Exciting Weekend Ahead...

First time in a while that I have been so excited for shows!  This weekend has some amazing acts coming into town. I am pretty sure you will see me at everyone of those shows. I know this Friday I will be jumping from two venues..
Lets just make the quick list of shows you should all attend.  If you are not at these shows.  Then I recommend you ask for your testicles back from whom ever is hiding them! 
I am going to make your weekend plans very easy.  

• Tonight 11/18 - Echo Revolution's CD Release Party w/ Wendy Bailey and The True Stories @ Eleven  
• Maren Parusel and Guest  @ Casbah San Diego .

• Tomorrow 11/19 - Images, Jet Kill Radio, and Compton SF @ Eleven
• Flexx Bronco w/ Superbees, and Tuggs at  Bar Pink

• Saturday 11/20 -The Dragons with Lord Howler and DJ Gary Shuffledust ... For Mario's Tearful Birthday (mans getting old but still looking young)

• Sunday 11/21 -  Bloody Mary Recovery time @ Eleven... DO IT!

So Ill see ya at those shows!  

Pictures sometimes are better than words..

So I will admit it, I have had writers block over and over again.  My post could sound so much better.I know I should have done many reviews on shows, cds and the random guy at the bar who thinks his band is the coolest thing since Blink 182.

Well I am apologizing.  However, I have been getting my creative juices flowing by doing the next thing I know how to half ass.  Which is flyer making.  Yes Photoshopping and the use Illustrator to make some pretty flyers for upcoming Eleven shows.

I decided to post them on here so you can all go "OOO," "AHH," and "oh shit girl really?"

All in order by dates of the shows.

      

  

  

    

  

Enjoy all the shows to come!  

Like a bird ready to fly

For the longest time I knew I wanted to do a small piece on Maren Parusel and her wonderful band.  Every time the opportunity came, so did writers block.  I would sit there and wonder, what is it about this band that puts a smile on my face. Six months ago when at SXSW I was watching the band and something came over me.  It was almost like a form of relaxation and complete bliss.  When headed back to San Diego, I asked for the press kit and started reading their bios and listened to their music more than before.  

Today finally I decided to do what their live music makes me feel, to just go with the flow.  As "Days in Universe" is playing in the background.  I placed my hands on the keyboard and went along for the music journey that is Maren Parusel.  

Ever since Maren step foot unto American soil, only good things have been coming her way.  She grew up in small town in Germany (Tubingen).  As a child, she was classically trained on piano. Then jumping on to a bass and guitar in her teenage years.  Her musical influences also changing.  From composers such as Debussey and Chopin to artist like Chuck Berry, The Pretenders and song writers such as Leonard Cohen.  


From Wild Weekend to her own band, the stylistic music journey is never ending for Maren. During SXSW the legendary Kim Fowley took an interest in her.  The band traveled to Los Angeles to record with him.  Following that was a mini tour up the coast.   Maren is like a song bird ready to wake the morning before soaring the sky with her enchanting voice and dreamy lyrics. 


Her next show will be at Casbah San Diego with Get Back Loretta, Black Hondo, and Gunrunner on Novemeber 18.  Make sure you get your tickets soon.  This one will sell out quickly.  While you're there make sure to pick up her five song EP.  

Beer Week at Eleven...a little more than a week.

Hey everyone,

Looks like its that time of the year. Beer Week San Diego. We at Eleven have a super big treat for all of you beer drinkers and music lovers!

This is our schedule for the entire week. (its more like 10 days of nonstop drinking and festivities!)

Starting this Friday (Nov 4) and ending with a day time bbq on Nov 14th

Nov 5th - THE QUEEN'S GUARD and THUNDERADO - 5 bucks 

Nov 6th - SATELLITE SKY, RUN DEVIL RUN and COZY CORNERS - 5 bucks

Nov 7th - LIARS' CLUB REVISITED & M.E.X. BBQ JAM! - 3pm

Nov 8th - CHIMAY HAPPY HOUR 5pm; OPEN MIC NIGHT starts at 7pm

Nov 9th - BALLAST POINT BEER & SPIRITS NIGHT; MUSIC FROM 90 PROOF PISSERS - $2 after 8pm

Nov 10th - HAPPY HOUR WITH THE BARNACLES; LIVE COMEDY AT 9:00 PM

Nov 11th - CORONADO BREWERY NIGHT WITH MUSIC FROM FOR DAYS - $3 after 8pm

Nov 12th - SKYLINE UNION and THE YEASTIE BOYZ- 5 bucks 

Nov 13th - 20 GRAND CLUB WITH THE BAJA BUGS - 5 bucks 

Nov 14th - THE FIRKINS BBQ JAM - 3PM

Being a San Diego scenester is not all that bad.....

Hello to all my readers and followers.  I know I have been MIA from writing on my blog.  I haven't really.  I have drafts that I have started and have left there due to my running around.

I really need to take more days off.

However, luckily enough San Diego City Beat was generous enough to write a small bio about my love of the San Diego music scene.

You can catch it here at San Diego City Beat.   Thanks for your continued support with this blog.

I wish my original partner in crime was still here to see this happen... Chris Wick (RIP) lil buddy this was for you!

Young Post Hipster Sweethearts Playing Dirtwave..

The description given to me by San Diego's lovable Ryan Blue about his new band was "post hipsters sweethearts playing dirtwave."   Post hipsters so true.  Sweethearts, also true.  Playing dirtwave, Is that a new genre? Or is that just what the creative Ryan Blue thinks of his music?


If you remember my expedition with five awesome companions towards SXSW earlier this year, well one of those companions was no other than Ryan Blue.  Silly tall man that was around for an entire week with four others. A good thing I met Ryan.  Didn't know much about him till that week.

Now months after that adventure, here I am doing a piece on his band. Centerlight Pop.  Don't let the name confuse you to thing they are bubblegum, happy go lucky, pop rocks, and lollipops kind of band.  Instead they bring the alternative - country, anything can happen rockn roll into the bar.

That crooning Ryan does in all his songs bring that almost country vibe. The music behind him is high energy rock.  When the other members of then band cosist of River City, Golden Red, and Gun Runner.  You know your in good hands.

Their music could be best describe as a country rock ballad that has never been heard.  Its not really like Ryan Adams and The Allman Brothers had a bukaki.  Nothing like The Who decided to explore their Amur-ic-ahn red neck side. However the classic meets the new improved alternative country rock. Centerlight Pop takes it to a whole new level of music.  Since the band first started with their debut show at Lestats for NPMT, they have been getting nothing but exploding reviews.

This might not be as exploding, however, I recommend checking out the band.

Israel's TV Buddhas Brings the Rock to Pink

So we got the news they are from Israel. Well at least their EPK said so.  Their publicist says they are from Berlin.  When I was trying to get a supporting act for them, the manager for a local band asked me how I had affiliation with a band from Israel (will no longer contact that ass).    They are originally from Israel, but have found a residency in Berlin while recording their new EP We are Busy Bodies.

This trio team consist of a brother and sister, a husband and wife, and a complete road family.  Their first American tour started in the beginning of September. For six weeks, these band of rockn rolls will become Americanized with an extensive every day, city to city, cross country experience that they haven't encountered before.

On September 15th I received an email from their label.  "For Immediate Release,"  the band made a vlog (video log) based on their tour so far.  A band that has no friends, no family and no time for themselves, in a country where the face of music has drastically changed.  These DIY rockers face what a true American tour has become.

Through the hard aches of the music industry in the USA (big time fancy promoters, Hipster publication, and music consumer hype. Which I always say DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE).  The log shows that, their tour has been a bust.  Promoters are putting them as a headliner in clubs and cities they have never came across before.  The clubs are clearly empty, they are making under 50 bucks a day and living off that.  A frustrated amazing band that deserves the right crowd and maybe the right club to turn their depressed, frustrated, almost frantic tour into something to write home about.

With local act The Displaced headlining the 26th of September at Bar Pink, the show might change the way the rest of their tour goes.  San Diego is their first city in California, making their west coast tour maybe something they are looking for during their six weeks of hard work and road wary.  I guess what I am saying is we west coast rockn rollers could probably turn their frowns upside down.

Ever since I heard TV Buddhas via Dang at Bar Pink and their label, I knew it was a must see show.  Their music was so enlightening.  Like if Modern Lovers married the Ramones and found garage rock near Motor City.  Is that even a possible way of explaining what a band sounds like?  I think so. Their album We Are Busy Bodies  makes you want to shimmy and shake while wearing your sunglasses in the night club and drinking your PBRs.  In my case I will stick to my whiskey and beer while I dance my face off in the front and hoping that you will be next to me as well doing the same.

September 26th with The Displaced at Bar Pink.  Be there or... well, you know the rest.  Like I mentioned in my tweeter update if you aren't there it must mean you do not like talented musicians and great rockn roll. (Or you aren't in the city.  But they are on tour so catch them in your city!)

http://www.myspace.com/tvbuddhas
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Upcoming shows! The weekly Picks are back up!

Hello end of summer.  Oh, wait, it never came.  That's alright, based on the nights and the shows this could have been one of the best summers San Diego has seen in a while.  This year for my birthday, I celebrated with my dear friends and The Night Marchers.  How awesome is that? 


Now, it's been a while, however back to my weekly picks starting with tonight!


Sept 21:
Nena Anderson and Friends @ Riviera Supper Club
Signal Path, Blockhead and Nocando w/Open Mic Eagle @ Casbah
Saccarine Trust, Neo, Tribraco, Pea @ Soda Bar


Sept 22
The Jim Jones Revue, The Bellrays, Coasting @ Casbah
Wise Monkey @ Bar Pink
Paul Collins Beat, Baja Bugs, Jungle Fever @ Soda Bar
Lindbergh Skies, Dying To Wake, Paper Rock Tiger, Dead Animal Mod @ Beauty Bar


Sept 23
Riverboat Gamblers, Victor Ship, One F @ Bar Pink
The Riot Before, Breaker Breaker One Niner, The Getdown @ Ruby Room


Sept 24
Centerlight Pop w/ Hotel St. George @ Eleven
Dungen , No Joy @ Casbah
FOOL'S GOLD, Hosannas, Mattson 2 @ Soda Bar


Sept 25
Adams Ave Street Fair Day 1
MR ROCK DUDE nite! w/ EARTHLESS, The Loons, Joy, Operation Mindblow
Immovable Objects w/ Mundy Knights @ Eleven
Helmet , Bison BC, The Makeup Sex @ Casbah


Sept 26
Adams Ave Street Fair Day 2
The Displaced w/ TV Buddhas @ Bar Pink 
The Amalgamated, Unsteady, Ottley Mercer, Fire Corner @ Casbah


See ya guys at the shows!

Where have all the Postings gone..

Dear readers,

I would like to thank you all for your continued support over the blank pages of this blog.  No, I have not decided to abandon my blog.  The past few months have been a bit hectic on my end, but in a great way.   After the many many years of helping out in the music scene and paying my dues for the past 10 or so odd years.  My dues decided to pay me back.  I have in the past month taken over the responsibility of booking shows in San Diego, going on the road with a a couple of legendary bands, and just being the eyes and ears of all Rockn' Rollers in the world.

In the past two months I have seen more of California with two amazing bands The Dragons and The Zeros, then I have alone.  The road treated us well.  The first weekend it was Thee Parkside and Benders with The Dragons.  Merching is always a great time.  Those guys know how to treat a lady.  At least one who (and this is still up in the air) can maybe, possibly out drink the band. Again it hasn't been put to the complete test, but who knows.

The weekend after that The Zeros!  Hector Penalosa came to my house at 9am, and it felt like a kidnapping situation.  A green creeper soccer mom van with two out of the four Zeros.  Back up to San Francisco again for a show at the Elbo Room and Sacramento for the show at The Blue Lamp.  A place that I always found interesting is the city of Sacramento.  Tweeker galore. Kind of creepy, but still had a blast.

The final weekend of the mini weekend tours was the Vegas Shakedown.  There is no place like Vegas.  Crazy fun times with some amazing bands.  Both The Dragons and The Zeros took me along (in the same creeper van) with Captain M as the driver.  This man kept us all in order when it came down to taking care of some business all three weekends.  When we got to Vegas, it was towards the 4 Queens.  In our rooms, we rest up and shower from the hotter than hell ride towards the desert. Two nights two venues.  The Las Vegas Country Saloon and The Beauty Bar.

Now back home and your truly had a few shows I was already booking for Bar Pink.  Now I have my own proper venue.  Eleven (www.elevensandiego.com) This is the old Radio Room/Zombie Lounge.  The nice people at Hamilton's have taken over the management of the amazing now renovated location.  If you do not get Eleven then watch Spinal Tap.   The bar is open daily from 3pm-2am Monday-Friday.  12pm-2am Saturday - Sunday.

Again, just cause I book here does not mean I will only pick those nights as my pick of the nights.  Well, wont lie, if I booked them, that probably means you should really check it out!  More road stories, more highlights will continue to do the weekly picks.  All in due time. Until then thanks for the patience and support!

The North Park Music Thing...

3 years ago NxNP was one of the first music festivals that actually caught more than just my attention.  It caught also my eyes and ears. I have been to many festivals over the years. However, this one is in my city.  Representing San Diego while helping you (the musician) understand the whole dynamic we call the music industry. The NxNP changed their name during the second year to North Park Music Thing.  It is similar to the world famous SxSW that occurs every year in Austin Texas.  As many of my readers remember, I did attend

You might be asking yourself, is it that time of the year again?  Yes, my good friends and comrades, it is.  Changing the name from NxNP to North Park Music Thing, the event is now spread out for two days.  Before it was two days of panels guest speakers, questions, demos so on and so forth.  One day of 150-200 artist in 15 venues and panels.  Second day of panels and a large music stage in front of hotel.

This year, it is going to be so much better.  I can feel it. It's two days of music and two days of panels!

I was asked to book an "Official Showcase" and help finish rounding up the line-up for another showcase.
Taking a lot of bands into consideration.  What better than to book a good rockn' roll band that was in one of my first rosters ten years ago.  Back when the only venues I was able to book was my backyard and a coffee shop, it was hard to find cool bands that weren't made up of young kids my age. (Mind you I was 16 years old)

They say things come back in full circles.  I believe it when it comes to the music scene in San Diego.  When The Displaced first moved to San Diego as a band.  They came to me for a show.  I booked them at a coffee shop and here it is a full circle.  The Displaced will be headlining the official showcase for RRNLSG.  Also on the bill is Gun Runner, Little Hurricane, Centerlight Pop (a debuting band from Ryan Blue)  and Shawn Rolhf and The 7th Day Buskers.  This is an All Ages show so bring the kids down and show them what good rockn roll sounds like.

If you decided to want to drink and listen to music, by all means please stop by the Ken Club for "A Night of Whiskey Drinkin and Shitkickers."  Yes you heard it right,  The Ken Club will be hosting the only Honky Tonk/Cowpunk/Country Rockn' Roll showcase during the NPMT.  Headlining that showcase will be The Screaming Yeehaws and Behind The Wagon, The Palominos, Stephen Rey and The Slicks, and El Monte Slim.

Be sure that you picked up your passes for both days.  This event goes off the wall every year! I would hate for you to miss it.

For more information go to The North Park Music Thing Website

Weekly Picks.. I Recommend you go here!

Rain, misty nights, and clouds? Really in the middle of July?  I thought this was "sunny" San Diego.  Let's not let this weather get us down.  There are way too many good shows this week to allow this weather to make you a homebody.  So get up; get moving; get rocking.  These are you weekly picks:


July 22
Johnny Rad Fest Day 1 w/ The Grids and The Embalmers & More @ Tower Bar
The Black Diamond Riders @ Bar Pink 
Ghetto Blaster, Dead Ghost, Fkenal @ Ruby Room
Blessure Graves, Eyes, Jesus is Angry @ Soda Bar
Street of Little Girls, Chappo (NY), Long Claws @ Tin Can Ale House


July 23
Johnny Rad Fest Day 2w/ The Zeros, NoBunny, The Boy Toys and More @ Ken Club 
Le Butcherettes, Marquez, Shapes of Future @ Soda Bar (should be one HELLVA SHOW)
Loons (CD release party), The Creepy Creeps and The Deep Ones @ Casbah
Bagdad, Slipping Into Darkness (The Desert), Zodiac Death Valley (SF), Doves and Desperados@ Tin Can Ale House
The Insiders (UK) and More @ The Ruby Room


July 24
Johnny Rad Fest Day 3(day show) The Fast Takers @ Two Roses Tattoo
Johnny Rad Fest Day 3 w/ THe Spits, Tokyo Electron, Half Rats @ Ken Club
Longsleeves, Bobby Pena and the Stowaways, Mark Haeck, David Romirez @ Tin Can Ale House
The Burning of Rome Comic Con After Party @ Soda Bar
A Scribe Amidst The Lions, Gunrunner, Ryan Blue @ Ruby Room


July 25th
Sunday with CJ , Roxy Jones, Behind the Wagon and more, Free BBQ @ Bar Pink (starts at Noon)
Silian Rail, The Burning of Rome @ Bar Pink (late night show)


July 26th
Scitzophonics, The Mashtis, The Canton Mudders, and Happy Ron @ Casbah
The Styletones @ Bar Pink
Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ U-31
Zombie Surf Camp @ Soda Bar


July 27th 
Breaker Breaker One Niner, London's Falling, Sic Waiting @ Casbah
TIKI Tuesdays W/ Craig Prior @ Bar Pink
Gayle Skidmore and guest @ Soda Bar
Nena Anderson and Friends @ The Turquoise Room (La Mesa)


July 28th
Nathaniel Rateliff w/ Pearly Gate Music @ Bar Pink
NORMANDIE WILSON (CD Release!), The Preteens, The Endless Bummer @ Soda Bar
Black Mamba, Aunt Dracula, D/Wolves @ Tin Can Ale House.  


With some breaks in the clouds, this week will be great!  See ya at the shows!

They Call Them Blackout Party For a Reason......

Want to go fishing?  How about the bottom of the sea?  Ever heard of a blackout party?  Besides what Blackout Party defines in drinking? If you haven't ever seen this band, then you wouldn't understand what I am talking about.

For a while the Monday night residencies at the Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room would belong to no other than Blackout Party.  Playing all the known favorites from their self release album Bottom of the Sea.  It was a night to be sitting at the bar or in a booth with friends while eating a steak and drinking whiskey.  It would be one of those nights where you know what was going on till you woke up with a tiger in the restroom and a baby in the closet. ( Hangover reference for those confused)


As Mondays came and went the band finally decided to go on a small hiatus.  Leaving their usual gigs to Melly Francis and The Distilled Spirits.  (Another band that is worth noting.)  During the bands' hiatus they will be working on a new fall album. Recording at three different locations, his will be another DIY recording by Blackout Party.  The songs that will be featured on the the new album will be some that the regulars at the Riviera Supper Club might be familiar with.  Also featuring new songs by Tim Lowman and Jeff Hawthorne.  As Brian mentioned, " im hoping to get everyone singing lead on at least a song or 2 in the future, like the Band."  That would be a special album made by this band.  


The song writing collaboration between all the members of the BOP had gotten Brian excited.  Mostly everyone writes their part in for a song, so everyone is involved no matter what.  There first day of official recording begins at the end of July.   Starting with drum tracks.  No leaks yet, but when they happen I will be the first to let you all know.  


Although, they are on hiatus, Blackout Party will be playing shows sporadically  through out San Diego.  Such as Saturday July 17th at Casbah with The Howls, and Silent Comedy headlining.  Something new that you will see at this show is a new and bigger sound with the help of Ben Simonetti playing trumpet and flugel horn and hopefully Gabriel Sundy on saxophone.  


Make sure you show up for all the new tricks this band has up their sleeve.  You do not want to miss out on what Blackout Party has in store.  If you have not picked up their last record make sure you do on Saturday.






Blackout Party Official Website

Official Myspace

New Picks..I recommend you go here!

Normally I do weekend picks.  Whats worth watching and where you should go.  Well, I think I'm no longer going to have that and do weekly picks instead.  Starting Wednesday nights I will be posting the weekly picks.  This will actually allow me to not worry about the weekend and also give you (the reader/rockn roller/awesome person) a chance to see where I'm normally floating around on a daily basis.  Stalkers please stay over twenty feet away from me at every show.  Thanks.


So starting today I give you my weekly picks!


Wednesday July 14th

MASHTI'S @ The Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room 

Signals (feat. members of MAE SHI) and Softlightes @ Bar Pink

Antibalas , The Sway Machinery, DJ SK @Casbah San Diego 

THE VICIOUS GUNS (ex-Von Bondies), Beat Panther, Rock Paper Tiger @ Soda Bar

Thursday July 15th
Third Thursdays with Brawley @ Bar Pink
Mahjongg , Vaginals, 60 Watt Kid @ Casbah
STILL FLYIN', Snuffaluffagus, Miniature Tree @ Soda Bar
Pauhana - Hawaiin/Island Reggae @ The Ruby Room
Gun Runner, Ryan Blue, Spirit Animal @ Beauty Bar


Friday 16th
BUMBKLAAT RECORD RELEASE PARTY, GRIDS, BARRIO TIGER, KUNTZ @ Radio Room 
Get Back Loretta w/ Wirepony @ Bar Pink
CEDAR FIRE, Black Bone Child, Of Sons and Ghosts @ Soda Bar
Slick Idiot Tour ft En Esch and Guenter Shulz of KMFDM/Pigface, Mona Mur, and more @ Ruby Room
Dirty Sweet , Family Wagon, The Tender Box @ Casbah
Lessons from Zeke w/ For Days, Roswell that Ends Well, Eclipse 79, DJs @ Beauty Bar
JOHN MEEKS @ The Turquoise Room


Saturday July 17th
The Silent Comedy , Blackout Party , The Howls @ Casbah
BLACK FAG, Milli Vanilli's, Pussy Cow, Joyce Manor, French Exit @ Soda Bar
THE SMART BROTHERS @ The Turquoise Room 


Sunday July 18th
3-year Anniversary feat. Black Diamond Riders and Hypernova @ BAR PINK ~ HAPPY THREE YEARS!!!!!!!  
Lady Parts / Lauren De Rose / Guests @ The Ruby Room
Teenage Bottlerocket , Banner Pilot, The Bombpops!@ Casbah

Monday July 19th
DRINK UP BUTTERCUP, Cousins, Street of Little Girls @Soda Bar
WITCHAVEN, DEGENERATED, VAMPIRATES, RAZOR MAZE, TRASHER @ The Ruby Room
Styletones @ Bar Pink 
Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ U-31
Melly Francis and The Distilled Spirits @ The Turquoise Room 


Tuesday July 20th
Tiki Two's Day with Adrain Demain and Guests @ Bar Pink (you know ill be going down the Tiki List!) 
Jace Everett, 7th Day Buskers, Matt Haeck @ Casbah
NENA ANDERSON AND FRIENDS @ The Turquoise Room


See ya'all at the Shows!  Remember the first recommendation in bold is normally where I'll be floating the most around!   Make sure you attend the Three Year Anniversary at Bar Pink. You don't want to miss Black Diamond Riders, its going to be a riot!