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Stories by Jay Allen Sanford

Record-release roundup

“I’m doing a release show for my Great Big World solo CD at Café Ipé on Pacific Coast Highway in Leucadia on Sunday, May 26,” says former Roxy Dioxide singer/guitarist Scott Samuels, who’ll be performing ...

Ilan Rubin: exhibitionist

Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin talks about his band Regime’s EPs.

Ugly at 30

Mike Stax of the Loons to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his publication Ugly Things at the Casbah over Memorial Day weekend.

Thank you, Johnny Depp

Clint Perry of the pirate-themed Boo Hoo Crew describes his band as “the only kids rock band that actually rocks the kids.”

A single guy in an endless summer

One-time Blizzard frontman Chris Leyva starts a band called the Falling Doves.

Record-release roundup

On April 29 at the Casbah, Mad Traffic will debut their City EP, produced by Grammy-nominated Bell Biv Devoe collaborator Jay Henry. “We may play our version of Bell Biv Devoe’s ‘Poison,’” says singer Blaise ...

Frank Zappa meets the Mahavishnu Orchestra

Interview with former Ike Turner drummer Bill Ray, about the many projects he’s working on.

I Wish I ties the past with the present

I Wish I, a band from the late ’90s, reunites to release Convolutions.

Not gone Hollywood

Secret Seven’s Zachary Goode now lives in L.A. and plays with another band.

Fuzzy wuz a band

“We started a new project called Freak the Mighty with a new rhythm section when we got off the road last October,” says guitarist Adam Baez of the now-defunct Fuzz-Huzzi, which was already splintering before ...

Al Howard's Guilty pleasures

‘We decided to have this third record be self-titled, ’cause we feel like we really found our own sound,” says Alfred Howard of the Heavy Guilt, who will celebrate the release of their new full-length ...

Record-release roundup

The release party for Hills Like Elephants’ new album, Feral Flocks, on the local Requiemme Records label and distributed by BMG/Chrysalis, happens March 29 at Bar Pink. Featuring a dance-centric sound that frontman Sean Davenport ...

Hindsight offers name-your-price CDs

New Hindsight Recording Studios records 18 local bands for free in order to get exposure for everybody.

Ridiculous Hawaii

Heavy Hawaii films video using fire extinguishers that draw fire trucks to the scene.

Craigstrack

Band Incomplete Neighbor discovers one of their songs in used on the soundtrack of a film titled Craigslist Joe.

Record-release roundup

When the band formerly known as Short Eyes drops their Granado’s full-length on March 5 at the Belly Up, it’ll be the first show under their new name, North Beach, and one of their last ...

Hair rock cafe

Oceanside hair salon Rock Your Loxx features a hard-rock theme, includes a stage and Marshall-amp replica cabinetry.

A.K. Skurgis: Thrift-store junkie

“I play songs about things that should never be brought up at the dinner table.”

A.K. Skurgis gives you the one-man acoustic band live, but recorded he’s full-band electric.

Funeral ganja

Slightly Stoopid trumpeter/keyboardist Christofer “C-Money” Welter talks about his side band, Players Inc.

Swarmius-Haussmann septet: classic not classical

Interview with Joe Waters of the Swarmius Trio and the Hausmann String Quartet, which merges classical music with rock, hip-hop, jazz, and world-music genres.

Jim Ryan's project full of projects

Jim Ryan has to give up Cardiac Kidz but starts his own Jim Ryan Project.

Record-release roundup

Take Over, a local-music compilation from North County–based Pacific Ocean Records, drops January 31 with an 18-and-up party at Oceanside’s Red Crab Lounge. “We’ll give copies away to the first 50 people,” says label honcho ...

The musical alter egos of the Country Rockin’ Rebels

The Country Rockin’ Rebels were founded by Bad Science Fiction guitarist Michael Head, operator of local Headtrap Studios for around 20 years, and singer-songwriter Tristan Luhrs. “He and I have worked in my studio since ...

Where Ron took Veronica

With so many local performers relocating in search of success, Brothers Gow bucked the trend by moving to San Diego this past August. “We didn’t even know we wanted to move from the Bay Area ...

Outlaw-country-blues-rockers Tilt to release debut full-length at Belly Up

“The band is now essentially myself and singer Jesse Malley...we do the songwriting and band management,” says guitarist Jeff Irwin of outlaw-country-blues-rockers Tilt, whose debut full-length, Howlin’, will drop January 23 at the Belly Up. ...

The Clinic's got positive swag

Clairemont rapper Joseph Sardina, aka Lil’ Joe, is now known as the Clinic.

Simeon Flick, studio hermit

Unless you’re a zombie, Simeon Flick’s latest album of tighter songs, better production, and more proficient engineering should inspire a stronger emotional response than previous records.

Lizzie Wann's Ode to Her Hair

Interview with poet/producer Lizzie Wann, who used to be able to do one side of a Rubik’s cube with her feet.

Record-release roundup

Americana popsters the Midwinters will drop their sophomore EP All There Is on January 7. Two preview tracks are streaming online and available as free downloads: “Resign” and “Gets You By.” According to singer/guitarist Paul ...

Sulo King buys Black Box Studio, changes name to Iacon Sound

We buy a lot of bulbs

“I realized that booking and promoting shows was a risky business to be in, and it wasn’t a sufficient way to make a living,” says Sulo King, whose career in concert promotion included a trouble-plagued ...

Tuned to teach

Besides performing Wayne Riker teaches guitar at Coleman Tech High School in Kearny Mesa.

Weird noise manglers

Marcelo Radulovich of Nice World creates music on his iPod and iPhone.

Steve Haney has found himself in some wild, unexpected places

‘My band Jungle Fire was recently asked to make an appearance on the Showtime season finale of their show Dexter,” says Mission Valley percussionist Steve Haney, who also plays with the Anthology House Band and ...

A bomb dropped at home

Carl Durant releases a new single and video for his song “(Not Our) Ride Home,” about 22 sixth-graders killed in Swiss Alp bus accident earlier this year.

Record-release roundup

A limited-edition vinyl pressing of P.O.D.’s new full-length, Murdered Love, drops this week. It’s available in two colors: transparent red and clear with red splatter. On November 30, the Tin Can Alehouse will host the ...

The adult-oriented Pony Death Ride

‘We perform musical comedy inspired by burlesque, vaudeville, and punk rock,” says Jaye MacAskill, who cofounded Pony Death Ride with her husband Joe in 2009. “As a multi-instrumental duo, our songs reference a variety of ...

No air guitar!

Interview with Steve Weinberger, author of the book No Air Guitar Allowed.

Lobsters and mustard

Axe body spray pays Ninja Love for use of a song in a South American ad campaign.

Goodbye, college boy. Hello, Pink Floyd Experience

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” takes Tom Quinn, of the Pink Floyd Experience, to a beautiful place.

Old Tiger, pronounced Lud-Spike

Old Tiger’s Dustin Lothspeich, hung up on Mitt’s money.

Record-Release Roundup

Videos for new songs by Writer — “Hot Days” and a cover of Santigold’s “Disparate Youth” — from their upcoming full-length Brotherface (due October 30), are streaming online, both directed by E. Lee Smith. The ...

Wendy Bailey's Lovely Guitars

"I play melodic pop-rock music,” says Vista singer/songwriter Wendy Bailey. “Think Foo Fighters with an Annie Lennox-ish type lead voice. I’ve had comparisons like Velocity Girl, Liz Phair, and Jimmy Eat World.” Originally from Colorado, ...

Vegan Rock

Metal guitarist Chad Ackerman to put out solo album.

“I recently finished my first solo record, and I’m going under the name A Veil,” says Chapter 14 singer/guitarist Chad Ackerman. Ackerman was still attending San Marcos High School when he joined As I Lay ...

Town & Country Con

Town and Country Resort and Convention Center hosts a smallish comic convention put on by originators of Comic-Con.

Rob Deez’s Hobbit Name Would Be Brown Paper Baggins

"I’m a comedic singer-songrhymer,” says Rob Deez, “which basically means that I can appeal to many different audiences. The comedic side fits in at comedy shows, the singer side works at coffee shops and bars, ...

Ladies and Gentlemen, Jack!

Silent Comedy’s Joshua Zimmerman was a really good kid, alcoholically speaking.

Bunny v. Bunny

Flogging Molly bassist Nathen Maxwell sends cease-and-desist letter to Bunny Gang, alleging they have no rights to the name because he was using it three years ago.

Party with Centerfolds

Hardcore rap-rockers Hi Def Dynamite regroup after a decade apart.

Josh Damigo defected to L.A. — he's back.

"I’m a mix of Switchfoot and Taylor Swift,” says singer/songwriter Josh Damigo. “My music is pop, with a slight twang. I usually play acoustic, but I also have a technically talented group of guys that ...

Record-Release Roundup

The local band compilation Staring at the Sun Volume 10 will debut with an all-ages show at Lestat’s on October 6, featuring a bill that includes Tolan Shaw, the Comeuppance (performing as a quartet), David ...