Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Back to profile

Stories by Brian Carver

DJ Skizz, Dirtbag Surfers, and Scatter Brain the Acid Atheist

Artist: DJ SkizzSong: “Wut Iz” Heard by: John Garcia, Chula VistaI thought it was well done. It was mixed really well. It had good beats and good rhythms. It was pretty classic stuff — ’90s …

July 7, 2010
The Kneehighs, Thrillrazr, and Hershel Abram

Artist: The KneehighsSong: “Eyes Wide Open” Heard by: Angel Martinez, Southeast San DiegoIt was a pretty smooth track. It had a nice beat. I haven’t heard that type of music before. It’s kind of like …

May 26, 2010
Double Standard, AJIZZAREALISM, and Greg Gibson

Artist: Double StandardSong: “Rock and Roll Is Evil” Heard by: Matt Ward, Normal HeightsIt had a late-’70s kind of rock sound. I kept thinking of a lot of bands like Diamond Head, Motörhead — the …

April 14, 2010
Roosevelt, Noise Gate, and Scatter Brain and Acid Atheist

Artist: RooseveltSong: “Miracles and City Lights” (from sdreader.com/mp3)Heard by: Matt Silengo, North ParkI thought it had a really good sound to it. I couldn’t really make out the lyrics to know exactly what was being …

March 17, 2010
Lead Burns Red, Pedalay the Boss, and Jackpot Junkies

Artist: Lead Burns RedSong: “Nomad” (from sandiegoreader.com/mp3)Heard by: Julian Yanez, Ocean BeachIt starts off strong, starts out hard. I liked the intensity. It kind of slows down with the breakdown, but overall, it’s a good …

March 3, 2010
Misc. Ailments, Otro Mundo, and Napoleon Complex

Artist: Misc. AilmentsSong: “Brand New Day” (from sandiegoreader.com/mp3)Heard by: Ryan Aragon, Phoenix, AZIt was definitely something different. To me, it had a Latin beat mixed with alternative music. It almost had an Incubus feel to …

February 10, 2010
The Touchies, the Odd Get Even, and Lil' Pizzas

Artist: The TouchiesSong: “Ur Friendz Suck”Heard by: Jimmy Wigdahl, San DiegoIt’s your average punk song. It has three chords. It’s something that you listen to that’s fast and makes you want to run around in …

January 27, 2010
A Shift to the Left, Hocus, Self-Made Men

Artist: A Shift to the LeftSong: “Like a Fox” Heard by: Don White, University CityEarly in life, jazz was described to me as “play a wrong note and it’s a wrong note; play the wrong …

January 13, 2010
Conceptus, Monkeys in Space, City Limits

Artist: ConceptusSong: “Which Way” (from myspace.com/conceptus)Heard by: Lorenzo Ochoa, North ParkIt reminded me of the Mamas and the Papas. It seems influenced or inspired by them. It has a soft melody to it. The guitar …

December 30, 2009
Behind the Wagon, Helen Earth Band, Steam Powered Giraffe

Artist: Behind the WagonSong: “Have Some Fun Tonight” (from the CD 11 Songs by…)Heard by: Beth Borwell, Austin, TXI thought it was a little cheesy. They sound like a random 1990s band that made it …

December 16, 2009
Hillstreet Stranglers, Ryan Hiller, Josh Damigo

Artist: Hillstreet StranglersSong: “Madame Methlab” (from the Imaginary Baggage EP)Heard by: Andrew Smith, North ParkThey’re pretty good. I like that type of music — punk rock. I go to a lot of the local punk …

December 2, 2009
Trouble in the Wind, Tim and the 23's, AntiQuark

Artist: Trouble in the WindSong: “Mr. Whiskey” (from the CD All My Hopes on a Sailing Boat)Heard by: Elliott, North ParkWhen I thought the song was over, it kept going. I’d probably like this song …

November 18, 2009
Heavy Guilt, Bloodstone and Princess, Monkstrap

Artist: The Heavy GuiltSong: “Clove” (from the CD Lift Us Up From This)Heard by: Mike Motz, San CarlosIt’s not exactly the style of music I listen to. It almost seems like a cliché. It’s rock. …

November 4, 2009
Fever Sleeves, Pleasure Device, and Hocus

Artist: Fever SleevesSong: “Maximum Castles” (from the CD Soft Pipes, Play On)Heard by: Andy Parish, City HeightsI liked it a lot. It was a little mathy but in a good way, a little screamy but …

October 21, 2009
Derren Raser, Trophy Wife, and Verso

Artist: Derren RaserSong: “Home in This Direction” (from the CD Home in This Direction)Heard by: Jason B., Normal HeightsThe song had a lot of warmth and immediacy to it. It was almost like he was …

October 7, 2009
Civil Unrest, Misc. Ailments, and Sir Splendid

Artist: Civil UnrestSong: “Delusion of Truth” (from the CD Ravaging the Purity)Heard by: Mike Adams, South BayIt’s pretty good; I’d like to hear more of them. It’s close to generic metal, but it’s better than …

September 23, 2009
Cityzen, Underhill Vortex, and V Child

Artist: CityzenSong: RestlessHeard by: Beau Goldner, North ParkI liked it right off the bat. It sounded pretty good. It kind of reminded me of an ’80s or early-’90s style of rock…maybe even like Danzig. I …

September 9, 2009
Tiawnee, I Vomited a Rainbow, and Hello Drama

Artist: Tiawnee feat. Mr. SplifSong: “School Girl Crush” (from the CD Young Love)Heard By: William, San Diego Personally, I can respect hip-hop and rap music, but that song didn’t really have a lot of composition …

August 26, 2009
Jaymz Dare, Joey Harris, and Revenge Club

Artist: Jaymz DareSong: “Rock Paper Scissors” (from his self-titled CD)Heard by: Aaron Rubin, San DiegoIt was awful. It wanted it to sound like Soft Cell, but it didn’t achieve it. This is a great example …

August 12, 2009
Toxicana, You Feel Like Rain, and Dead as Dillinger

Artist: ToxicanaSong: Vicious Cycle (from the CD Pandemia)Heard by: Rafael Gonzalez, San DiegoBasically, the music was pretty good, the lyrics made sense, and there was a good coordination between the music and lyrics — everything …

July 29, 2009
Astra, Boomsnake, Dakotafish

Artist: BoomsnakeSong: “Busy” (from the CD Give and Take)Heard by: Jon Carmack, Mission Bay It was pretty good. It started off with a nice, raw acoustic sound, and then the full band kicked in midway …

July 15, 2009
Nautical Disaster, Jimmy Powers vs. Verbz, and Aepnia

Artist: Nautical DisasterSong: “Your Lying Stars” (from the CD Interceptor)Heard by: Lucas Blankartz, North ParkI thought it was a pretty decent song. It started out really bass-heavy and sounded very spacey and dark. It sounds …

July 1, 2009
Shamey Jays, Even Keel, and Berkley Hart

Artist: The Shamey JaysSong: “My Machine Kicks Your Machine’s Ass” (from the CD Your Pretty Packages)Heard By: Sarah Nelson, DowntownIt was fun. It’s something that I’d want to listen to while I’m doing something like …

June 17, 2009
Mutantspaceboy, Josh Damigo, and the Turtle Project

Artist: MutantspaceboySong: “Lost in Time” (from the CD Mutantspaceboy)Heard By: Rob Scheuch, Mission HillsI thought it was very different. It was mostly synthesizers. It started out really slow and then progressively picked up and got …

May 27, 2009
Manic Diffusion, the Ambassador, and Necrolepsy

Artist: Manic DiffusionSong: “Mr. Badd Guy” (from the CD Orange Rhymes)Heard By: Lincoln Lee, Fashion Valley I thought it was good. It’s not my type of genre, but I liked the solos, the riffs, and …

May 13, 2009
Po County, Eclipse79, and SO3

Artist: Po County featuring Big Money BlueSong: “Po County Livin’ It Up (Slamming)” (from their two-song CDR)Heard By: Richard Medlen, San Diego It was good; it had a great beat to it. It was something …

April 29, 2009
Israel Bissel, Jasmine, and Strike the Design

Artist: Israel BissellSong: “Angel Wings” (from the CD Disillusioned Hero)Heard By: Bryan Whitman, North ParkI thought it had a good instrumental. I liked that they used a lot of wind instruments — they used more …

April 15, 2009
Sicarus, Feeling of Hate, and K.A.L.M.

Artist: SicarusSong: “Strength of All” (from the CD Strength of All)Heard By: Scoops, City Heights It totally sucked. It was like three different bands that weren’t really good that were playing the same song in …

April 1, 2009
Endoxi, Somato Sensory, Bombay Status

Artist: EndoxiSong: “I’m Bipolar” (from the CD New Blood, Old Soul)Heard By: Taylor Nelson, Chula Vista Basically, the high point to me was the fact that they used real instruments — real drums, real bass, …

March 18, 2009
Derek Papa, Pillbox Remedy, and Plow

Artist: PlowSong: “Sunday Sadir” (from their self-titled CD)Heard By: Adrian Keenan, Ocean BeachI thought it was really interesting — a kind of old, folksy-sounding song. It was very reminiscent of the late-1800s or so. It …

March 4, 2009
Matt Commerce, Wayne Riker, Janell Rock

Artist: Janell RockSong: “The Black Cat Cries” (from the CD Performer)Heard By: Silvia Flores, College Area I liked the bass in the beginning. Instead of just keeping the rhythm, it actually played the melody. The …

February 18, 2009
Kellis, Marasol, Social Green

Artist: KellisSong: “When You Love Someone” (from the Doodles EP)Heard By: Bill Wesley, South Park I thought it sounded a lot like Johnny Cash — sort of old-school country-western but with a better recording. His …

January 21, 2009
Da Bears, Modern Rifles, Hotel St. George

Artist: Da BearsSong: “Regal Beagle” (from the CD Classics Never Die/Cowardly Cobra)Heard By: Justine Marzoni, Imperial Beach I really liked it. It reminds me of Of Montreal; it was dance-y and happy. I liked the …

January 7, 2009
Zank, Jack, and Ron

Artist: ZankSong: “Sorry” (from the CD Without a Bridge)Heard By: Abe Sanchez, Rosarito, Mexico It’s not bad. It’s something I’d definitely listen to on the radio, but I don’t know if I’d go out and …

December 23, 2008
Jesse Johnson, Philip Treas, Extinct Animals

Artist: Jesse JohnsonSong: “Spread the Love” (from the CD Cause and Effect)Heard By: Peter Milmoe, New York City I thought he had a great voice. The song had a lot of movement, but it was …

December 10, 2008
Lillian Palmer, Mod Amish, and Behind the Wagon

Artist: Lillian Palmer Song: “Swinging on the Moon” (from the CD Like a Lover) Heard By: Gonzalo Dremoniz, Normal Heights Overall, it’s cookin’. It’s very tight and swingin’. It’s everything I like about “proper” jazz. …

November 25, 2008
Pac 10, Jodi V, Elijah Emanuel

Artist: Pac 10Song: “You Could Be Next” (from the CD Franchise Players)Heard By: Jason Kjolsing, Mira Mesa I thought it was interesting subject matter. It was about how George Bush messed up the country and …

November 12, 2008
Bless 619, Avitia, Writer

Artist: Bless 619Song: “Diego Rivera” (from the CD Diego Rivera)Heard By: Anthony Lukens, Golden Hill The beats are pretty good, but I didn’t really dig on the emcee until he said, “There’s so much drama …

October 29, 2008
Fiffin Market, Nathan James, XIV

Artist: Fiffin Market Song: “The Wild Rover” (from the CD Lost at Sea) Heard By: Chase Edwards, North Park I liked it. It made me want to drink beer. It reminds me of the Dropkick …

October 15, 2008
The Bigfellas, Styles Free, Pushin Rope

Artist: The Bigfellas Song: “California King” (from the CD Chubbed Up) Heard By: Gil Ronduen, Paradise Hills It was folky. When it first started off with the piano, it sounded like the intro to a …

October 1, 2008
Peter Pupping Band, the Shake Ups, Lindsey Hail

Artist: The Peter Pupping Band Song: “Sea Journey” (from the CD Sea Journey) Heard By: Richard Gutierrez, Pomona, CA It was basically a mix of styles. It was all instrumental with mostly a Latin feel. …

September 17, 2008
Plane Without a Pilot, Podunk Nowhere, Mannyfesto & Stel

Artist:Plane Without a Pilot Song: “What I Would Do” (from the CD It’s about Time) Heard By: Tony Diprima, Mission Bay The first thing I heard was a “pang” cymbal, which bummed me out. It’s …

September 3, 2008
Chill, Throwback, and Makeup Music

Artist: Slightly Stoopid Song: “The Fruits” (from the CD Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid Heard By: Marlon Hendred, Mission Hills I thought it was pretty good, but it’s not like I …

August 20, 2008
Strange, Okay, Not Too Pretentious

Artist: A Scribe amidst the Lions Song: “Wet Bird” (from the CD Sunken Cities) Heard By: Richie Lauridsen, Golden Hill It’s not my cup of tea; however, the band is technically proficient. That song kind …

August 6, 2008
Strolling Music

Artist: Lanterns Song: “Knives Gleam” (from myspace.com/wearelanterns) Heard By: Katie Zangaro, North Park It had a light and easy enough sound to where anyone can get into them. I would consider it indie rock. It …

July 23, 2008
Ready for War

Artist: Nature of the Beast Song: “Ready for War” (from the CD Homeland Security) Heard By: Robert Bagaygay, Mission Valley I was really liking the beat. It went back to the old school with the …

July 9, 2008
Not for Velvet Underground Fans

Artist: Charles Musket Song: “Tapes” (from myspace.com/charlesmusket) Heard By: Jason Campanile, Boulevard It started off strong. It had a really catchy melody. I saw what they were going for, and I don’t think they made …

June 25, 2008
Like Lil Jon Took Some Ecstasy

Artist: Trend Setters Song: “No Friends” (from the CD Cali Crunk Vol. 1) Heard By: Graham Goodenough, College Area It was generic, standard, recent hip-hop that’s got that Southern beat — kind of slowed down …

June 11, 2008
A Californian Song and New Grunge

Artist: The Paddle Boat Song: “A Little Time” (from myspace.com/thepaddleboat) Heard By: Michael Dunford, Mission Hills I thought it was good. I think it’s a very appropriate song. What I mean by that is the …

June 4, 2008
Youth Group Version of Experimental

Artist: Marcelo Radulovich Song: “Turn on the Phone” (from the CD Mercurio) Heard By: Tracey McDonough, Point Loma Marcelo Radulovich — you need to choose a sound because you are going all over the place. …

May 28, 2008

Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.