"Gotta say, this eight hour long open-heart surgery was rough," says Anthony Arellano, aka Stanze Touchie, who with his wife Mishey and Vaughn Franklin is one third of local pop-punk-rock trio The Touchies of the …

"The Lord said...Stretch your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread...darkness that can be felt." Exodus 10:21 Old school “goth” can be traced back to the third and fourth centuries, when a Germanic tribe …

At first, Tracey thought I was an FBI agent. I'd been bidding on his eBay auctions for weeks, purchasing CD recordings of local concerts that took place from the mid-'80s onward. Though clearly not official …

"I recently sat down with musicologist Jon Kanis for the launch of Frequency 432 kHz: The Backstory with Rock's Royalty, and we went deep," says singer-guitarist Rick Sparhawk. "Stories from the road with Johnny Cash, …

"I have a new song out all about my love of Mojo, 'Wild Like Mojo Nixon,'" says Jay Luttrull, who was featured as the late psychobilly star's number one fan in the 2022 documentary film …

The Magical Mystery Campout: Beatles Tribute Fair is happening at DeAnza Springs Resort over the weekend of April 4 and 5. Hosted by Alma of Queen Bee's, the event offers overnight camping, hiking, swimming, pool …

Punk Rock Rodeo returns to Ocean Beach on March 20 and 21, with a free all-ages outdoor stage in the Hodad's parking lot, and additional performances and events at Winstons, Humble Heart, Art Up Your …

It's always interesting to see San Diego through the eyes of Hollywood. I've been watching reruns of the first season of Harry-O, when the TV series still had David Jansen living on a houseboat in …

Although we're only partway into 2026, San Diego is losing two more longtime local institutions. "Heading into final spins season, Bohemia After Dark goes dark April 3, 2026," says Claudia Russell, host of the KSDS …

Tom Griesgraber's new album The Split features the music he wrote and performed for the full-length documentary film Prairie Prophecy. The album features all 19 tracks from the film, as well as two bonus songs …

This weekend, Cult Cinema Classics began streaming the wonky 1968 Wonderwall movie, with music by George Harrison and psychedelic visual design by The Fool, that group of acidhead techno artists who painted the Apple office …

Here's a rare collection of scans from a collection of original artwork and proof prints that I once archived for local memorabilia dealer Duane Dimock. The collection includes over a hundred HUGE paintings and proofs, …

"Throughout history, music has been used to recruit and unify ultra-right movements. A lot of people think the Third Reich couldn’t have happened without Wagner. For Skinheads, who follow the concept of leaderless resistance, white …

A private-pressing rock opera LP from 1973, An Eye In Each Head by Anthony Adams (Harlequin Records), captured the music of a decidedly offbeat and counterculture stage production, launched right here in San Diego. The …

I didn’t set out to become a pornographer.In '84, about to become jobless, I grabbed the Yellow Pages and circled every “bookstore” listing within moped-riding distance of my North Park apartment. Hand-delivering my unimpressive resume …

Dontcha just love getting something for nothing? And who doesn’t fantasize about finding hidden treasure? That’s pretty much the notion behind “Easter eggs” on DVDs and hidden tracks on albums – the goodies are there, …

Nostalgia is a bread and butter business. San Diegans are regularly afforded the chance to see bands whose last chart hit was in the Stone’s age, whose heydays may date back further than the first …

“I can still rock,” according to Danny Weis, co-founder of Iron Butterfly. The guitarist, who lived in Canada at the time of the interview, spent the majority of his youth in El Cajon. The founding …

The local music scene abounds in literary aspirations, with books available from players such as Ben Johnson, Alfred Howard, J.D. Boucharde, Wayne Riker, Justin Pearson, Eben Brooks, Eve Selis & Mattie Mills, Jon Kanis. and …

“The gig came about as a result of my headline show at the Belly Up, thanks to [promoter] Tim Pyles. We must have done something correctly, as they called us back to open for David …

Courtesy Timothy Wood & Connecticut Concert Archive (Rock, Pop Jazz, Big Band, other pop culture) Bobby Sherman and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 6-13-70 Oakdale Theater, Wallingford CTMy mom took me. I returned the favor in …

Jolene Cruz ar La Valencia HotelApril 24“I'm a live looper performer,” says singer-guitarist Jolene Cruz. “With just my vocals, guitar, and piano, I can achieve the sound of a live band consisting of multiple people …

This week was the birthday of my ex’s dad: Donald Lee Cheney. That may seem like an unusual thing to take note of, especially since he died in 2009. But then, Donald Lee Cheney was …

Clikitat Ikatowi at the CasbahApril 17Post-hardcore/emo math rockers Clikatat Ikatowi featured drummer Mario Rubalcaba (Rocket from the Crypt, the Black Heart Procession, Hot Snakes, the Sultans, Earthless). Active in the early to mid-1990s, the band …

Felix Cartal and Avi SnowUpcoming EventFelix Cartal and Avi SnowSaturday, April 12, 2025, 7:30 p.m.Music Box, 1337 India Street, San DiegoAge Limit: 18+MoreCanadian DJ and electronic dance music producer Felix Cartal made his recorded debut …

Jemille Vialet at University Club Atop Symphony TowersApril 10Originally based in the Virgin Islands before relocating to San Diego, singer-pianist Jemille Vialet specializes in lounge and beach vibe music, with a variety show repertoire that covers …

September 1958: Rock and roll originator Ritchie Valens had two hits on the charts, "La Bamba" and "Donna," when a longtime local DJ, the late Harry "Happy Hare" Martin, persuaded him to perform at the …

Starship Featuring Mickey ThomasUpcoming EventStarship Featuring Mickey ThomasSaturday, April 5, 2025, 7:30 p.m.Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace, VistaAge Limit: Not available / $45 - $75More Singer Mickey Thomas has been a mainstay …

Travel Agents at Duck Foot BreweryApril 3Miramar brewery Duck Foot has been hosting regular Grateful Dead Nights for several years now, inviting locals from bands such as Easy Wind to take the club stage and …

8-28-65: For the Beatles' one and only local appearance, at Balboa Stadium, radio station KCBQ declared that Saturday "Beatle Day" and gave out pins saying so to attendees. Four local teenagers won a contest to present …

Freddie Walton at Estancia La JollaMarch 27An accomplished guitarist and an aspiring pianist with a soulful sound that blends heartfelt lyrics with smooth melodies, Freddie Walton is a San Diego native with a big personality …

June 1978: Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson was picked up as a vagrant crashing in Balboa Park.Flashback to late 1976: The mercurial Beach Boy was complaining about round-the-clock “treatment” administered by Beverly Hills shrink Dr. …

Research into Elvis Presley’s first-ever California concerts, over the first week of April 1956, has yielded new material about the San Diego dates, including unpublished photos of the rock icon backstage at the long-gone San …

Gary Wilson at Soda BarMarch 20The documentary film You Think You Really Know Me: The Gary Wilson Story, details the life of Gary Wilson, the eccentric indie-punk pioneer best known for his highly sought 1977 LP …

9-11-66: Del Mar was renamed “Clarksville” for the day, as part of a promotion for The Monkees TV show, which would debut the following night. The Sunday event marked the first time the foursome ever …

May 1969: Two hundred years after Father Junípero Serra founded the first California mission on Presidio Hill, San Diego celebrated its bicentennial. The Ferry still shuttled passengers and cargo across the harbor, as it had …

Who doesn't miss the staple-infested LP bins of Off The Record's late lamented Hillcrest locale? Those beat up bins survived hundreds of live concerts, with both bins and shows dating back to the store's original …

The 1979 film Hardcore shows downtown at its Sodom and Gomorrah peak, with George C. Scott stumbling through wall-to-wall porno shops in search of information about his missing porn-star daughter. He makes his way down …

Fred Benedetti at the Jazz LoungeMarch 7Fred Benedetti began playing the guitar at age nine, going on to perform with the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Opera, the Starlight Opera, the American Ballet Company, …

Yoko's personal secretary called me early on a Friday afternoon. "Miss Ono and her companion will be arriving in Dalton Georgia around 3pm tomorrow. She regrets that she won't be able to accompany you to …

Chuck Norris once busted into my hotel room and beat up a drug dealer. For real! He was filming a movie in downtown San Diego in the late 70s, with one scene at the storied …

Joey Molland, the sole surviving member from the classic period of Badfinger, passed away at 11:39pm CST Saturday evening, March 1, surrounded by his girlfriend Mary Joyce, his two sons, and other family members. "Joey was …

For the first time in over 30 years, the comic book version of the movie I scripted, Sordid Stories - which later graced the cover of Cult Movies magazine - will be back in print, …

"Well it's been a long time waiting," announced Junior Solis in a recent Facebook post, "and I'm honored and privileged to announce we are getting Victim back together for one show. For all of you that have asked through …

Video:LIVE FIVE: Chickenbone Slim, The Rugburns, Allison Adams Tucker, Jeff Berkley, Almost MondayChickenbone Slim & the Biscuits at Tio Leo’sFeb 13Blues singer-guitarist Larry Teves — aka Chickenbone Slim — named his band The Biscuits because …

Video:LIVE FIVE: John Katchur, Aimee Nolte & Leonard Patton, Dream Burglar, Theosis, the FooksJohn Katchur at Vision A Center For Spiritual LivingFeb 6John Katchur returns to the stage after a 15-year hiatus. He was part …

Video:LIVE FIVE: Amerikan Bear, Jordan Krimston, Ristband, The Sea Monks, Gilbert CastellanosAmerikan Bear at the CasbahJan 30Based in Vista, psychedelic northern soul band Amerikan Bear plays 1960s-inspired underground garage rock. They’ve been busy over the …

Video:LIVE FIVE: The Screamin’ Yeehaws, Just In Case, Whiskey & Burlap, Flatten Manhattan, TiltwheelThe Screamin’ Yeehaws at Tower BarJan 17The Screamin’ Yeehaws are a southern fried punk band founded by members of Red Eye Gravy, …

Video:LIVE FIVE: Shea Givens, Louis XIV, P.O.D., The Pictographs, Auz FontaineShea Givens at La Valencia HotelJan 9Born and raised in Missouri, Indie-soul artist Shea Givens grew up singing, songwriting, playing the piano, and performing alongside …