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!

Come Out Tonight......

Lord Howler started as a solo project by Charlie McRee who drums for variety of bands (currently MEX and Wirepony).  He started recording music that he enjoyed to play. Doing lead vocals and lead guitar,  McRee needed a band to capture the love of thrash and classic rock.  Recruiting drummer Jake Najor, bassist Pete Pisaturo, guitarist Mike Shultzman, Lord Howler came about.  They just released a 10 song self titled album recorded in no other than Chaos Records.   


It's gritty, it's grungy, it's one album that is proper for the 2010 upcoming summer fun.  Ladies and gentlemen when you hear the song "Come Out Tonight."  Lord Howler means it.  From the moment you press play all you want to do is jump over the hood of the inferno red '69 Camaro drop top down, and gun it across the country fist pumpin into the air. 


This heavy, dirty, southern rock album should be praised correctly.  When this album hit my cd player, all I could think about was a cross breed between, ZZ Top, Turbonegro and old school Metallica (when they didn't suck). Each song delivers it's own unique madness for high speed driving.  The fast heavy hitting songs such as "Come Out Tonight"  is almost the new Friday night theme song.  Also, songs like "WMSP" and "Space Terror" are in the top list of songs that I have enjoyed from this album.  One song however put me in to utter shock on the way it was not only arranged, but the vocals as well.  "Before the Cold" had a very Alice In Chains sound to it.  A melodic song that starts very somber and half way through it picks up enough beat and tempo as the old 90's grunge ballads. 


The gritty style hard rock album is a great pick of albums for fast driving through the open road.  Please don't get a speeding ticket.  Next show that Lord Howler plays please make sure to pick up an album.  

Bar Pink is Bring in Back The Black!

Thank you Bar Pink for becoming an upcoming venue in the strip.  Besides Casbah, Bar Pink has been having some great shows.  Tonight being one of them.  The line up is Black Hondo and Dead Meat!  With a name like that you know you are getting your face melted tonight!  I am more excited at the fact that Black Hondo is opening up for them. 

If you have never heard or seen this band, it is time to get of your couch and check them out! Black Hondo is a style of their own in a city made up of different genres.  Almost like a new rendition of Jefferson's Airplane.  Lucina Go, the front woman of this band has vocals unlike the other women in San Diego.  Her style is similar to that of Grace Slick.  In this time and age of music, the scene needs something different.  Black Hondo is what this city needs.

The vocals are not the only thing that makes this band unique.  The psychedelic rhythm of the backing band is just as spectacular.  Almost like a siren in the night. Pure classic sounding.  Please let us not get confused with 70's psych rock "I should be on LSD, " type of music.  However, the sweet melodic eerie guitar is enjoyable with just a drink in your hand.  What better place to see Black Hondo, than Bar Pink!  This is a free show. They get on stage early so come on and check them out!

Pick of the Weekend! Where to go and whats worth watching!

The end of the month is here! Time flies when your having fun.  This weekend alone there are many shows worth watching.  I am excited to make the rounds this weekend.  Starting with tonight!  The strip will be packed with lots great bands local and out of town acts.  Here is the Pick of the Weekends!!!

Jan 28
Dead Meat, Black Hondo @ Bar Pink
Manuok, By sunlight, Confessions of a Corn Silo @ Ruby Room
Irradio, Get Down to Brass, Marquez! @ Soda Bar
Apes of Wrath, Hot Moon, Circus Minor @ Casbah

Jan 29
The Drowning Men, Midnight Rivals @ Bar Pink
Transfer, Wirepony, Hong Kong @ Casbah

Jan 30
DUANE PETERS, The Strikers, Die Sabotage @ Radio Room
EARLY SHOW- Polysics , Beaters @ Casbah
LATE SHOW - Town Criers, Manual Scan, Blue Gangsters @ Casbah
Normandie, Night Horse @ Bar Pink
Mia Valentine, The Flowerthief, The Mashits, Queens Guard @ Soda Bar

Jan 31
Firethorn, Heavy Glow, Boyscout, Naticaul Disaster @ Casbah
The Black Tounge Bell, Smashfash The Neighborhood Bully's @ Radio Room

Feb 1
Joe Jack (Deadmilk Men Lord Grunge, The Bassturd @ Bar Pink
Blackout Party @ Riviera
Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ U-31


See You all at the SHOWS!!

Weekend Picks ... what to see and where!

Rain rain go away.... blah... Please do not leave, the city looks beautiful when its wet.  However, it keeps everyone hibernating in their comfort of their giant tv's and their snuggies.  Please don't let this weather affect you and your daily rocking and rolling.  Rain or shine these are the picks of the weekend.  


Jan 22
Maren Parusel w/ Maus Haus @ Bar Pink
Astra Kelly / Luce / RepublicOfLetters/EvanRobinson / Medicine for Madison @ The Ruby Room
Nothington(SF), Breaker Breaker One Niner, Sunnyside, Honest Iago @ The Radio Room
Secret Apollo (album release), Knives, Joanie Mendenhal @ Soda Bar
Dave and Deke Combo, The Bedbreakers, The Rumblers, Bill Cardinal and the Canyon Band in the Atari Lounge @ The Casbah


Jan 23
The Dragons, Uncle Joe's Big Ol' Driver, The Drips, The Spitfires @ Casbah  
DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW OR YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR TO SEE THE DRAGONS AGAIN!


Jan 24
Death On Mars / Melodic Destruction / More TBA @ The Ruby Room
MACHETE, SPEECHES, SCHITZOPHONICS, RYAN BLUE @ Radio Room
Black Lips, Nobunny, Slab City@ The Casbah


Jan 25
The Fascination / Vinyl Film/ Save Amos welcome home show @ The Ruby Room
Anti Monday League Presents Jemina Pearl, Mermaid and The Littlest Viking @ The Casbah


You all know where you will see me on Saturday.  This is a show not to miss. I believe I haven't Missed a Dragons show.  So I don't you should either!  Meet you at the Back Bar! 

Weekend Picks... What to watch... and where...

Another Weekend chock full of great shows.  Since the Holidays are pretty big for everyone and a busy time for bands,  the shows get much more spectacular than the Summer shows.

Here are the picks of the weekend starting with Tonight!

Dec 10

• Northern Towns/ Prosthetic Arms @ Ruby Room
• Casbah Show has been canceled 
• Tropical Depression @ Bar Pink
• Hypnotic Odyssey, Skyline Union, The Earful @ Beauty Bar
• Joanie Mendenhall @ Riviera Supper Club
• The Vaginals, The Reverend Mothers @ Tin Can Ale House

Dec 11

• Westfire, The Skooners, Gray Ghosts@ Beauty Bar
• Dead Feather Moon / Reverend Mothers / Perfect Blue @ Ruby Room
• Agent Ribbons, Vaginals, Trashcan Fires @ Soda Bar
• Hotel St, George, Maren Parsel @ TIn Can Ale House
• Adrenaline Holiday Party with Fitz and the Tantrums, Orgone, DJ Biggs @ Casbah 
• TILTWHEEL, MAN VS. MAN, BRIAN CONGREJO AND THE HANSOME FIVE, ABJECT @ Radio Room

Dec 12

• The Rumble - Tapedeck Mountain, The Drowning Men, All Wrong & The Plans Change W/DJ Andy Ralph from Writer @ Casbah Early show (3pm) Free!  
• Titanarum, Rats Eyes, Dead Ghosts, DJ Urine @ Radio Room
• Dig Jelly (LA) / Kera and the Lesbians / Trouble in the Wind / Paragraphs @ Ruby Room
• John Meeks, Leslie and the Badgers, River City, Paulo @ Soda Bar
• Rock n Roll Stew feat. Two Tears w/ DJs Mikey Face and Angie @ Bar Pink
• Tristeza, Kill Me Tomorrow, Drew Andrews @ Casbah Late Show!  
• The Canton Mudders, The Bertos, Larry and his Flask @ Beauty Bar
  

Alright Get Ready, Set and Plan out the next Three Days! 

Intimate shows .... Residency at your local venues

Residency is not a new thing in the music scene.  However, we arent talking about your piano bar with your normal lounge singer.  2009 has been the year of excellent local acts taking the same stage on a particular night.  It started with Lady Dottie and the Diamonds every Monday at Tower Bar.  Since that moved to U-31; the North Park scene has been growing with their residency acts.  Sundays used to belong to The Tighten Ups.  Now its Mondays with Styletones and Old Man Johnson on the ones and twos.

Besides North Park, catching a show at The Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room is always a great thing.  Let's not forget Beauty Bar.  The one venue you can check out a band, smoke and have a drink in your hand.  (This doesn't not count if your at a house party!)  Here is a list of bands with a normal residency in a local venue!

Sunday- 

Gregory Page @ Beauty Bar

Mondays 

The Styletones @ Bar Pink

Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ U-31

Black Out Party @ Riviera Supper Club.

Tuesday

Brawely @ Riviera Supper Club

Make sure you Check these shows out.  All free.  Yes you read right FREE!  This gives you a reason to really check it out.  

An Early Good Bye to The Bearded Man!

Many people know who I mean when ever I mentioned The Bearded Man.  Many others just believe its some facial haired nobody.  Andy Robillard is more than just a nobody.  He became one of my best friends over the months and years.  A constant good companion in the music scene.

Being a solid veteran in the SD music scene as a bartender, promoter, Citybeat staffer, and all around awesome drummer.  He played in over a dozen bands in the fifteen years he has been in San Diego.  Bands such as Gogogo Airheart. Cashed Out, The Tighten Ups, Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, Free*Stars, Rafter, The And/Ors and the list goes on and on and on...He is the singer of songs.

Leaving back home to The Keys in FL; Where he grew up.  Andy mentioned that he was leaving to help his aging family out.  San Diego just didnt plan out the way he wanted 15 years ago.  Now its time to move on out and try something new.  He had recently had a going away party at Soda Bar.  The bands were The Paragraphers, The Old In Out, Rafter and Free*Stars.  David Stampone had traveled from New York for this special event.   On Monday he had one last set with The Tighten Ups.  One last San Diego show for Free*Stars is on Wed. Nov 18 with Lion Cut at the Tin Ale House.  His last bartending shift will be on Thursday Nov. 19th.  Then leaving on friday morning. 

This brings a small tear in my eye knowing that such a great man is leaving this amazing music scene.  Forever in my heart I will miss Andy Robillard.  Well in till I visit him in February.  Make sure you catch him at any of the above locations. 

Cheers Bearded Man and have safe Travels!

Wired up for a Pony Ride!

Its another Saturday night.  Of course another SOLD OUT show. Finally north county SD represents at Casbah.    I'm only here to check out the opening band.  Which of course I decided that night, "yes, i will do a show review for this."  I do not know that many people who can say they have heard of Wirepony.  I have heard about this band, due to being a Truckee Brothers fan for a while. 

As the time passes you can see the anticipation of the crowd growing. It is a very special night tonight. Not only is North County representing.  However, Arron Dennis is also playing side by side with Patrick.  If you dont know who Aaron is; He would be the eldest of Patrick’s son.  Also the guitarist for Tan Sister Radio.  Keeping the music in the bloodline. The Rockn Roll in the family! 

This is not your normal casbah crowd mainly downtown and north county people.  Tonight was the first night that there was no gap between the stage and the audience.  Normally people stand 50 feet away afriad of the band and the energy that they are exuding out on to people.   As the first song starts,  and the band goes onto “Morphine After.” You can differentiate the style of the Truckee Brothers music and Wirepony.  Although Patrick is in both bands.  They are set apart by the actual band and different styles of rockn roll.  Both worth listening to. 

During the set on stage you can see Patrick staring at Aaron.  Almost in a surreal sense.  "Wow, my kid is next to me."  Im pretty sure nothing but a proud father staring at his eldest as they simultaneous rocks the Casbah stage side by side.  The set list followed with "Atlantic man," then "When are you coming Home."  Which honestly is one of my favorite songs by Wirepony.  As the played their ten song set.  They had the crowd going.  At one point they got the crowd to join in and sing the chorus with them. 

When the set was over, I saw a few people leave.  I was one of those. Wirepony is a sight to see.  This band is completely tight and keeps the audience on their toes.  Kudos for having this band at Casbah. Also AMAZING job and Kudos goes to Aaron Dennis.  This kid has music running through the vines.  I'm excited to see Tan Sister Radio play soon. 

Just found out as well that they will be playing another Casbah show with The Blackout Party, Brawley, Bill Cardinal and The Canyon Band on Nov 27th.  Get your tickets now its gonna sell out!  

Recap of the night: Wirepony awesome, father and son rocking next to each other Epic!

pictures courtesy of Andy King
www.andykingphotography.com

Ill Have a Cafe' Au Lait with a half Loretta on the side!

Friday nights normally consist of me being at Casbah or Bar Pink, or Ruby Room depending on the line up of the shows.  Casbah had Le Soup.  Not sure if i was in the mood for anything that night.  So i took the night off from heavy rocking and went straight to Cafe Libertalia for some coffee shop music.  To my surprise It was Jackson Price, Gayle Skidmore and Kevin Martin and Issac Cass (Half of Get Back Loretta).  I actually showed up during sound check.  Which was a preview to something I was about to see.   This is my first coffee shop show in years.  I believe prior to turning 21.  Maybe longer.

Kevin Martin starts the show.  Sitting on keyboards; he goes into a melodic tune to set the mood.  While playing the first song.  I was expecting a really mellow night.  As Kevin went into the second song, The tempo changed.  This was more of the boogie woogie style.  It is best describe  as  the sounds of Nina Simone and Ryan Adams' love child.  The vocals that Kevin exludes to the audience are very Ryan Adams.  Country and whiny with some slight "im kinda high on something"  melodic gestures.  The sounds coming out of the keyboard was just genuinely warm with fast and slow beats.  Issac and Jackson would randomly come up on stage to either do backups.

For this cramped space, its a full house.  I believe this place can only hold about fifty people maybe a little more if we cramp up like sardines in a tin container. 

Jackson Price is now taking the stage.  The first song he plays is a mix between Jack Johnson and Damine Rice.  Two very different artist however it is possible to mash up very well.  By the jangly sounds of guitar and the mellow voice that is being used to sing the tunes.  With his music I feel as though i should be relaxing on the beach not at a coffee shop.  Jackson then brings the mood back down to a melodic slow flow guitar melodies after just the first song.  At this time I believe it was very much needed for a smoke.  Might wake me up a little bit.  Walking in to take my seat again, Kevin and Jackson are both playing and singing together.  What a great collaboration.  Jackson on guitar and doing back up vocals while Kevin is on keys and singing his heart out.

After their mini set, Gayle Skidmore is next on stage.  Its all very free flowing.  There is no set times, or who plays next.    Now Gayle was more of a treat than a surprise.  She got on the stage with a banjo on hand and a flower in her hair.  She tuned up and started playing.  Great Vocals, unlinke anything i have heard before.  Its a great soul voice mixed in with the twang of banjo.  A girl you can certainly relate with musically speaking.  Gayle is played the RRNLSG: Dia De Los Muertos show at Ruby Room.  Her band at that show was just unbelievable.  Once her mini set was over. 

Next on the rotation was Issac Cass.  The first song started on the left foot.  A few errors were happening, however it became more of a comical thing.  As Kevin and Issac enteract with each other on and off stage.  As the song progressed a few more comical errors from Issac.  This now seemed to be more of a shtick.  When the song was done.  Kevin was asked to go back on stage.  It has now become the Kevin and Issac show at Cafe Libertalia.   Issac's voice  is a combination of Greg Brown and Bob Dylan sans cocaine and booze.  Making it a jangly, loose, and twangy for his music.   As his last song finished, he had finally bloomed on stage.  While both Issac and Kevin played together it the tempo of the music changed and became more jazz and rag-time inspired.  The comedy kept growing and the entertainment was keeping the audience happy. 

By this time, It was time to go home.  Leaving the cafe with a feeling of warmth and happiness.  I knew that taking the night off of Rockn Roll for a mellow cafe show was a great choice.  Recap:  Half Loretta worth seeing.  Great line-ups.  It was worth my 5 bucks.

Its a Rumble and a Show Review!

To tell you the truth, im not sure what is better. A note written on a napkin or a my cheap ass phone. I'm at the Casbah. Its a Saturday night Rumble. The Rumble SD is a free once a month show that brings in a few local acts and a few out of town. This Saturday it was The Blakes, Lady Dottie and the Diamonds and my new favorite band Fitz and the Tantrums.

As the night began I made my way amongst the crowd. Hellos and how are yous are always proper when going to a venue that reminds you of home. Grabbing my usual poison of Jameson and PBR to chase the whiskey down. The Blakes went on. I will have to say its been a while since a band opened the Casbah that I have never heard of and really enjoyed. If BRMC and We are Scientist had a love child. Yes it would be the Blakes. They are a 3 piece band from Settle, WA. The rainy city brings great music sometimes. It might be the over depressed musicians that live there due to the lack of sunshine that we get here in lovely San Diego!


The crowd is grow as the minutes pass. Its almost surreal and movie like. Its like a soundtrack that was meant for the night. I have met Scheff prior to seeing him tonight. The lad was nice enough to keep me company as i did show up alone like always. Great conversations with great people at Casbah always makes my night. The Blakes at this time have finished their set. Its time for Lady Dottie and the Diamonds.

As Lady Dottie take the stage. Joey would actually be missing in action. The band is all set up except for him. As the crowd grows antsy for some good rockn roll. Lady Dottie and The Diamonds can not wait any longer. The first song begins to play. Mid song, in comes Joey in a hurry to set up. Normally I would say what a bunch of amateurs. However, Joey and the band were able to play it cool. What a bunch of little Fonzys'. Nathan Beale is playin guitar as Dirty Sweet is home from tour. The Soul and Funk that is coming out of the monitors is running hard through the veins of the Casbah. What is it about Lady Dottie that keeps everyone movie the way they do? This lovely Saturday night, it had to be the high high energy of the band. Giving it their all! As I talked to Nathan later after the show. I mentioned that this was one of the Hottest Gigs i have seen them do. I didnt mean temperature wise either. Of course what I see in the front isnt the same as what the band sees on stage. To him it was a Jalopy of a mess, however still able to pull off some great stunts for the audience.

Fitz and The Tantrums went on stage. By this time the venue was over loaded with people. To my dismay a wedding reception arrived where the hell did they come from? Does it matter? Not really. Fitz and the Tantrums are a pop soul band. They really impressed me. The presence of the band was more mellow, however enough to keep my toes tapping. Another great night at Casbah. Check out these bands on their myspace for tour information.

http://www.myspace.com/theblakes
myspace.com/ladydottieandthediamonds
myspace.com/fitzsoulmusic

Amateur Hours at the Clubs!

Dear Venues.

Sunday was a disgrace on poor venue booking and managing. Are we fifteen all over again? Did you forget to check the other venues, to see who else was playing? It is not smart to book bands with a similar following. The same group of twenty has to be split between three venues. I feel as though you might need to refer to your Booking Shows 101 manual before continuing the summer festivals. Thank You for reading this

RRLNSG~
Bullet McKenzie


Seriously speaking what a poor cluster fuck of shows at the Ruby Room, Radio Room, and Soda Bar. Ruby Room and Soda Bar double booked the same bands. Who's fault was it? The Bands! (at Ruby and Soda Bar) It was amateur hour all over again. At Soda Bar the lineup was BRAAIINS!!, Nightmares, Pipsqueak, ULTRATWIST. Now the lineup at Ruby Room was Volts, ULTRATWIST, Pipsqueak. Whats wrong with this lineup? On both sides?

Turns out Soda Bar knew about this mix up, and had told the bands to play Ruby Room. When i should up at Ruby Room, half of the bands where there and the other half were at Soda Bar. Braaiins wanted Ultratwist and pipsqueak to play with them. Bad Braaiins.... This over compensation of what could of been a good band years ago is dictating where out of town touring acts should play once venues have booked them else where?

Dear Soda Bar get your shit together. So Far you have been doing well with shows. However one fuck up is not a good thing. Especially because you dont know who is walking into your venue to check out what all this confusing is all about. Ruby Room, decide to just say "Fuck it." they have such great shows coming up anyways. One Sunday with out music is not a bad thing.


Dear Radio Room,
Your Reputation as a venue is slowly dwindling in a downward spiral. I had to leave because it hurt so much to see the lack of people. Over hearing people mention "Sausage Fest." As much as I wanted to support the bands, so I stayed for over 2 hours. Did you really have to start a Sunday show at 10pm? ON A SUNDAY? What kind of RETARD starts a how at 10pm? Having the last band play at MIDNIGHT!? ON A SUNDAY?

Please do something to enlighten my senses when I am at your venue. From the hearsay around town with bands. They are not wanting to play there any more. OH NO! what will you do with the lack of people, and lack of bands? Will Radio Room be another venue gone under? I might have to even remove you from my blogging... However you still have some good shows coming up. Please do me a favor and refer to your Booking Shows 101 Manual again before booking another Sunday show like this past one.

Thanks For Reading
RRNLSG~
Bullet McKenzie

Upcoming shows Not To MISS! Aug 1st -Aug15th!!

The heat is unbelievable. One minute its hot, then the next its cold. Over cast in the morning. Strange isn't it? The shows however, have been incredible. One after another after another. The month of July packed a good amount of concerts all around the strip. Making a decision of where to go kind of hard. August might be able to top July very easily. Ladies and Gentlemen, Upcoming shows you shouldnt Miss!
Aug 1

• MELISSA COFFEY, MISS KELLY STRANGE, THE AGGRONAUTS, GRAVEYARD DOGS @ Radio Room
• Long and Short of It, Tori Cobras, Fing, and Fae Pilot @ Beauty Bar
• FM94/9 presents Greg Laswell, Elizabeth and the Catapult, Derren Raser @ Casbah
• The Hipsters Revisited feat. The Loons @ Bar Pink
• Eastern Sunz @ Soda Bar

Aug 2

• DESERT DIAMONDS, SANGRE SANGRE, EMPTY ORCHESRTA, JUSTIN JOHN RODRIGUES @ Radio Room
• Company of Thieves, Endless Hallway, Black Hondo, and guests @ Casbah
• Park The Van Showcase feat. Golden Boots, Floating Action, and the Generationals @ Bar Pink
• VOLTS / The Ultra-Twist (Italian garage rock!) / Pipsqueak@ Ruby Room
• BRAAIINS!!, Nightmares, Pipsqueak, ULTRATWIST@ Soda Bar

Aug 3

• Lady Dottie & The Diamonds@ U31
• The Styletones @ Bar PInk
• The Bombpops, The Atom Age(Asian Man Records), For the Win@ Radio Room
• Anti Monday League Presents Lymbyc System, Black Mamba, Roll Film@ Casbah
• Blueskies for Black Hearts, Silverleaf, The Constellation Branch @ Soda Bar

Aug 4

• The Bandulus(TX), River City All Stars(TX),The Amalgamated, 2000 Tons of TNT @ The Radio Room
• Mother/Father @ Beauty Bar

Aug 5

• pb dumpsters & knives@ Radio Room
• Bowerbirds, Megafaun, Joel P West @ Casbah
• Live Motown, Classic Soul/RnB all night w/ SOUL CAMP @ Ruby Room
• Agent Ribbons, Sister Crayon, Bitter Sober @ Soda Bar
• The Heavy Glow w/ The Secret Seven & Skyline Union@ U31

Aug 6

• River City, Zagadka(NM) @ The Radio Room
• Maren Parusel, The Paddleboat, Gray Ghosts @ casbah
• The Anna Troy Band@ Bar Pink

Aug 7

• THE RAW DEAL (T.X.), THE SIDE-WYNDERS (L.A.)@ Ruby Room
• Save Amos, The Mainland(Sacramento) @ The Radio Room
• The North Park Music Thing kickoff party - Midnight Rivals(Charlie Ware and Mike Santos(lucy's Furcoat; Pete Reichert (RFTC); Morgan Smith (The Front), Mark Maigaard (Louis XIV)) Thin Man (Early Show) @ Casbah
• Quintron and Ms Pussycat, Gram Rabbit, Static Static (Late Show)@ Casbah
• The Lovemakers w/ The Fresh@Bar Pink
• Beaters 7" release party@ Soda Bar

Aug 8

• Scarlett Symphony / North Park Music Thing! @ Ruby Room
• NORTH PARK MUSIC THING @ Soda Bar
• NPMT feat. Division Day, El Ten Eleven, Get Back Loretta, Lights On @ Bar Pink
• NORTH PARK MUSIC THING! LANTERNS,LOCAL NATIVES, WEATHER BOX, DRUG WARS,SUPER UNL @ Radio Room
• Buckfast Superbee, Stripes and Lines, This is Not My Life, Dead Country@ Casbah

Aug 9th

• The Rumble San Diego - The Growlers, Apes of Wrath, Lights On @ Casbah
• SANU!, PLATYPUS EGG,SQUIRRELLY ARTS, HOCUS @ Radio ROom
• This is Manic / LIONS (Austin) / Nautical Disaster / Double Standard @ Ruby Room

Aug 10

• Says Rally, Red Automatic @ Soda Bar
• Anti Monday League Presents American Steel, The New Trust, Drug Wars @ Casbah

Aug 11th

• KILLS & THRILLS, TIEFIGHTER, @ Radio Room
• Solillaquists of Sound, Brendan B & The Breaks, illuminauts @ Cabash
• Team Abraham, Rademacher @ Soda Bar

Aug 12

• Marasol, XRay Press, Witt, Hurts to Laugh@ Soda Bar
• CD Release - Northern Towns, Brandy Alexander Band, Sunday Times @ Casbah
• the amalgamated-light & 2000 tons of tnt w/dj barnesey @ Radio Room

Aug 13

• The Grass Heat w/ Desert Diamonds, & The Citizen Band @ U31
• CD Release - Hotel St George + Writer, Swim Party, Intricate Machines in the Atari Lounge @ Casbah
• Duel of the Century, Phantom Ratio, Lazy Cobra @ The Radio Room

Aug 14

• The Beautiful View, The Drabs, Human Record @ The Radio Room
• The Muffs, Lovemakers, and guests @ Casbah
• Geezer plus special guests @ Ruby Room
• River City @ Soda Bar

Aug 15

• Japanese Motors, Apes of Wrath, Gestapo Khazi @ Soda Bar
• Little White Teeth / Greg Gibson CD release / TBA @ Ruby Room
• High on Fire, Earthless, Early Man@ Casbah
• Faraway Boys, The Red Devil Squadron, French Kiss Koma @ The Radio Room

San Diego Music Awards!

For those who do not follow the awards. Maybe this year you should. There are some absolutely wonderful bands who have been nominated this year.

The San Diego Music Awards benefits The San Diego Music Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting San Diego music education programs. Over the years the show has featured awards in a variety of categories covering nearly every genre of music, and featured live performances by such major-label, certified platinum, recording artists.

I would like to congratulate all the bands that have been nominated for this amazing award. Good luck. Here are the Nominations for 2009!

Best Cover or Tribute Band
40 Oz. to Freedom
Cashed out
Cheap Leis
Dazed & Confused
Electric Waste Band
Rockola
Rolling the Stone
The Tighten Ups

Best Jazz
Chris Klich Jazz Quintet
David Patrone
Gilbert Castellanos
Jaime Valle
Karin Carson
Mattson 2
Nena Anderson
Steph Johnson

Best Acoustic
Astra Kelly
Erica Davies
Jordan Reimer
Marie Haddad
Smart Brothers
Steven Ybarra
Sven-Erik Seaholm
Veronica May

Best Blues
Chet Cannon & the Committee
Johnny Vernazza Band
Michele Lundeen
Nathan James
Robin Henkel
Steve White
Tomcat Courtney
West of Memphis

Best World Music
Danyavaad & The Shimmy Sisters
Elijah Emanuel
Skelpin
Split Finger
Stranger
The Devastators
Tribal Seeds
Tribe of Judah

Best Americana or Country
Bill Cardinal & The Canyon Band
Billy Midnight
Cathryn Beeks Ordeal
John Meeks
Mark Jackson Band
River City
Sara Petite
Tornado Magnet

Best Hip Hop
afterschoolspecial
Deep Rooted
Jimmy Powers
Lil Uno
MC Flow
The Concrete Project
The Kneehighs
Vokab Kompany

Best Pop
Dynamite Walls
Echo Revolution
Gray Ghosts
Lights On
Team Abraham
The Paddle Boat
The Silent Comedy
Wendy Bailey

Best Alternative
Apes Of Wrath
Hotel St. George
Monsters From Mars
Republic of Letters
Swim Party
Tape Deck Mountain
The Drowning Men
Vision of a Dying World

Best Rock
A Scribe Amidst the Lions
Burning of Rome
Dirty Sweet
The Creepy Creeps
The Dabbers
The Night Marchers
The Pheromones
Transfer

Best Hard Rock
All Leather
Archons
Benedictum
Children of Nova
Earthless
Mower
Superunloader
The Long and Short Of It

Best Club DJ
DJ Artistic
DJ Edgartronic
DJ Gabe Vega
DJ Lord Nelson
Dub Traffic Control
Ikah Love
Mario Orduno
Tribe of Kings

Best Electronic
Illuminauts
Jamuel Saxon
Marcelo Radulovich
MutantSpaceboy
Q'uest Que C'est
Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra
The Album Leaf
UBUV

Best Pop Album
Anna Troy - Wait Another Day
Fiction Family - s/t
Gayle Skidmore - Cowley Road
Get Back Loretta -Where Did You Go
Joey Harris & the Mentals - s/t
Silverleaf – s/t
The Modlins - Where Does it End?
The Predicates - Let Me Carry Your Books

Best Rock Album
Astra - The Weirding
Buckfast Superbee - Turn of the Radio Age
Citizen Band - Breaker Breaker My Heart
Irradio - I am the Horn
The Morning Riot - Carmenita
The Donkeys - Living on the Other Side
The Shamey Jays - Your Pretty Packages
Thin Man - Flush With The Moon

Best Alternative Album
The Powerchords – Think I’m Gonna
Crocodiles - Summer of Hate
Drew Andrews - Only Mirrors
Endoxi – New Blood Old Soul
Flight to Athena – City Under Fire
New Day Mile - Damn Straight
Scarlet Symphony - Foundation
The Fascination-We Can Take Care of Our Own

Best Hard Rock Album
All Leather - Hung Like A Horse
Cage - Science of Anihilation
Cattle Decapitation - The Harvest Floor
Children of Nova - The Complexity of Light
Goblin Cock - Come With Me If You Want To Live
Modern Rifles - I was Young, it was Dark
Unset - Remains of a Dream
The Long and Short Of It - CAW!

Best Hip Hop Album
afterschoolspecial – Not One for Words
Bloodstone and the Princess - Vintage Raw
Deep Rooted-D.E.E.P. R.O.O.T.E.D.
M-Double-A-L - Think and Grow Rich
Microphone Mike-Teen Idol
R.C.K. – Confidence of a King
The Breaux - Restocked
Young Mass - Best of Daygo City

Best Blues Album
Bill Magee - Good Morning Mississippi
Candye Kane - SuperHero
Charles Burton - Everybodys talkin'
Hugh Gaskins - Hughmanity
Lady Dottie & The Diamonds - s/t
Mississippi Mudsharks - Train Rolls On
Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Orchestra - On Air
Missy Anderson - s/t

Best Jazz Album
Allison Adams Tucker-Come With Me
Bradley Leighton - Soul Collective
Chuck Perrin - Down 2 Bone
Danny Green – With You In Mind
Deejham Marie – Carpet Ride
Lori Bell - The Music of Djavan
Patrick Yandall - A New Day
Peter Sprague & Kevyn Lettau - What is Enough

Best World Album
B-Side Players - Radio Afro Mexica
Danyavaad and the Shimmy Sisters - March of the Gypsies
Keltic Kharma - IKharma
Peter Pupping - Sea Journey
Quinazo-La Ofrenda
Skelpin - Rua Rojo
Stranger-Some Kinda Show
Tribal Seeds- The Harvest

Best Americana or Country Album
Berkley Hart - Las Vegas
Charlie Imes – On an Island
Eve Selis - Angels and Eagles
Folding Mr. Lincoln - Within My Reach
Gregory Page - Bird in a Cage
Joel P. West - Dust Jacket
Sara Watkins - s/t
The Farmers - Fulmination

Best Local Recording
Chad Farran - On Surfari Sessions
Chris Leyva - 27
Goddamn Electric Bill - Topics For Gossip
Happy Ron - Terribly Happy
Josh Damigo - Raw
Pocket - s/t
Rafter - Sweaty Magic
Shark Attack - Shooting Judas

Album of the Year
Anya Marina - Slow & Steady Seduction, Phase II
Crocodiles - Summer of Hate
Drew Andrews - Only Mirrors
Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
Scarlet Symphony - Foundation
Slightly Stoopid - Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid
The Donkeys – Living on the Other Side
Wavves - s/t

Best New Artist
Bad Science Fiction
Beaters
Black Mamba
Maren Parusel
Sunday Times
The Bloodflowers
The New Archaic
The Styletones

Artist of the Year
Anya Marina
Crocodiles
Delta Spirit
Jason Mraz
Scarlet Symphony
Slightly Stoopid
Switchfoot
Wavves

Song of the Year
Anya Marina - Move You
Crocodiles - I Wanna Kill
Delta Spirit - People C'mon
Jack Tempchin – It Could Have been You or Me
Jason Mraz (with Colbie Caillat) - Lucky
MC Flow - Created Equal
Scarlet Symphony-Your Blood is Mine
Slightly Stoopid - Thinkin Bout Cops

Motor City Fever.

If a time machine really existed. The dial would be set to 1969. The destination would be Detroit, Michigan. Being a Rockn Roll mercenary, having the Motor City fever is natural. So many great bands came from Michigan at that time. MC5, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper and The Dogs. Detroit was the main city to be living in for the great Rockn Roll.

On Saturday The Dogs came down to Bar Pink and play one of the greatest sets known to this rocker. From the moment they hit the stage, the transport began to Motor City. Let a small history lesson begin on Detroit.


Detroit Michigan was transformed into "Motor City" by Henry Ford. It was the melting pot for white trade union's to control the minority under the motor vehicle industry. Years of rich cultural adding allows the mix of traditional music from several cultural backgrounds. First bringing major blues singer and jazz quartets.

Over the years the genres of music that comes out of Detroit have always been great. Gospel, Pop, RnB. Motown. Of course not to forget Rockn Roll. Enough on the history lesson on Motor City.

The Dogs, forming in 1969 with Loren Molinare on Vocals and Guitar, Mary Kay on Bass on Vocals, and Ron Wood on Drums. Leaving their home time, The Dogs migrated towards Los Angeles. Their first single John Rockn Roll Sinclare was release in mid '76. With the whole country being at war, rockn roll anarchy was needed. Bands such as The Dogs had perfect RAW energy for what was to come next in our history. In '78 Slash Your Face was released. Making it into Spin Magazine's most influential punk rock songs of our time. Over the years, The Dogs opened for acts such as The Ramones, MC5, and Television.



The Dogs performed at Bar Pink July 25. From the moment the first note was strummed on Loren's guitar the transformation to Motor City was in full effect. They opened the show with Sleeze City. The energy was strong with this band. Front of the stage like always; was my rockn roll partner in crime and I. Dancing and shaking what they had while playing other songs such as Fed Up, Motor City Fever and Slash Your Face. All classic that will never go out of style. They closed their set with Dog in The Cat.


The whole show was full of raw undefinable energy. Loren, jumping in front of people going with the post modern punk sounds coming from the monitors. The bass was like a thunder and drums like a hurricane. An storm of rockn roll all over this small venue. Great crowds, great music, and an great venue equals a great night of rockn roll!

Check out the The Dogs @ http://thedogs1970.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thedetroitdogs

Playing drums with The Dogs is Tony Matteucci.

To all The Strange Rockn Rollers.....

"...You know your doing all right! So hold on to Each other, So Hold on tonight! "
The crowd sings along; this being the staple song on where the band got their names. Midnight Radio.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a John Cameron Mitchell stage show gone film. The fictional East German Rock band that is fronted by a transgender goes off trying to follow rock icon Tommy Gnosis who is playing an adjoining venue through out the tour. This movie sets a great message aside for everyone. Finding your other half. Either male or female. Not allowing people to take a piece of you with out getting anything in return; then finding out the the good stuff is really inside you.


Midnight Radio did a great performance. Doing small quotes and songs that were featured in the film.Songs such as "Angry Inch," which got the crowd going in a frenzy. "Sugar Daddy" a mellow almost western song about founding a man to bring the sweets home. Of course who can forget their staple song "Midnight Radio."

If they were not covering songs from the film. They would go into songs that influenced Stephen Trask. Songs by such artist like Lou Reed, David Bowie, and T.Rex. Also covering bands like Kiss and Black Sabbath. Each song got the crowd riled up for singing along and dancing to a great performance. This San Diego Tribute band also played Pride on the streets of Hillcrest.

The one down fall about Midnight radio was the costumes that were worn by the lead singer acting as "Hedwig." His outfits were more Bowie-esque than Hedwig. As the change of outfits would appear; I would stand in the front shaking my head and saying to myself "Hedwig wouldn't wear that outfit." Other than that the show was amazing. No doubt about it; this is a wonderful tribute band to watch. Especially if you are a Hedwig and The Angry Inch fan.

There Ain't No Diamonds on this Road!

Its been quite a long road for these boys. Long dry desert winds during their travels as rockers. As the coyotes cry in the night, so does The Desert Diamonds for music. The Desert Diamonds have been on a road of music stardom for a while. Not saying, they are looking to be the next big MTV band. However, their following is forever growing.

The years have been rough on Desert Diamonds. It started around the winter of '06 -spring of '07. 5 friends got together and started playing rockn roll. Coming from a punk rock background it would be no surprise that these men would join together to start an exceptional band. The five man band would feature the vocals of Gabe Cross, the stunning guitar of Dusty Wheeler, the amazing walking bass lines of Matt Wick and the stylish drum beating of Andrew Jones.



With their first self titled EP that came out at the end of 'o8 Desert Diamonds started the different fad of music in San Diego. This would be the album to shape shift their music for all to hear. The dynamic style of Rock and Soul; makes it more of a southern 70's rock band than just some modern kicks. Songs like "Dust and Sand," and "That Girl" which brings some rockn guitar riffs and the explosion of vocals. Others such as "Homesick Shoes" and "Misty Morning," has laid down the track of amazing bass solos with backing drums. "Red Liddy" is a soulful southern song that brings the album to an end.

These boys know how to make any night Epic. Thanks also to the coyotes that follow them through the desert these boys will never be lost in the heat. You can always catch Desert Diamonds playing down The Strips. For The Strip is their home land. There is a new album coming out soon. Once that is in my hands; It will be up for a review and a update on this band.


Desert Diamonds will be playing again Aug 12 @ U31 with Grass Heat. This is an early show so get their early! For more information go to their myspace.com

And the night cost me 4 dollars....

It's Avalon Tattoo's 20th Anniversary party at The Casbah. Good times are ahead. The doors open 7pm. Four Amazing bands were playing. The Deere Johns, Bartenders Bible, Old Man Markley and The Tighten Ups.

I went in with The Tighten Ups' lead singer Laura Jane. From there on the fun times arrived. The Deere Johns were in the middle of their set. A great set to be said. Stephen Rey was doing what he knows best. Playing the guitar and singing his heart out for all the audience to dance to. I, of course start my night by hanging out with the great artist that did my chest tattoo, while sipping on a PBR tallboy. Smoking cigarettes in the mid section patio is the highlight of Casbah. You can take a gander at the bands and have a smoke in your hand, while sipping on your drink.

I look inside since the Deere Johns are done playing, Bartenders Bible is now setting up gear. I look in and "Whoa where is their drummer, bass player, and their female singer?" Aparently the Deere Johns played rhythm section for Bartenders bible. I have seen these guys many times. Matthew Strachota did some of the best singing I have heard in years! I can honestly say he saved the set for Bartenders Bible. Without Arabella Harrison, the vocals were a bit off. However; the three part harmony that is Matthew, Arabella, and Jason sometimes isnt enough for this twang of a band. As this band is insturmentally amazing. This night Matthew saved the band from a horrible show.


Taking a break from swaying to the music of Bartenders Bible with Andy Robillard. I went for another PBR at the bar. Again the band had ended and I went to the back bar to say hello to the bartender. Their was a whole set up of free food. Pulled Pork, BBQ beef Fruit Salad, cheese and meat plate, macn cheese with jalapenos. I ate just a bit. The macn cheese was amazing. Hanging out with me at the Atari Lounge while i ate and drank my awesome drink was David Francis from the After Party. While Old Man Markely got ready on stage went around the bar making my rounds of "hellos and how are you's?" Hanging out with Stephen Rey from Deere Johns' taking shots of Wild Turkey and Jameson. We started talking business, as in he needs a photographer for his band. ( Just putting it out there for all you photographers) Then went on my merry way back to the stage as Old Man Markely began their set.


I couldnt believe the amount of people that can fit on a Casbah Stage. Old Man Markely is a bluegrass band from Los Angeles. If you havent checked them out you must do so quickly. Throught out ever set Avalon Tattoo was raffeling out prices. Congrats to all the winners. Its time to go for another shot of Jami, this time with Lead Singer Laura Jane from Tighten Ups. She likes Hornitos and of course my poision is Jameson. We do our thing, then go back to the outside where I light up another smoke. Start talking to more people. Outside was a dear friend of mine Ryan who works for Tower Bar and Riveria Club. As I catching up, Mick from Tower Bar Shows up. What a Nice surprise. After a quick chat with him. The rest of the night was Matthew Wick from Desert Diamonds and myself. Great friends and great times.

At this time the Tighten Ups are setting up. Get my spot ready in the front stage. Now im ready for some good dancing and some great soul and funk to keep my shoes moving. More shots, More PBR and a brand new pack of smokes. I get back to the front of the stage with I spent some time dancing with David Francis and Matthew Wick. Then before the set ended I went outside to have one last smoke and laying on my keepers sholder.

What an amazing show, 4 great bands. The Rockn Roll Family was there with each other. Taking care of one another. Casbah, thanks for being such a great venue for Music Mercenaries such as myself. This is truly a HOME for this very united family. To top it off the whole night cost me four bucks! (or i think....)