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!  

The Rivals of Rockn Roll!

If there was a band that takes over where The Rolling Stones left off after Exile on Main Street.  You would know it must have come from a city made of great talent. San Diego has been stirring the scene with new upcoming acts.  Midnight Rivals have arrived.


The rock gods answered some prayers. A high energy band that not only brings it, but has the a great front man to prove that they can bring it!  Have you ever seen Lucy's Fur Coat?  I have.  Ever heard stories about Charlie and his antics on stage?  I have heard and seen way to many to write about it while keeping this sweet and short.  The line up of the band is :Charlie: vocals (Lucy's Fur Coat) Mark: drums (Convoy and Louis XIV) Mike: Guitar  (Lucy's Fur Coat) Morgan: Guitar (The Front) Pete: Bass (Petey X of Rocket from the Crypt).  If you are looking for a band that can make you dance, shake and shimmy in your shoes while tossing back a few cold ones then this is it.  Surprisingly enough I have seen almost all the show they have played and worked one show as their merch girl.  Seeing these guys come from amazing bands to start a new one always makes me giddy inside.  


The difference between a rock band and a rockn roll band is based solely on their influences.  The Midnight Rivals are pretty much an example of a modern Rockn Roll band.  They do not have gimmicks or fancy lighting, no tricks up their sleeves.  On the contrary they have been getting on stage and just plain rockin out.  Making this easy to dance and listen to.  Bands that produce music that can be played almost anywhere (shower, while cooking, deserted on an island, stranded during a flat on the highway) are hard to come by.  MR composes music that can be played in any situation


With great musicians the last thing you need is creative differences. In their music you can hear a bit of Rolling Stones, Faces, The Who and mainly anything rock coming out of '64-78. With the song writing talent of Morgan Smith.  It is easy to channel what he believes his band mates might be able to grind a stone towards a great tune.   The combination of Charlie and Morgan is what makes the process of writing music with the band almost expediental.  The way a song can be engraved into the writers head and then brought out with different ideas and tuning that wasn't thought during the initial writing process.  


As of late they have been recording a new full length with Brian Karscig (Louis XIV, Convoy, Nervous Wreckords) producing the eleven track album.   When it comes to working with Brian, Morgan has mentioned "that it is like working with Dr. Awesome."  Making sure that the band is recording to its full potential prior to moving on to its next song or track for that matter.   After a few days in the studio, MR might have gotten their sound down.  Their record should be coming out with in the months to come.  Keep an eye out for that.  


Till then their next show is April 17th at The Ruby Room (next Saturday) with Lessons from Zeke, Trip to Dover and SilentLune.  

Happy New Years! and Weekend Picks!

I might be a day late however, I still want to wish everyone a Happy New Years.  Post maybe a little scattered since the disappearance of my computer while  being at Casbah.  This will not stop me from writing and letting everyone know the awesome things happening.


I spent New Years with the Zeros.  Doing merch of course but still fun!  Here are my weekend Picks!  Since there really isnt much going on this week it seems like Casbah is kicking off their 21st birthday month into a frenzy of shows!  Which start tonight! 


Jan 2. 
The Zeros, The Choke, The Beaters @ Casbah 


Jan 3
Archons, Lord Howler, Of the Horizon@ Casbah


Jan 4
Addiquit, Microphone Mike, D-Pain, Sex Mannequin and the DEBUT of Grammatical B @ Casbah


Jan 5
Boyscout, Drug Wars, Knives! @ Casbah


Jan 6
The Long and Short of It, Spider Fever, Life Deposits @ Casbah
The Blokes (Irish folk/punk!)  @ The Ruby Room

Picks of the Weekend! Where to go.. and Whats Worth Watching!

It's a week before X-mas and what did you ask Santa Baby for?  A new pair of wheels?  Maybe some new guitar strings to pluck around with.  A very nice man in nothing but a bow under your tree.  I asked my Santa dear to bring me a good amount of Rockn Roll and right now he is delivering it.   Its one holiday party after another.  I actually end up dressing up during the holidays.  It makes me feel festive! 


So this weekend we are going to dress up the strips with great shows one after another.  Here are your weekend picks!  


Friday Dec 18th
Gary Shuffler's Birthday Extravaganza - Queenly, Cats from Japan, D Pain @ Casbah
Bobby Fantasy / Eliza Rickman / Asa Ransom / Dj Cota-pop
The Debonaires, The Amalgamated, Fire Corner Sound System @ Radio Room
John Wayne Gacy Daycare   @ Soda Bar




Saturday Dec 19th
Midnight Radio @ The Ruby Room (ill be here.  Hedwig and the Angry Inch cover band)
Viva Christmas! El Vez, Los Straitjackets and the Lovely Elvettes @ Casbah
Apes of Wrath, ASA Ransom, Sunday Times, Roxy Jones  @ Soda Bar


Sunday Dec 20th
Casbah Christmas Party - Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, The Styletones @ Casbah
Nautical Disaster and Behind The Wagon Cd-Release Party with guests Ladyfingers @ Bar Pink


Monday Dec 21st
Anti Monday League Presents , Downs Family, C.L.A. - Steve Poltz, Dennis Borlek, Sam Chammas, Sharon Daddi - Behind the Wagon @ Casbah
Ransom Blues Band@ Ruby Room




Now Read set Lets get to Rock and Rolling..... Happy Holidays From RRNLSG!

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

Ho HO HO....

Yeah Its that time of the year .. Lets all get merry and cheerful!  Yes! Gifts, Merry, life, people still being assholes... Yes its true people never change even during the holidays.  They just put a smile on their face and go on with their usual merry life.  While your putting up Christmas lights, wrapping up those gifts, if your like me then sending your care packages to your mates across the miles and seas... While you Kids are trying to figure out what cool scarf to wear with your winter jacket,  I will list off the upcoming Shows you should NOT miss for the weekend!  Starting with Tonight! 

Dec 3 2009 

• Peewee Moore, Bill Cardinal, Black Sheep Reunion, Shaun T. Morgan @ Radio Room
• Gortuary/ Pathology/ Deadly Remains/Shattered Eyes/Diabolical Remains @ Ruby Room
• The Fresh and Onlys w/ Woven Bones and DJ Mario Orduno @ Bar Pink
•  Dirty Legs, Hocus @ Soda Bar
•  The Canton Mudders, Morning on Fire, Tiny Frank @ Tin Can Ale HOuse

Fri 04     

• Baroness, Earthless, Iron Age, Brainticket DJ's and guests  @ Casbah
• The Crashing Marbles, The Howls, The Attack, Desert Diamonds @ Beauty Bar
• Rockabilly Shakeout FEAT: Dawn Shipley &The Sharp Shooters; Pachuco Jose; Floyd Burney & The Ship Shapers @ Ruby Room
• Tori Roze and the Hot Mess, Bryan Bangerter, Meaghan Maples @ Tin Can Ale House

Sat 05

• Cold Cave, Nite Jewel, Ale Mania @Casbah
• Dirty Santas, The Aversions(Canada), End Of Power @ Radio Room
•  Lemon Sun, Maren Parusel, Lion Cut, The New Assembly @ Soda Bar
•  Modern Rifles, Swim Party, Lands On Fire @ Tin Can Ale House
•  

Sun 06

• An Evening With Stellastarr and Transfer @ Casbah
• 1st night of Gregory Page residency. @ Beauty Bar
• Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Prom feat. Linnzi Zaorski and The Cheap Leis @Bar Pink

Any questions!  hope to see ya there! 

HALLOWEEN! Something Worth Watching.

Its a few days prior to Halloween.  Many people are freaking out trying to get their outfits ready.  I myself have not gotten an outfit since i will be working all weekend.  Sometimes being a workaholic has its drawbacks.  This holiday being one of them.   IF I wasnt working then I would recommend you go to these following shows.  By The Way just cause im not going to be there doesnt mean that I dont want you guys to attend! 

Friday Oct 30th (Hallos Eve)
Le Loup, Cuckoo Chaos, Lyon Crowns @ Casbah

Girl In A Coma w/ Normandie @ Bar Pink

Monsters from Mars, Behind The Wagon, Beta Lion

Saturday Oct 31 (Halloween)
The Night Marchers, The Creepy Creeps, Black Whales, Spider Fever in the Atari Lounge @ Casbah

Lion Cut, The Yiffs, Microphone Mike, Bunky @ Soda Bar

Halloween Freakshow! Burlesque, Costume Contest! @ Ruby Room

Nov 1st (Day of the Dead)
RRNLSG Show : Bill Cardinal & The Canyon Band, Gayle Skidmore, Vanja James 

I Will see you all This weekend!

RANTS of a writer...Where did you all go?

Seems like the music scene in San Diego is taking a turn for the worst.  I dont want to blame anyone.  Well maybe promoters, the club owners, the bands and the audience; at this point even music writers/bloggers/reviewers.   Everyone in the music business in San Diego is to blame.

I have been attending shows and I keep asking myself:   "Are Bands Really Overexposing themselves? Or is the Economy just that shitty that attendance is so low, even at free shows?"   or another question I have been trying to figure out; "WHY!? OH DEAR GOD, WHY is the same line up with the same band at the same venue being done again?"  Don't get me wrong I love watching the same bands over and over.  However seeing the same bands in the same venue for 10 to nothing bucks is getting a little boring! Something about promoters and bands double booking each other hasn't really stopped the over exposure going on in the nine venues along the strips.  North County Bands really don't play here and and touring acts are a hit or miss.  

Sunday night the line up was great The Growlers (OC), The Dabbers (SD), and Kurt Vile and the Violators (PA).  Great line-up.  The Growlers are one of my new favorite bands from OC. The Dabbers are just an awesome 2 piece; drums and bass.    The whole time I was there; I kept wondering to myself why there was no one at the Casbah.  The line up was great.  Where are all the bodies that normally come out to the shows to check out the music and be known in the scene. No Rosey, No Seth, No Naj, NO one was there so so sad! By the end of the show I was able to count more people reading my blog then going to the shows.  75 people total including bandmates and employees of the venue.  

I understand its a Sunday night, but with excellent line ups like this one; there should be no reason why people arent coming out.  Oh wait; could it be that some people refuse to pay 10 bucks?  Not to mention the drink factor, the cab fare.  Your total cost of the night might end up being 60 bucks?  For that price some people would rather grab a bottle of liquor and pay for a big venue show.  Not very fun.  When you have 2000+people in one place and the band looks like 2 inches large from where your standing.... 

Looking at all the listings around town.  Have you ever noticed the same line ups with the same bands.  Long and Short of It with Archons.  Old In Out with Apes of Wrath.  The Widows at Tower all the time.  I know that the promoters here have a good ear for booking shows.  I ask again why oh dear god why the same fucken line up?  Can we please get a little creative?  I just got the invite for the new Rumble SD.  Guess what.  Its Apes of Wrath and Old In Out again.  I love those bands.  But the SAME line up?  Although its a free show, there is a good chance I might not show up and call it an early night.  Either too many promoters just booking their friends or people trying to suckle the very last of the music tit in San Diego.  Its getting dry.

I had a chance to talk to a few artist about why they dont support the venues or the bands coming in.  It came down to a few things, PAY TO PLAY, the venue wont book us so we wont support it; my favorite i only support free.  Two out of three are null excuses.  Stop being a baby about your situation and support your scene.  In the mid to late nineties bands were always supporting each other.  This whole "I am better than you attitude needs to stop!"  Bands are doing the same thing, so why not support each other?  Maybe if a few bands support the other bands and it kept going back and fourth the money made at shows would actually be spread around.  Some of us call it "Spreading The Love."  

PAY TO PLAY- This is basically what most of the bands do.  Bands get booked.  It is their responsibility to make flyers and posters.  Drive around and put them in bars, record shops, bathroom stalls, and you name it.  If your an out of town band then you have to pay for shipping of the posters and flyers.  Lets do a calculation here 40 bucks for posters and flyers, 40 bucks for driving around the damn city to promote, 2-4 hours of their time promoting online. Now lets not forget the gas between their space to the venue.  That just cost the band 80-100 dollars.  The day of the show they made 50 bucks.  Now split that between all the bandmates.  They just lost anywhere between 50-80 bucks.  This band just PAID TO PLAY.   If you can only see me nodding my head right now.  

San Diego and all the other Towns around Please Please do something to fix this situation.  Other writers wont mention it, However I will.  I like to call it like I see it!

Till the next show review or listing

Thanks for Reading Rockn' Roll Never Looked So Good

-Bullet McKenzie

Lets Tighten It Up!

With tribute bands always forming, its hard to say which one is good and which one isn't. When it comes to soul and funk you can always count on The Tighten Ups to deliver the goods! Lead Singer Laura Jane has pipes like no other front woman in San Diego. Lets not get this mixed up with cover band Lady Dottie and the Diamonds. Those Kats have a genre of their own.

The Tighten Ups is a band of transforming your classic soul songs into something of their own. With a few originals, this band can tear up the club. Playing gigs from North County to the South Bay. East County all the way back to Casbah. There is no stopping them. This year they were nominated for Best Cover or Tribute Band for the 2009 San Diego Music Awards. The SDMA will be held at the Viejas Concerts in the Park Sept 10th.

The Tighten Ups formed in the fall of '07 as Tell Mama, playing their first gig was The Tower Bar. Amazing place for the band to start off. From there they changed their name to The Tighten Ups and has been climbing the music ladder and enjoying every step of the way! The line up started up with Laura Jane on pips, Jerry on Bass, Topher on Sax, Bob on trumpet. With guest drummers always popping in and out such as Morgan Young, Jake Najor, Andy Robillard, and T-bone. The Tighten Ups have finally found a drummer that fits their niche RS. As well as constantly looking for drummers, a guitarist was in hand. Gabe was a perfect mesh for this band. As for the final touch to this great band, a trombone player. This band was set to conquer the scene one funk and soul show at a time.

Songs covered range from Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, Etta James and many many artist from the past! I hope you didnt forget to vote The Tighten Ups SDMA!!

Check out The Tighten Ups on Sept 11 @ Ruby Room show starts at 9pm!

Shows you should NOT miss Aug 15-Aug 31

Mid -August is here. Does this mean the summer is almost over? Maybe. However, the great shows wont stop. The on going music festivals were amazing. NPMT, CHMT, City Fest, and of course more to come! Don't forget that Street Scene and Adams Ave. Street Fair is right around the corner. From now on the nights will only get hot and sticky. So I recommend grabbing a great beer with great friends,because this can only get better; right? Right! To prove it here is a list of great shows to check out the next following weeks.

Aug 15

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

Aug 16th

• Pissed Jeans, Rats Eyes, Bumbklaat@ Casbah
• Desert Heir, Random Orbits(WA @ The Radio Room
• DUBSTEP w/ Cloak and Dagger, Jason, and more @ Ruby Room

Aug 17

• The Tighten Ups @ Ruby Room
• The Styletones @ Bar Pink
• Prima Donna, The Boats!(Sacramento), The Pranks, The Glossiness @ The Radio Room
• Mkng Frndz, Partyline, Shebeast@ Soda Bar

Aug 18

• Christmas Island, Fergus & Geronimo, Teenage Cool Kids @ Soda Bar
• The Secret Seven, The Lonely H, Charles Musket @ Casbah

Aug 19th

• Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit, The Romany Rye and guests @ Casbah
• NOBODY WAVE, PRETEND, VOLTS, LANTERNS @ Radio Room
• Secret Show! Headliner Announced Night Of Event @ Ruby Room

Aug 20

• Sic Waiting, Save Amos, Black Sails Western Shores(Bakersfield @ The Radio Room
• As Tall As Lions, Lanterns and The Color Of Glass@ Casbah

Aug 21

• Powerchords (7" release), Atoms, Casey and Brian@ Soda Bar
• Yesterday Magazine Launch Party! Featuring:
• Get Back Loretta / Crash Encore / The Silent Comedy / Burning of Rome / Austin James Band / Long Live Logos- 6 Bands! Starts at 9pm sharp! @ Ruby Room (<- ill be there)
• Days Of Anomie, Synesthetic, Someday Assassin, Leisuresuit @ The Radio Room

Aug 22

• Zeros, The Dabbers, The Old In Out (ill be selling Zero’s Merch Come say hello)
• Tijuana Panthers @ Soda Bar
• Ramona Falls w/ Silver Darling@ Bar Pink
• Mexico City Rollers, The Old In Out, Apes of Wrath @ Tower Bar

Aug 23 Only ***One Show Matters This Night**

• Goin' Fishin' - a fundraiser for Mark Johnson - Steve Poltz and the Cynics, MEX, Midnight Rivals, a.m.vibe, Black Hondo + Bartenders Bible in the Atari Lounge + DJ Gary Shuffler, El Torito y mas!!!

Aug 24

• Echo Revolution, The New Up, Jalopy Gods @ Radio Room
• Anti Monday League Presents Built to Spill, The Prids and guests @ Casbah SOLD OUT!!!

Aug 25

• QQC, THE PRIDS, BESTIAL MOUTHS @ Radio Room
• Six Organs of Admittance, Master Musicians of Bukake@ Casbah

Aug 26

• aces & eights(boise), danger stranger(anaheim), bust(chicago), nuclear tomorrow@ Radio Room
• The Dirtbombs, The Sermon, The Death Eaters@ Casbah

Aug 27

• Mannequin Men w/ Davila 666, and Slab City @ Bar Pink
• The Warlocks, The Morning After Girls, Gliss @ Casbah

Aug 28

• Cash'd Out, Bill Cardinal @ Casbah
• Normandie @ Bar Pink

Aug 29

• Offical Street Scene After Party - No Age, Crocodiles, Wavves, PENS, Grafitti Island @ Casbah
• Sunday Times, Big Whup @ Soda Bar
• F.U.Z.Z. CD Release Party + guests TBA @ Ruby Room

Aug 30th

• The Box Elders w/ The Anasazis@ Bar Pink
• Ronnie No Good, Unruly Bangs, Good Morning Valentine @ Soda Bar
• CHEWING PICS!, NEIGHBORHOOD BULLYS,@ Radio Room
• The Local 94/9 Presents A FREE SHOW - LIVE broadcast of The Local 94/9, Free food from Lucha Libre Taco Shop - The Gift/Curse, Mutantspaceboy, John Meeks @ Casbah

Aug 31

• Anti Monday League Presents Gary Wilson, James Pants, Ikah Love @ Casbah

check your local listing for change of schedule.

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

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

Upcoming Shows you Should NOTmiss! July 16-July 31!

Have you noticed the change of temperature? It truly is summer here in San Diego. Still so many nights of heat can only mean one thing! Ice cream, water gun fights, slip and slides and ice block racing and of course the beach. The day is filled with friends and family; work days and free weekends of travel and leisure. What about shows? I got your calendar right here folks.


Shows not to miss.

July 16th

• The Donnas, Nico Vega, Woah Hunx and guests @Casbah
• SDDAILEDIN.com : Team Abraham / Parson Redheads / Ryan Blue @Ruby Rom
• Black Carl, Yellow Minute, Holy Rolling Empire, Leisuresuit @ Soda bar
• Get Back Loretta w/Cuckoo Chaos @ Bar Pink
• Wah-Wah Exit Wound(Seattle @ The Radio Room

July 17th

• Mad Caddies, Social Green, Self Made Men and DJ's - Boss Selector Skarina, Judge Jesse, and DJ Duke Duel @ Casbah
• Hedwig and the Angry Inch Tribute@Ruby Room
• The Dirty Legs, The Bombpops, Revenge Club, The Glossines @ The Radio Room

July 18th

• Team Abraham, The Spires, Lights On @ Soda Bar
• Bartenders Bible with old man hands and paulo @ Tin Can Ale House
• Desert Diamonds w/ Black Hollies @ Beauty Bar
  

July 19th

• MEN (former Le Tigre), Addiquit, and Mermaid @ Casbah
• lauren de rose / mc flow / Kera and the Lesbians @ Ruby Room
• St. St., One Trick Pony @ Soda Bar
• Night Horse @ Bar Pink

July 20th

• Meth Teeth, X-Mas Island, Fag Cop @Soda Bar
• Lady Dottie and the Diamonds @ U-31

July 21st

• Girl in a Coma, Ms. Derringer, Killola @ Casbah

July 22nd

• the Perry Edwards / Dead Feather Moon / dakotafish @ Ruby Room
• Zodiac Death Valley, Doves and Desperados @ Soda Bar
• Linnzi Zaorski @ Bar Pink

July 23rd

• The Old In Out w/ Branden Daniel & Everybody Gets Laid @ Bar Pink
• Starlight Mints, JP Inc (formerly Pleaseeasaur), Get Back Loretta@ Casbah

July 24th

• Castiotone for the Painfully Alone, Concern, The Dabbers, Trashcan Fires @ Casbah
• Normandie @ Bar Pink
• Spirit Photography, BRAAIINS!!, XYX (mexico), Blue Jungle @ Soda Bar
• The Chop Tops, The Strikers, Knock Em Stiff, The Watchmen @ Radio Room

July 25th

• The Dogs w/Stab City, and Corvo Radio @ Bar Pink

July 26th

• Misc. Ailments, One I Red @ The Radio Room
• Publicists, The Bloodflowers, Geezer, The Cankles and The Canton Mudders in the Atari Lounge@ Casbah
• Flattbush / Upsilon Acrux / The Binges / Free the Robots DJs @ Ruby Room
• Ribbons (nyc), Volts, Street of Little Girls, Knives! @ Soda Bar
• The Tighten Ups w/ Big Jugs and Trophy Wife @ Bar Pink

July 27th

• Lion Cut @ Ruby Room
• The Handsome Family, Daniel Knox@ Casbah

July 28th

• Trashcan Sinatras, Brookville @ Casbah
• Turkish Techno, Rational Anthem(Florida @ The Radio Room
• Dry River Yacht Club, Greg Gibson, Justin J Rodriguez @ Soda Bar

July 29th

• Tijuana Panthers, Gestapo Kahzi @ Soda Bar
• THE WOBBLIES w/ dj heather hardcore @ Radio Room

• The Hard to Get (LA) @ Ruby Room
• Castanets, M.A. Turner, Little White Teeth@ Casbah

July 30th

• Stellastarr, Wild Light, Mason Proper @ Casbah
• Drug Wars w/ Slang Chickens @ Bar Pink

July 31st

• A Scribe Amidst the Lions, Secret Seven@ Radio Room
• Transfer, Band of Skulls, Apes of Wrath and guests @ Casbah

Alright kids, check out these shows and go support your local music scene!

City Boy Lemon

Named after a dog named George, a dog house named Hotel George. Then with a sad last note when the dog was ran over, became Hotel St. George; lead singer Matt Binder takes this pop rock band for a tour of music freedom and the perfect melody that is City Boy Lemon. Forming in the fall of '07, Hotel St. George has been making nothing but great news and reviews.

In a city that normally sleeps at 4 am. A soundtrack to your every night movement should be made. In the ever-lasting playlist created by people in San Diego; this new record should be on there. City Boy Lemon takes its flash back fashion of pop/glam rock and creates a dance mix of great songs. Binders, Bowie-esque sound brings new hope in the change of music for the better. With great backing musicians Brian Reily (guitar, keyboard, vocals), Erik Visnyak (bass, vocals), Simon Leader (drums). This being their third proper release, this album takes on a new type of sound for HSG.

Yippee!!! self released album in '08 was a mere pop album, with dancing hits such as "Watch Out/It's the Blues." Followed by shows in San Diego and Los Angeles. It's not a surprise that within months of forming they were opening acts for San Diego's own Louie XVI at the annual Karl Strauss Brew at the Beach fest. The simplicity of this album has kept people wondering whats next.

Hundreds and Thousands being the second release for HSG was a not as great but decent enough to get some good reviews. Lyrically speaking it was a great album, but lack the same energy that Yippee!!! showed. Finally the summer of '09 brings what could be the next best thing out of San Diego. City Boy Lemon.


This album is one of best rock album to come out this summer in San Diego. The lack of pop and the interchanging* of instruments has kept me listening to this album on repeat for the past few days. Lets just say eight out of the ten tracks are great. The other two are ones I can do with skipping them. "All The Dancing Stars," would happen to be a favorite tune off this album. "All The Dancing Stars," Also appeared on a compilation mixed cd for Foundtrack "Hips and Hair Mix Tape Vol 1." Other great songs on City Boy Lemon are "Welcome to the Sun" and their self titled "City Boy Lemon." Each song brings on their own take on rock. With great guitar gut punching riff, heavy drums and endless bass lines, makes the sound that all together gets really better as this album progress towards the end. You can say that HSG brings what other bands lack. Realistic dance rock tunes. You can dance to anything, however, HSG is not for the mere '80's rocker. However, more for music enthusiast that love to listen to an album that jumps all over the place.

One way to sum this; if The Libertines and The Stranglers had a child they would call it Hotel St. George.

August 13th is the release of City Boy Lemon, on vinyl only. They will be playing the Casbah August 13th with Writer, Swim Party and Intricate Machines.



photography by Michael Klayman

*Interchanging of instruments can also be seen in their live shows.

Upcoming Shows you Should NOTmiss! July 1-July 15!

It is official summer is here. Sun is bright outside with a nice cool breeze. Its the perfect San Diego weather. The beach water has finally warmed up and the surf couldn't fail you now. Your days have been filled with BBQs, friends, family, and ice cold beer.

If you havent been to the County Fair this year than you missed out on some great bands. Fried food, Carnival Rides and the Music Mania theme they have this year. Check out the pictures i took from just one night. On stage that day was Geezer, The Guess Who and The "Original" Parliament.


Allow me to fill your nights with great Rockn Roll Shows. This next shows are not to be missed! So I will see you at one or all of these shows coming up!

July 1

• Amazing Baby, Long Live Logos, The Color Of Glass and guests@Cabsah
• The Knives / Gran Sasso / The Displaced / @ Ruby Room
• Volts, The Zion Laser Strike, Census @ The Radio Room

July 2

• Death Eaters, Werewolves, Soft Black, the Old In Out in the Atari Lounge @ Casbah
• The long and short of it, Mount Vicious(SF), Archons, @ The Radio Room
• Shawn Rohlf & The Buskers w/ The Keys @ Bar Pink

July 3rd

• Ded Pigeons, The Dabbers, Eliza Rickman, The Kris Special@Soda Bar
• Ricksha, Sea Pansy @ The Radio Room
• Thin Man w/ The Pant Hoots @ Bar Pink
• the stone foxes / Anna Troy / Tenderbox @ Ruby Room

July 4th

• 4th of july BBQ AND GARAGE SALE! KNOCK EM STIFF, NORTHERN TOWNS @ Radio Room

July 5th

• Pigeon Religion, High Castle, 60 Watt Kid@ Soda Bar
• Drew Andrews / Elisa Ferrari / Joanie Mendenhall@ Ruby Room
• Avalon Tattoo 20 Year Anniversary Party - , The Deere Johns, Old Man Markley, The Tighten Ups and guests@ Casbah

July 6th

• The Bugs w/ The Secretions @ Bar Pink

July 7th

• Princeton, WestFire and Jamuel Saxon@ Casbah

July 8th

• Maren Parusel, Steve Carson Band, Royal Campaign @ Casbah
• desert diamonds w/dj barnesey@ Radio Room

July 9th

• Dirty Projectors, Rafter @ Casbah

July 10th

• Apes of Wrath w/ The Bloody Hollies @ Bar Pink
• Welcome Back show" Breaker Breaker One Niner, Partners in 818(AZ @ The Radio Room

July 11th

• Single Screen Records Showcase@ Soda Bar
• Rumble:SD - Apes of Wrath, Lights On, DJ Gabe Vega @ Casbah

July 12th

• Dramady, The Glossines, Bunky@ Soda Bar

July 15th

• The Germs, Assemble the Skyline and guests @ Casbah
• Nautical Disaster / Blue Million Miles / High Rolling Loners@ Ruby Room
• the boils & knock ’em stiff w/dj barnesey @ Radio Room

Upcoming Shows you Should NEVER miss!

Being a person around town makes it hard to keep track of all the good music in the Strips. This past month I have seen over 10 show in one week (every week). Do you know how hard it is to go to that many shows when there is only 7 days in one week? Mexican rock bands at Ruby Room, Hotel St. George at Tin Can Ale House, Holy Fuck and the Crocodilles at Casbah. Pretty sure you saw me there. 'Cause I saw you there!

Its all about time management. Excellent time management allows you to catch so many excellent shows. Please allow me to tell you how you should manage your rockn roll time. Here is a list of shows you shouldn't miss for the next few days.


Jun 20 2009

• Early show 8pm: FOUND Magazine Denim & Diamonds Tour/The Watson Twins @ 8pm Ruby Room
• Later show 10pm: Ghost Bird / Republic of Letters - 2-for-1 come early see both! @ 10pm @ Ruby Room
• Fing, Dead Wasps, Music For Animals @ Soda Bar

June 21

• Thee Headliners (PDX)/ The Touchies / Evervess / TBA @ Ruby Room
• Eclipse 79, Snake Babies, Adams and Eves @ Soda Bar
• Dinosaur Jr., Earthless SOLD OUT!!! 3pm matinee show @ Casbah
• The Queers, The Mansfields, Atom Age, The Glossines @ Casbah

June 22

• Spirit Photography, Ale Mania, Blue Jungle @ Soda Bar
• Roxy Jones w/ Minmae and DJ Red October @ Bar Pink

June 23

• Firethorn, The Gift/Curse and guests @ Casbah
• Echoes of Harpers Ferry, Reverse The Curse @ The Radio Room

June 24

• Black Cherry Group Pres: F Bombers / Immovable Objects / 1989 / Eternal @Ruby Room
• The Moviegoers, Roosevelt and guests @ Casbah
• Bill Cardinal, Whiskey Wisetales w/dj heather hardcore @ The Radio Room

Jun 25 2009

• The Zeros @ Bar Pink

Jun 26 2009

• Get Back Loretta CD Release, Crash Encore, Writer @ Casbah
• Woven Bones, Sunday Times @Soda Bar
• Royal Campaign w/Normandie @ Bar Pink
• Hard Fall Hearts, Voodoo Swing(AZ), The Bleeding Irish @ The Radio Room

Jun 27 2009

• early show - 6:30pm - A.A. Bondy and guest @ Casbah
• late show 9:30 Swim Party, Cuckoo Chaos, Gray GhostsTwo Sheds (in the atari lounge)- @ Casbah
• The Choke(nyc), The Mice @ Soda Bar

June 28th

• The Naughty Things(members from Calabrese), Fuck Yeah!! @ The Radio Room
• Drew Andrews w/ Soy Un Caballo @ Bar Pink
• Charity Paws for Cures Fundraiser with DJ Icaro 4pm @ Ruby Room
• Satan Dance Party / Dead Ponies (LA) / Lilith Velkor / Autotonic 8pm @ Ruby Room

Jun 29 2009

• She Rides, What I Did @ The Radio Room
• Anti Monday League and 91X presents the Next Big Thing with Ida Maria @ Casbah

Jun 30 2009

• Black Skies(North Carolina) @ Radio Room
• John Vanderslice and The Tallest Man on Earth @ Casbah