Weekday Picks. You should Go to These shows!

Ever have the case of the Mondays?  I sure as hell wont remember what that feels like for a while.  Not working on Mondays and going back to writing from the moment I wake up til it is time for the rockn roll show.  Sounds like a good Monday to me.  Can't forget the sleeping in either.  So as you all Monday mourners are reading this, here are the Weekday Picks from yours truly. 

Monday July 11
Anti-Monday League Presents: Melvins Lite, Toshi Kasai @ Casbah
  (and why would you miss this silly music junkie?)

Tuesday July 12
Drew Grow and The Pastors' Wives, Todd Day Wait and the Golden Hills Blues Band, Brothers and Sisters @ Soda Bar
Tinariwen, Mr. Tube and The Flying Objects @ Belly Up Tavern (I would totally be there)

Wednesday July 13
Avalon Tattoo Anniversary Party w/ Ghetto Blaster, Low Volts, Stephen Rey and The Slicks, The Lumps @ Casbah
H.R. (of Bad Brains), Katastro, Roots Covenant, DJ Peril @ Soda Bar

Thursday July 14
Normandie @ Bar Pink
The Blow, He's My Brother She's My Sister @ Casbah
Avenue Saints, Big Buck Hunter and The Pros, San Deviants @ The Shakedown Bar

See ya kids around the scene!

The Weekend. 3 Days of Shows. Where to GO!

So I have made a weekly writing assignment for myself.  Everyday I will try to come out with two post.  That is right I said it TWO post a day. Starting today I will start with my weekend picks.  I will be doing Weekend and Weekly Picks.  This should make it easy to decided on what is out and about the town.


The question really is how far are you willing to travel for shows? Personally it just really depends on how badly that artist is needed to be seen by yours truly.  As you all know, I am pretty picky of my Rockn Roll.. However, given the right band I would travel to the depths of Hell to see them. Locally I go to the ones that run along El Cajon Blvd and University Ave with of course the constant travels to Casbah.  Also, LIVE MUSIC. I really can't DJ Ones and Twos or "Dance Party Taco Pants off"


So now with out further rambling the weekend Picks starting actually tomorrow. Ill post tonights for those who haven't decided where to go or is home like me and wonders what was playing out tonight.


Friday - July 8th

• Pussy Galore’s 4 year Anniversary feat. Hotel St. George, Grand Tarantula, DJs Robin Roth, Terryn S, and Jaime Ali @ Whistle Stop
• The New Kinetics, Masxs, Clockart, Uniform Victor @ Tin Can Ale House
• Bella Novela @ Soda Bar

Saturday - July 9th

• Short Eyes @ Tower Bar
• The White Buffalo , Ari Shine, Blackout Party @ Casbah
• The Hot Moon (record release), The Donkeys, Foreign Film @ Soda Bar
• The Goomies, The Littlest Viking, Housewives @ Tin Can
• Statue, Sandbox Bullies, Who Rides The Tiger @ Eleven

Sunday - July 10th

• Otro, Hazzard’s Cure, Badr Vogu, Deep Sea Thunder Beast @ Tower Bar
• The Bassturd, Coolzey, Mic E$ @ Bar Pink

SDMA - Lets start the voting.

Quick side note:  I would like to apologize for this not coming out last Monday, when the voting began; but hey, it's out now. So don't fret my readers. Here is my thoughts on SDMA 2011:

It is certainly that time of year.  Seems like the San Diego Music Awards are right around the corner and voting has begun (as of last Monday actually).  Every year its the same old story, with a few morning text messages and emails of:  "Why didn't my band get picked?" or "Why this and what that?"  Really, please stop your bitching for one minute about why your band did not get nominated  for being one of San Diegos' best (insert category here). If you had a time to shine in the past then let others have the spotlight as well.

This year I was actually part of the "Academy" that got the pre-ballots for picking the categories in which people live and die for in San Diego.  After reading and seeing how the SDMF chooses their nominees, for the first time in a while I felt content with the bands that have been chosen in the majority of the categories.   I only say majority due to the fact that I would not be able to choose a "World Music" band in our city.  I may be in the know of music for San Diego however, the rock, metal and indie scene is more my cup of tea.

In the previous years, I volunteered my time in helping my music community in being part what seemed to me the biggest event of the year.  From the first year I ever attended the SDMAs (in 2001), til now, ten years later.  The bands and local talent that we had in the past has now tripled almost quadrupled in size.   What do you do when it actually becomes time for public voting? So many people, artist and groups on the ballot.  Take this years' Best Americana category; It has Blackout Party, Brawley, Bill Cardinal and The Canyon Band. How does one pick just one band when all three are just as great as each other.  This happens with all the categories actually, except hip hop and world.

This year Ben Johnson (heavy front man and wicked drummer) has landed two nomination in different categories. One of Best Hard Rock and the other Best Hip Hop act. The Long and Short of it and Grammatical B.  This is not the first time a band or solo act has been nominated for two different categories.  Also Nena Anderson nominated in the Jazz category and also her band Brawley for best Americana.  Although those are the good things about these awards.

The only real complain I have with the way they are categories is based on the genre of the band and then the genre of the album they are nominated for. Take Hyena for example, nominated for best Electric Group or Act.  However, their album is nominated for Best Alternative.  Does anyone else see a problem in that?  Or, Lady Dottie and The Diamonds as Best Blues act, instead of best Tribute band.  There probably is a method to this madness. I just do not see what this method is.  I am sure they have the same problems when it comes to The Grammy's right or the LAMA's.

I am sure there could be more said about the ups and downs of our music awards.  Although for Best New Artist/Act, some of the new artist I have seen around the greater San Diego area were not nominated.  I wont mention who, however I will keep supporting them.  Last but not least.  If there was to be ONE year and I mean ONE year that Jason Marz and Slightly Stoopid were no longer on the ballot, it would probably make my year.

The SDMA's will be August 8th at Humphrey's By The Bay. With special performances by The Silent Comedy, Cuckoo Chaos, Gilbert Castellanos, The Penetrators, and Candy Kane and Sue Palmer.  Make sure you get your tickets here.  For a list of all the nominees and for voting please visit San Diego Music Awards website.

I'm Back - (A Quick Release before I Start Again)

Hello to all those I have abandoned.  I am so sorry.  You aren't forgotten.  Priorities got mixed up in the whole rockn' roll scene here in (weather has been fucked) San Diego.  I have been doing way to much.  I know at the end of the night when my buddies give me a hug and whisper sweet nothings about how much I do for this music scene I smile. Then  I go home and wonder to myself  how  many people realize that there is so much work behind the scenes.  The stress, the hours of emails, the constant running around, poster making, socially interacting with people you might or might not see again, not to mention a good amount of bands that you must work with and sometimes, just sometimes, said bands don't appreciate what you did just to make that show happen.  Nights like those are when I actually go home and cry in my pillow.

How many people can actually say that rockn roll saved their lives many times?  I realized when I was a young child that music would be my life. Playing bass, booking shows, making posters, taking pictures and just supporting the local musicians.  I tried so many different career choices that included : grip on a few films, make up artist in Hollywood, coffee shop girl, photographer, bartender, cook, chef, personal chef and not to mention I am still working at a restaurant. Some how I go back to music.

 I'm only 27 years old.  Yes, that is right a youngin'.  Many people think that with the amount of connections and knowledge on music, I have to be at least in my early thirties.  (Hopefully it isn't the way I look.)  I have gotten this far with music due to my passion.  I eat, sleep, and dream of music. I BLEED music.   Now I am living my dream, I work for a pretty cool bar, a restaurant (which I will be booking a few nights a month.) I am also managing two bands who will be touring pretty soon.  Please be excited and I got my blog back into order.  Expect new designs, a few fun little gadgets and so many upcoming post.

If you have a new EP, LP or any kind of music that you would like to be reviewed shoot me an email at BULLETMCK (at) GMAIL (dot) COM.   I will make sure to review that shit!

I will also be doing my weekly picks of upcoming shows.  So get ready for an upcoming half year of craziness and wild shows!  A lot of writing that's for sure.

ALSO thanks for reading and the support.

Exciting Weekend Ahead...

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

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

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

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

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

So Ill see ya at those shows!  

Pictures sometimes are better than words..

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

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

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

All in order by dates of the shows.

      

  

  

    

  

Enjoy all the shows to come!  

Like a bird ready to fly

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

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

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


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


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