socially just person that I am, I jumped behind the merch table and started selling the posters. I think I sold 4 or 5 of them. The dude took all the cash and it turned out it was the CWK drummer, so I'm not sure why he wasn't paying more attention, but he hooked me up with a poster and The Colour's CD for my efforts. Seriously people, if you need merch sold, I am your girl. Ask Angelina from Persephone's Bees, whose merch I sold when I was supposed to be registering voters...And Cold War Kids...make some t-shirts! Holy shit. You are missing out on some SERIOUS cash flow. At least 30 people asked for shirts last night within a matter of 10 minutes. C'mon people, get it together!

Awesome show- not bad for a Monday, I must say...

Tuesday Newsy Bits

Alright, kids, the day has finally come...Wincing The Night Away is finally (officially) released. I also filed my taxes and woo-hoo, hopefully am a small step closer to a new computer so I can go blog-psycho and drive everyone crazy with manic posting from the comfort of my king bed.

Let's start with newsy stuff...

*****
New Releases Today:
The Shins- Wincing The Night Away
Rob Crow- Living Well (doing an in-store at Lou's today at 6pm)
Deerhoof- Found Opportunity
The Good, The Bad and The Queen -self titled
Vietnam- VietNam

*****
In MySpace News:

Social-networking site MySpace has filed a lawsuit against an alleged major spammer who has been targeted by Microsoft and others in the past.

According to MySpace, Colorado resident Scott Richter sent out millions of "bulletins" to MySpace members, violating state and federal antispam laws, including the Can-Spam Act. Richter gained access to user accounts through several phishing schemes, MySpace claims, and churned out messages that advertised products such as shirts and ringtones.

The amount of monetary damages that MySpace is seeking has
not yet been disclosed, but Richter apparently is already in the red after
losing a high-profile legal row with Microsoft. In that 2003 wrangle, the
alleged spammer was ordered to pay $7 million after he refused to settle the
dispute for a significantly lower amount.

I hope they hang that bastard by the balls. I can get over the spam and faux bulletins, but when my less discerning little brothers don't know any better, they are in jeopardy and I don't like it one bit.

*****

Fact or Fiction?- I heard a cab crashed into Tobacco Rhoda's last night. That would make this the third bar in recent history...first the Jewel Box, then Zombie Lounge (thought I never confirmed that one), and now Tobacco Rhoda's. Hold your drinks a little tighter, people, because you never know...

*****

Oscar nominations were announced today and other than Little Miss Sunshine, I say BFD. You can see them all here.

*****

Tonight is the State Of The Union address. I'll save you the trouble of having to watch. My prediction of tonight's speech: "America is the greatest nation in the world, blah blah, the terrorists don't like us, blah blah, fight them there or we fight them here, blah blah, soldiers are not dying in vein, blah blah, fighting for our freedom and the liberation of the Iraqi people, blah blah, naysayers want you to believe we can't win, blah blah, but America is strong and we will endure, blah blah." Or something like that. This is the one night I will say thank god for American Idol. And dinner with my brother (who happens to be in the military).

*****

Google is testing music videos through their AdSense network and I say, how do I get a piece of that action???

*****

Kite Flying Society is selling merch. Go buy some so they can tour and record, would ya?

Wow, our very first sale!

Kite Flying
Society's debut album Where is the
Glow? and our Mens and Womens
T-Shirts are now on sale on our
website: KiteFlyingSociety.com/merch.

For a limited time only, CDs are $10 and shirts are $12 (plus shipping).
100% of the proceeds will go to the United Nations Fund for KFS' Second
Album.

Act now!

*****

Recap of Cold War Kids coming up!

Things To Do: January 22

I'm plotting out the week early so all those people invading our town for ASR can plan their week/weekend...Personally I'm torn between the Ken Club and The Ché for Friday night, and Saturday between the Casbah, The Alibi, and the Beauty Bar.

Monday, January 22, 2007:

• Cold War Kids, Piers Faccini, The Colour @ Belly Up (Sold Out)
• Tim Pyles Anti-Monday League @ Casbah, Featuring Bumbklaat, The Long And Short Of It, Batwings, Trophy Wife $5
• Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Tower Bar
• The Shins Listening Party @ Whistle Stop and Buy the album at Midnight @ M-Theory
• "Bring Your Own" @ Kadan (Bring your own music, boardgames, food, friends)
• Shea Stratton @ Dublin Square
• Note: Cheap Trick is playing at 4th & B in Feb, contrary to what was published in CityBeat.

Coachella: Giving In

Bands in Italics are the ones I would really want to see.
Bands in bold are ones that I've seen before.

!!!
Air
Amos Lee
Amy Winehouse
Anathallo
Andrew Bird
Arcade Fire (The)
Arctic Monkeys
Avett Brothers
Benny Benassy
Bjork
Black Keys
Blonde Redhead
Bojones
Brazilian Girls
Brother Ali
Busdriver
Circa Survive
Coco Rosie
Comedians of Comedy
Cornelius
Coup (The)
Cribs (The)
Crowded House
CSS
Damien Rice
Decemberists
Digitalism
DJ Heather
DJ Shadow
Erol Alkan
Evil Nine
Explosions in the Sky
Fair to Midland
Faithless
Feeling (The)
Felix Da Housecat
Fountains of Wayne
Frames (The)
Fratellis
Ghostface Killah
Gillian Welch
Girl Talk
Gogol Bordello
Gotan Project
Grizzly Bear
Happy Mondays
Hot Chip
The Good, The Bad and The Queen
Jacks Mannequin
Jarvis Cocker
Jose Gonzales
Julieta Venegas
Junior Boys
Justice
Kaiser Chiefs
Kings of Leon
Klaxons
Kokono No. 1
LCD Soundsystem
Lily Allen
Lupe Fiasco
Manu Chao
Mika
Mike Relm
MSTRKRFT
New Pornographers
Nickel Creek
Nightwatchman
Noisettes
Of Montreal
Ozomatli
Paul Van Dyk
Peaches
Peeping Tom
Peter, Bjorn & John
Pharaohe Monche
Placebo
Pop Levi
Rage Against The Machine
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Regina Spektor
Richie Hawtin
Rodrigo Y Gabriella
Roky Erickson and the Explosives
Roots
Rufus Wainwright
Satellite Party
Silversun Pickups
Sonic Youth
Soulwax
Spank Rock
Sparklehorse
Stephen Marley feat Jr. Gong
Tapes 'n Tapes
The Fields
The Kooks
The Rapture
Tiesto
Tilly and the Wall
Tokyo Police Club
Travis
VNV Nation
We Are Scientists
Willie Nelson (Willie threw me his bandanna last time I saw him at Coors)
Yeva

Cold War Kids

The battle continues. This time, San Diego Serenade chimes in. I was at the Two Gallants show in which CWK made everyone's jaw drop. I was at their subsequent shows at The Casbah and the HOB sidestage. I will be at the show tonight, and I will be at the Casbah show next month. Whether in favor or not, I fucking love their 2 ep's and also the full length release. Period.

Coachella

Go get the lineup on 91x. com here, or spaced out on CatDirt.