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.

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

A Place to Bury a Band!

Another Thursday night and here I am back at the world famous Casbah. This time to check out All The Saints, Darker My Love, and A place to Bury Strangers. From what I keep hearing A Place to Bury Strangers is going to bring it! Well they brought it alright. However, It wasn't what I expected.

Normally my Thursday nights are based upon my best friend working that night or not. If he is then im there hanging out with him. I have been hearing about All the Saints and Darker My Love as bands to check out. A Place to Bury Strangers not so much. Which is totally okay.

When arriving at the Casbah, All The Saints had already finished their set. I was a little disappointed; however, a motorcycle ride to Oceanside was needed that day. Yes I do ride motorcycles. And NO it doesn't make me hardcore. It puts me at ease kinda of like a quick meditation. ANYWAYS, back to the review of the show!

The All The Saints, the band I missed; are a psychedelic rock band from the mid-south. Does that make sense? The Southern Part of the Midwest. Very garage like with experimental waa waa's unto their beat. I bet they were good live.

DARKER MY LOVE. Now that was the band that brought it! Their rocking good melodic tunes kept me moving and grooving the entire set. The adorable 5 piece band from LA, California. Their music is like a cross between 80's synth-rock with a class of garage. Just imagine, BRMC, The Pretty Things, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre in a pinata. When busted open Darker My Love was the sweet treats inside. What a sweet sweet treat I would have to say.

After Darker My Love, I was ready for the next rocking surprise. Well, it was indeed a surprise when I realized holy shit your band is BBOORRIINGGGG.... Snooze alert right here! Their look was really laid back and rockn roll. I guess they were way way to laid back. Their sound was very much like Suicide a band from New York, not a big fan. In the middle of their set they began with the fog machine. Really? At the Casbah. It was great for photo ops. But a fog machine? This made it a little more sleepy for me, I went to the back bar and hung out. I would rather watch The Return of the Mummy 3 than watch A Place to Bury Strangers. Epic Fail on their part.

Other than that It was a great show. Recap: Bands to check out All The Saints and Darker My Love.

Dia De Los Muertos Celebration!

First Show For ROCKn ROLL NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD!

A celebration for the Day of the Dead. Dia De Los Muertos. Which happens to be one of my favorite holidays. ( I do have sugar skulls on the back of my ankles to prove it) To Show appreciation to our dead ancestors we are having a great show.