Us vs. Them

I love Gabe Vega and we go way back to high school hardcore days, so this isn't intended to insult him, but there are two events this week, same idea (Bad Holiday Sweaters) and worlds apart in their motivation.



I know the picture is small, but let me just highlight the line that says "Bottle Special: $150 bottle of Kettle (sic) One"

The event is taking place Thursday evening at Excelsior Lounge in La Jolla, 9pm-2am.

Now look at this one, same night, at The Local, from 7pm to closing:



Note the $7 cover charge is a tax-deductible donation to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, with drink and food specials all night long. (But no $150 bottle service, sorry.)

Let your conscience decide which party is more in the spirit of the season.

If I could be in two places at once

The Vandals Winter Formal with Reeve Oliver and Longmont Potion Castle at the House Of Blues- Sunday, December 17th.

Today on the HoB site, tickets can be purchased in their 2 for Tu offer. If I didn't have free tickets to Devotchka at the Belly Up the same night, I would go, if for nothing else than to see Joe Escalante, host of the Last of the Famous International Morning Shows on Indie 103.1.

Tickets were $15. Save yourself some cash and get them now. And what could be better than wearing a tacky tux or prom dress to a Vandals show?

Open Mic TV-featuring Decca Tree

It was after a night of talking to Chris Karn and Jesse Nason of Deccatree that I was inspired to create this here music only blog because really, what was the point of writing a blog for 3 years if I'd cringe everytime I found out someone I knew was reading it?

Deccatree is playing at Lestat's on January 12th. Daye and I will be there again. Won't you come?

Open Mic TV-featuring Decca Tree

More Christmas Tunes

These Christmas tunes aren't by local artists but I like them, so here are the links:

Eliot Morris played a KPRI private listener concert a couple months back. Keep an eye out for him in '07. He has "The First Noël" available for streaming and "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful" available for free download.

The Boy Least Likely To have an original song called "Little Donkey" available for stream and it can be downloaded off their site for "99 pence".

I'm sure a ton of artists have stuff so I'll keep adding as I find them.

The Cloud Room

Did you see the Cloud Room when they played at the Beauty Bar last year? Or maybe you saw them open for Muse at Soma? Well, the singer's house burned down so if you're a trust fund kid or just have a couple bucks, maybe you can help him out...

A few more things about Hootenanny

My Sunday was spent blogging, watching the Chargers clinch the AFC West title and LT going down in the history books, and later grubbing on boiled Cajun Crawfish, red potatoes and corn on the cob, with a bit of lobster at Kevin's birthday party, all the while watching the Saints game and playing a couple rounds of ping pong. (I lost every game so maybe I need to start spending some time at Triple Crown.)

Since that is not particularly that exciting when it comes to reading material, I wanted to talk a little more about details that I missed in regard to the show on Saturday. I thought since I made such a bold statement about the Hootenanny being the best radio promoted show I've ever been to that I should mention that I have been to many station promoted festivals. I have been to variations of 93.3's "Your Show", to Star's Jingle Ball, to 91X's Sunfests and X-Fests and Acoustic X-mases over the years. I even had the opportunity to go with Goldfinger to some Christmas show in San Bernadino where I was onstage hanging out and taking pictures during the performances of The Eels, The Lemonheads, Save Ferris, Goldfinger and a bunch of other bands. To me, this beat all those.

The main reason I think this show was so successful was that it wasn't over ambitious. I would rather see a bill of 4 bands where they all get :30, :45, or :60 sets instead of bands playing one or two "hits" and then waiting 20 minutes for the next performers to be ready, as was my experience at Jingle Ball when only one artist on the bill was someone I cared to see. I also think the 4 band max kept the ticket prices reasonable. I would easily pay $8 to see each band individually, so $32.50 was really nothing to spend for a show like this.

Also, no offense to the kids, but it was nice to be allowed to be an adult and have a 21+ only area. This creates a safer environment for kids as they are separated from alcohol, and I don't have to be a bitch to some 15 year old who is trying to bum a cigarette.

The general admission seating was great because it made buying a ticket during the "Insiders only" pre-sale unnecessary (Screw you, ticketbastard!) and you could get a ticket at the box office for the actual cost of the ticket, not with upwards of $10 in added service charges. Being that you were free to roam, you could opt to sit through all the sets, or try and make your way closer to the stage for the musicians you really want to see and hang back for the ones you care less about. There is nothing worse than having shitty seats to a band you love and seeing hundreds of empty seats ahead of you because nobody else gives a shit about an opening band. Had I not had the awesome seats I had for Mike Doughty last week, I would've been irritated that 75% of the floor seats were open during his set.

I don't really need to mention the extra bonus was that I have friends who hooked me up with perks, not because it wasn't completely appreciated, but I just thought I should clarify that even if I'd known nobody at the show, I am still confident that I would have had a great time. The extra stuff just brought it to the next level.

So, to everyone at 94/9, good job. I truly hope the Hootenanny becomes a tradition.

The Gregorys do Christmas

In 1993, back when Lou Niles was the host of Louspeaker, 91X put out a Christmas CD. To this day, when Christmas comes around, I play the CD more than a few times. When Stereogum asked readers to name their favorite Christmas song of all time, mine is "Tomorrow is Found" by Gregory Page. I was more than pleased when, checking online, I see that Gregory has rerecorded a new version of the song as "A Very Sad Christmas" and it can be downloaded from his MySpace page here. Get it before he takes it down.

Also, Greg Laswell has recorded his own version of Little Drummer Boy that you can stream on his MySpace page here.

As I find more good Christmas, Hannukah, Kwaanza, or winter songs, I'll try to post the links.

UPDATE: Greg Laswell has made his song downloadable now, too. Grab it while you can. (And go see him play at Lestat's on Saturday)

Something I Forgot to Mention: Cold War Kids

The next FM 94.9 Presents show at the Belly Up, presumably in their "About The Music" series, is Cold War Kids on Monday, January 22. Tickets are only $6, so BUY. THEM. NOW.(available Friday at noon) Cat Empire, a group from Australia, is supposedly opening. Correction: Cat Empire is playing a separate date, on February 3.

While you're at it, pick up a ticket for Rhett Miller on January 14.

Here's a really awful picture of me with Rhett and Steve Poltz from late '02 or early '03.

Photo: The Little Ones

Here's a picture from The Little Ones show on Thursday night.

Photo credit: Andrea and her awesome cameraphone.



I'll post the Hootenanny pictures that Pyles took if he sends them to me.

Things To Do

Sunday:

• Menomena, 31 Knots, and Pink Mountaintops @ Casbah ($10)
• Jimmy Gnecco (of Ours) @ House of Blues -sidestage
• Chad Farran @ Lestat's
• Free Shit: Beauty Bar Holiday Party. All resident DJs will be present and the bar is hosted from 9:30-10:30 p.m. How many vodka tonics can I drink in one hour? I don't know but call me a cab!
• 91X Nightmare Before X-Mas @ iPayOne
• Peaches @ El Foro (Tijuana)
• Holiday Craft Fair @ The Whistle Stop 2:30 pm. Local Artists and Crafters.
• San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Fireworks @ 5:30, Parade follows.

Monday, December 11:

• Roxy Jones & Sarah Hanson @ Beauty Bar. This is the last Poprocks by Tim Pyles.
• +44 & The Matches @ Soma
• Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Tower Bar.

Tuesday, December 12:

• Secret Apollo, Merch, and The Mints @ Scolari's
• The Strays & The Slackers @ Casbah
• Me First and the Gimme Gimmes @ House of Blues.
• Karaoke Night @ The Ken Club

Recap 3: 94/9 Holiday Hootenanny

I don't even know where to start with this show. I was asked by Owen what I was gonna say and I told him it was the single best radio station hosted show I've ever been to. When asked to elaborate I did, and so I will here for you now, too.

I picked Andrea up by 5 and we were on our way to the show. I grabbed a great spot but as we walked to the venue saw a huge line as the doors weren't opened just yet. We instead grabbed our 21+ wristbands and called Mike, the Facilities Manager who we'd met on Sunday. We met him by the box office and he let us enter the venue through the VIP badge entrance. Mike, you're the best!

We went through the venue into the beer garden area. UCSD is normally a dry campus for events so whatever strings were pulled to let this happen need to be pulled for future events. We quickly ran into Owen and Tim Pyles. Pyles had an extra VIP pass which he allowed us to use for some complimentary adult beverages. We chatted with Lyn Chickrawker for a while and then watched The Delta Spirit.

I have seen them before but let's just say I've always been a little less than sober, so this was my first time really taking them in. They have a great southern rock with a touch of gospel feel and it was clear why they are so tight with Cold War Kids. I really enjoyed their set, but some of their songs are a bit too Christian for me. I don't have a problem with a band being Christian, but I enjoy a bit more subtlety in lyrics. Like if you read the CWK lyrics, you have to understand the biblical undertones to even notice them. The Delta Spirit on the other hand are very much about "I can't wait, the Lord is coming" and that's just really not my thing. Still, the music is solid and a lot of people in the crowd were dancing and grooving to the tunes. I grabbed their set list so here's that(as it's written):

Tom G, People Come On,Street Walker, Around,I Am Waiting, French Q, Children Stay Away, Motivation, Time All You People

We stayed in the garden for some time. Pete Yorn was hanging out in the VIP area, so Pyles snapped a picture of us together. When I asked if I could snap a picture with him, he kinda looked at me like I was speaking Chinese and then he checked the pass around my neck. We snapped the shot and then he pointed to the "no smoking" sign behind us...I guess I annoyed him. Then he told me he wasn't really checking my pass but my Liar's Club sweatshirt...he has a friend in Chicago(or somewhere) who owns a bar by the same name. Getting the feeling he didn't wanna chat, I thanked him and bailed the tent. We talked a while with Beth from the Belly Up and her roommate John. Tim also introduced me to a couple other radio people including Garrett, the morning show host on 94/9. Tim is always really good about introducing people while it never occurs to other people to do so, so it is definitely appreciated. Andrea was getting well lubricated on the red wine, so I said my "see ya laters" and went in to catch Silversun Pickups. The show ran a little late...they were supposed to start at 6:30 but still hadn't hit the stage by 7. I maneuvered up toward the front side of the stage but decided to take a seat in the unmonitored VIP seating area. I sat in the second row until I smelled something. Turns out the guy two seats down barfed and bailed. Ew. I went back down to the floor to watch the show.

This is now my third time seeing SSPU. I never thought I would like a band better in an arena than in a small venue but that's exactly how I felt about their set. They only played for a half hour but it was great and while the floor wasn't exactly packed yet, a lot of people were into them. What is kinda funny to me is that "Little Lover's So Polite" is the single in LA, while 94/9 has been spinning "Lazy Eye", so obviosuly this crowd went crazy for Lazy Eye. (See Chickrawker's blog for set list)

As soon as they finished I made a bee line to the beer garden and managed to not be without beverage the entire time. A light drizzle started to come down and after 15 or 20 minutes in the garden, a heavy rain poured down. People get all crazy when it rains, why I will never understand. I mean, I guess I'm not exactly the sandals and dress wearing type, so my clothes can pretty much withstand the elements. I was trying to find where our pass had gone, but to no avail, so I headed into the venue to catch Pete Yorn back up in the front, this time with Andrea, Dustin, Andrew and Matt. Pete Yorn's cousin Westerns tours with him, sells merch, shoots videos and pictures, and always posts the set list on MySpace.

Here is his set list: life on a chain, for us, when you see the light, undercover, black, how do you go on, closet, georgie boy, for nancy

Again when the band finished, we headed to the Garden. Is it clear that I loved the Garden?On our way there, Dustin and I bumped into Nikki from SSPU and talked to her a couple minutes and complimented their set. In the garden, the station had equipment set up to play music and broadcast the concert on multiple televisions, but apparently the rain created technical issues. They had turned on the field lights, probably so people could see the wet grass beneath their feet and avoid mud. A lot of people seemed to be really enjoying the beergarden. We witnessed a guy pee out in the open trying to act like nothing was happening. I bumped into Nick Montes and Hellman and Troy Johnson so it made me wonder if every other spot in San Diego was completely abandoned.

Eventually it was time for the Shins. We sat up in the seating area for their set and were kinda surprised that people were crowd surfing. Really? For the Shins? Weird. Anyway, it was a good set though the band commented that it was clear a lot of people already had their new album, not to be released until Jan 20. I am guilty myself but I feel like if I'm gonna buy the actual album anyway, what's the diff if I have a bootleg now and talk about how much I love it? They played a good mix from all their albums and if my neck wasn't killing me from bad sleep, I would've been even more into their set.

We went back outside but the garden was closing. We still hung around a while as people filtered into the venue for Modest Marr. We went back to our spot near the front but this over eager idiot seemed to not notice anyone around him and was bumping me. It was either move or punch the guy in the face, so Dustin, Andrea and I sat in the front row behind the soundboard. I have never seen Modest Mouse live but I was really impressed. They had two full drumsets on stage which made for a really rich heavy sound. Still, it was late, and while I'm not the kind of person who leaves a ballgame in the 7th inning to avoid traffic, it had begun to pour outside and my old beater doesn't have a defroster.

Dustin laid on top of my bike in the back of my car while Andrea slept in the front seat as I drove while wiping my windshield with a towel most of the ride. We went to the Beauty Bar, but only in time for a couple Vinyl Radio songs. Bobby, the drummer, was soaked from the rain leaking in on the edge of the tent. Puddles were forming in the back patio. I had no cash on me and decided I'd rather spend my dinero at the Ken Club than open a tab and have to spend $20 at the really crowded Beauty Bar, so I made sure everyone had a ride home, and I headed to my house, put on some dry socks and shoes, and headed to the bar, hitting the ATM across the street.

I hung out on the bar side for a bit but one of the tv's had this horrible Rodeo World Championship on that I just couldn't stomach, so I went to see who was playing and it was Dan Padilla (the band not the man). Gene was on drums on the stage (topless, I might add) and the guitarist and bassist were playing on the floor in front of the stage. I've seen them a few times and never get over how much they remind me of old Fluf crossed with some of the old faster punk like early Pennywise (though that probably is completely unflattering to the band). Definitely check them out when you get the chance. Oh, except keep and eye out, because even though there weren't a whole lot of people watching the band, several beer bottles were shattered, there was pushing and shoving that looked like a fight but was really among friends, and some extremely trashed patrons talking shit.

I hope it is clear why today I really, really, slept in. Time to go watch the Chargers clinch #1...

Recap 2: Friday Night: La Pastorela

Sometimes you've gotta get that QT in with your family, and that was the case for me on Friday evening. Still feverish and not feeling 100%, Andrea and I grabbed some happy hour appetizers at The Prado until it was time for my play and she borrowed my bike to get home.

La Pastorela is the oldest play brought to America, having been brought by the Spanish in the early 1500's. It has been adapted innumerable times and is a Mexican holiday tradition, with thousands performed every year in Mexico. This was the 16th year that Bill Virchis has presented the Pastorela to San Diego. It is well worth the $22 bucks.

La Pastorela is the story of the birth of Christ*. Two angels come to tell Mary and Joseph that they are carrying the son of God and are to head to Belén (That's Bethlehem to you). They are told that they will probably encounter obstacles, in the form of Lucifer who will try to tempt the travelling group with the 7 deadly sins in various forms. The angels decend to bring the group to safety as they arrive in Belén for the birth of Jesus.

*I was raised Catholic but kicked out of CCD in 4th grade. I consider myself an atheist but can still appreciate the overall messages of love and peace that are conveyed in this play. It is of my opinion that many people today use a veil of religion to further their own agendas. Love thy neighbor has all but vanished. Now I'll step of my soap box and get back to regular programming...

The cool thing about La Pastorela is that the writer incorporates modern pop cultural references to the play...Nacho Libre, Dick Cheney's hunting trip, The Blues Brothers, and a great moment when Lucifer is tossed down a well and his devil's scream down the well a la Garden State, among other pop references. The play is presented in English with occasional Spanish slang. Because it was opening night, Bill Virchis continued his tradition of reading the Mexican Twas the NIght Before Christmas. (posted at the end of this post)

After the play, I met Dave and crew for Dave's birthday at Shakespeare's. I haven't been there in ages and ran into Bullet, Kyle, Jon, and Ben, all random friends from totally different times in my life, so it was a bit strange. We played darts and drank and by about 12, everyone called it a night.

But not me, no. I went to the Ken Club where Electric Frankenstein drew a packed bar on both sides. I didn't go to the band side but people were happy that "a national touring band" was playing there. I guess the band had a following some years ago, they're from Jersey, and they're apparently the kind of band that you have to get really fucked up to watch, judging by the fact that pretty much everyone in the crowd was really fucked up.

After the bar closed, Scooter, Adam, Paloma, Flor and Jorge came over for a couple beers. When Paloma, Flor and Jorge left, Adam, Scooter and I watched Love Actually. (My drunk at Christmastime favorite movie) and before we knew it, it was 6 am. Shit.

I passed out until Kristian picked my up to take me to lunch at Hash House. I haven't been there in far too long but I won't make that mistake again. That food is amazing. The plates are like troughs. The food, well, instant food coma...so I came home and slept until it was time for the Hootenanny...that post to come....

A Mexican Night Before Christmas


'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa,
Not a creature ws stirring -- Caramba! Que pasa?
Los ninos were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pyjamas,

While hanging the stockings with mucho cuidado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos and malos,
A nice batch of dulces and other regalos.

Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my feet like a fightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think that it era?

Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.

I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Berto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"

Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,

Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his red suit de gala,
He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos --
For none of the ninos had been very malos.

Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all, and Feliz Navidad!

Recap 1: The Little Ones

I spent almost my whole workday on Thursday with a damn fever at work, so when I got home I decided a nap was more important than TNT. I'll have to catch the Donkeys somewhere else, I guess.

I did, however, make sure that I was up and rearing to go to see the Little Ones at the House of Blues side stage. Andrea was already downtown so we met out front and headed in. We got there early enough to talk to the bartenders and hang out for a while. We didn't see really any of the Small Sins. They sounded decent from the patio but not enough to pull us in. I was just more stoked by the merch table...Astralwerks was represented and handed out goody bags...a few CD singles including Infrared by Placebo and Compilations with about 20 songs each from the last few years. They also had really cute The Little Ones posters, some band pins, etc. I love my free shit. And if you haven't yet, download the Christmas screensaver from the Little Ones Myspace page that has a Countdown to Christmas clock on it.

When The Little Ones started, we were happy to see that the "too cool" crowd had left a 2-3 foot gap in front of the stage so we maneuvered our way up there. I am gonna admit something right now that is gonna sound REALLY ignorant...but in interviews I've heard and read about the band, they've mentioned that 3 of the members were from San Diego. I've also heard them say that they have a dream of opening a San Diego style burrito shop in LA because apparently LA burritos just don't cut it...so I assumed the band guys, at least the ones from San Diego, were Latino. Alas, the front man and bassist are Filipino! Pinoy pride! They rocked our socks off. They have a lot of choruses that can easily be sung along to, and handclap as percussion opportunities for the crowd. Andrea told the singer to tell the crowd to move forward and they eventually did and the crowd seemed to be really into the band.

After the show we had some crappy del taco food and called it a night as my fever returned...but totally worth it for The Little Ones. Come on 94/9...Indie and KEXP are spinnning Lovers Who Uncover...let's hear it in San Diego. They're (kinda) local, give them the love they deserve!

Weekend Recap

OK, a lot of ground to cover today so here's what you'll be reading about today:

The Little Ones @ House of Blues
La Pastorela @ The Old Globe
Electric Frankenstein @ The Ken Club
Delta Spirit @ Hootenanny BBQ
Silversun Pickups, Pete Yorn, The Shins, Modest Mouse @ Rimac
Vinyl Radio @ Beauty Bar
Tiltwheel @ The Ken Club

Not posting today.

I skipped out on TNT last night but did make the Little Ones show. They are fucking rad. Period. But I'm not really in the mood to write today, so check out my things to do this weekend posting and I'll catch you all out on the town.

Happy (early) Birthday, Dave. I'll catch up with you guys after your dinner.

Things To Do: (Lots of Updates)

Thursday:

• The Little Ones w/Small Sins @ House of Blues Sidestage. (3 of the members of The Little Ones are from San Diego! Don't miss this set...their EP is getting rave reviews. Catch them before their full album release in '07. Check them as artist of the day at Spin.com) (doors 9:30, show @ 10pm)
• Free shit: The Donkeys & Ilya @ TNT (Museum of Contemporary Art, Downtown) 7-10p
• Love Motor @ The Ken Club
• A Week's Worth & Micromaniacs @ Canes (8pm)
• The Modlins, Secret Apollo, & Static Halo @ SDSC $5 (the listing in CityBeat lists Oliver Reigns & Secret Apollo only)
• Aimee Mann's Christmas Show @ Belly Up
• Ziggy Marley & Skye @ 4th and B (Skye is the original vocalist for Morcheeba)
• Punk @ The Brass Rail (Noisegod, Nuthin Speshl, Riboflavin, FUNKYjahPUNKIES, Free Confusion)
  

Friday:

• Old Man Hands and Bartender's Bible @ The Whistle Stop
• ¡Society!, Fifty on Their Heels, Qu'est Que'Cest, Mayan Kings @ Casbah
• Primus and Gogol Bordello @ Rimac Arena
• Electric Frankenstein, The Fabulous Rudies, ADHD & The Widows @ The Ken Club
• Lowcloudcover, Ghost of California, Starcrossed @ Scolari's
• The Infants, The Utah Country Swillers, & Dead as Dillinger @ Zombie Lounge
• Fono & Roman Numerals @ Beauty Bar
• Matt & Kim, Jehovah's Fitness @ Ché Cafe
• Star 94.1 Jingle Ball
• Molotov @ Mexitlán (Tijuana)
• Free shit: South Park Winter Walkabout, 6-10pm. Visit several retailers for specials, sales, snacks, and beverages.
• And where I'll be: The Pastorela at the Old Globe
• Ovals of Cassini, Dane Scott & the Panty Peelers, Loose Canon, Juan Peso, the Nate Donnis Trio, and Rice Rokit @ Dreamstreet (4pm)
• Doomsday Device & Slow Roll @ Coffee House on Broadway (CHOB) 8pm
• (This one is from Adam of Rookie Card/Blasphemous Guitars):
  ONE NIGHT ONLY!-@ the Ould Sod
  Come see the best live band in San Diego at the city's best little Irish bar. Billy Midnight start rockin' around 9:30 and Adam will join them for a set later in the night. We've been hopping up with each other for years, singing everything from Air Supply to the Byrds. We'll be doing Rookie Card and Billy Midnight classics plus a bunch of fun covers. Haven't seen them with Jason Hee (Buzzkill Romantics, Rookie Card, Bunky, Pinwheels, Marie Haddad Experience, the Pinwheels, Milkley Crue, White Christamas Stripes, Twin Dynamo) on bass yet?! You really should.

Saturday:

• FM 94/9 Holiday Hootenanny @ Rimac featuring Modest Mouse, The Shins, Pete Yorn and Silversun Pickups. Don't forget, doors are at 5:30...be there early! It's sold out and its General Admission...
• Hootenanny Pre-party/BBQ on Rimac field (beer available) feat. Delta Spirit 5:30
• Vinyl Radio & Sirens Sister @ Beauty Bar
• Buckfast Superbee, Spell Toronto, & The Fascination @ The Casbah
• Tiltwheel, Lazerwolf, and Thunderbolt @ The Ken Club
• HiLites, Rice Rockit, and Manganista @ Squid Joe's
• Some Girls, Fast Forward, Grand Ole Party @ Epicentre
• Slightly Stoopid w/ Pepper @ 4th and B
• Creepy Creeps and Ramonas(All girl Ramones cover band)@ Tower Bar
• The Long and Short of It, The Family Curse, and City Of Whores @ Alibi (FREE)
• Dub Dance Party @ Habitat (1008 21st Street. Food and Drinks provided. )
• ¡Panic! at the Disco @ iPayOne Center (Bloc Party CANCELLED)
• Free shit: Mission Bay Parade of Lights, 7pm
• Other Free Shit: Grand Opening of Disconnected Salon (3830 30th Street)I saw this on the web, so I decided if it’s posted on MySpace then it ain’t private… Rocco Deluca will be playing solo and DJs Kid Lightning and Notorious R.U.G. (That’s Jamal and Ruggy to you) will be spinning. Here’s a Link to RSVP.
• Also: There is an open call for "college looking" people for Veronica Mars, held at the Stu Segal studios on Ruffin Road. Check it out here.

Sunday:

• Menomena, 31 Knots, and Pink Mountaintops @ Casbah ($10)
• Jimmy Gnecco (of Ours) @ House of Blues -sidestage
• Chad Farran @ Lestat's
• Free Shit: Beauty Bar Holiday Party. All resident DJs will be present and the bar is hosted from 9:30-10:30 p.m. How many vodka tonics can I drink in one hour? I don't know but call me a cab!
• 91X Nightmare Before X-Mas @ iPayOne
• Peaches @ El Foro (Tijuana)
• Holiday Craft Fair @ The Whistle Stop 2:30 pm. Local Artists and Crafters.
• San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Fireworks @ 5:30, Parade follows.
• Political Stuff: Town Hall Forum on Presidential Accountability
  Bob Filner (Congressman, 50th District) and Jeeni Criscenzo (Candidate, 49th District), and Marjorie Cohn (incoming President of the National Lawyers Guild) will be present/hosting. Friendship Park, 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista.
  (If anyone wants to go with me, please let me know. We can carpool. I’ll talk my parents into making us food.)

Monday, December 11:

• Roxy Jones & Sarah Hanson @ Beauty Bar. This is the last Poprocks by Tim Pyles.
• +44 & The Matches @ Soma
• Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Tower Bar.

Tuesday, December 12:

• Secret Apollo, Merch, and The Mints @ Scolari's
• The Strays & The Slackers @ Casbah
• Me First and the Gimme Gimmes @ House of Blues.
• Karaoke Night @ The Ken Club

The only real question now is when the hell do you plan on sleeping?

See you tonight at TNT & HoB!

James Blunt has a blog

Yes, James Blunt has a blog. Daye and I were supposed to get some hookup for this show to see Starsailor, but it fell through. Why does his blog matter to you? See what he says about our Sports Arena...iPayOne Center...

San Diego - November 14th- Hometown to several of our
American touring crew, it was raining heavily as we set off for more breakfast
radio and television. This caused chaos on the roads as it such a rare event in
Southern California, and lead to many accidents and traffic jams. At the NBC
studios, we met another James H Blunt who was one of their security team. He
proved to be a charming man who had suffered much teasing over his name, and we closed the show being interviewed together and swapping his name badge for my tour pass. Off to soundcheck at the I Pay One Arena, which is a rather decrepit place that had been one of the first arenas in America.

We've always known it's the worst venue ever. Poor James had to find out for himself.

Chuck D @ M-Theory

Here's a short clip from the M-Theory instore appearance of Chuck D. Did anyone reading this attend? Was there really "a line around the building"? And more important, did the sexy fireman come out to check it out like they did for What Made Milwaukee Famous?

(youtube isn't letting me embed the damn video, sorry)

Review: Wednesday Night, Dec 6

It's been quite a random week for music for me which had left me pretty damn exhausted. That said, I got home from work and took an hour long nap which was plenty. I actually spazzed when I woke up thinking it was morning and I was late for work...

When I did get up and got ready, I swung by and picked up Andrea and we headed to 4th and B for the Faint and Ratatat. We did a "drive-by" and there was a line wrapping around the building and a 4x8 area for smoking. (Get that shit together, 4th & B) Granted, maybe planning our arrival for 9:45 was a bit foolish, but still...LAME. We parked the car and got a drink at the Local, which was having some fundraising karaoke night to raise money for Christmas gifts for foster kids. I contacted Catdirt who said he saw the line and took off. We left the Local and the line was still just as long so we ditched that plan altogether.

We decided on Landlord Jims, hoping that Mitch would be working, but he was not. One drink, then back on our way. Knowing today would be a long day (TNT, House Of Bluse for the Little Ones), Andrea decided to call it a night.

I was gonna do the same but got a text message from Miggs so I headed to the Zombie Lounge. I really need to go there more. I guess I don't because the unisex bathrooms are a turnoff, but it really is fun. Cheap drinks, good small area for bands, and if you get there early enough you can grab yummy tamales across the street. (Or Church's Chicken, if that's your thing.)

As I arrived, 12 Cent was playing. I think the guitarist told me they are from PB, but it was a punk rock night so I don't really know what he was talking about. The band was good and they had a small crowd of friends up front screaming along with every song. One guy had a Rancid beanie on and I definitely heard that influence but there was also that whole sound mainstreamed by Flogging Molly. People there for Murphy's Law seemed to appreciate the opener almost as much as the cheap drinks, which is a compliment in that place...

Murphy's Law played a short time after and I guess with them, I expected more of Flogging Molly sound but really they were pretty much a standard straight forward punk band on the verge of hardcore. The bar was pretty packed and the crowd seemed pleased with what they were seeing...I on the other hand was pleased that Peter from the Ken Club was slinging drinks at the Zombie cuz he knows how I like em...

I've gotten the feeling over time that shows at the Zombie are defintely more for a social scene. You check out the band for one or two songs till you can't take the heat and then hang out by the bar or out front for a smoke. Not to say the bands aren't worth watching, but it's like being at a house party more than a more formal "show". The funny thing about that was that unlike the Belly Up, House of Blues, or almost any other venue, this crowd is punk and the crowd your mama warned you about, yet EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. someone passed me or bumped me, there was an "oh, excuse me" attached. Those fake blonde bitches at the Belly Up could take some schoolin'. All in all, I'm kinda glad the Faint didn't work out because I needed a night of wild, near my home, among friends and music that really lets you let it out. Not bad for a Wednesday night in San Diego.