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

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.

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....)

Reviewing on other sites!

So I like doing small mini album reviews of my favorite albums. Today I did Fing, which is playing a very special gig in September. I will talk about that more when the time comes. However; iTunes is great for checking out music and review music.
Im going to cheat a little and post my review of Making Love With Fear.


iTunes Review for Fing Making Love With Fear.

If you haven't heard Making Love with Fear then you don't know what making love with rock is about. Fing is an original all star 5 member group. Everyone in the band brings their own feel and creativity. With their raw energy they bring on stage, its not surprise that Making Love with Fear mimics that same energy on record. With their opener; "Don't Talk," it gives you an understanding of what the album might consist of musically. Then when you think your going with the flow, Fing changes up the tempo and "Rock The Hips" comes on. A funk song with swanky guitars and a head bopping bass line. This might be one of the best singles on this album. Songs either have a funk grove to them or an electro-rock feel to them. Fing has brought so much liveliness to San Diego's music scene. I recommend to everyone to grab this record. It would be better if you go and watch them live you wont be disappointed. I never am!

There's a Monster Comin' from Cat D'Camp on Vimeo.