Mash the Media

Scott Pactor runs the local-centric music blog Cat Dirt Sez. "I average 90 visits a day," he says. His write-ups frequently praise the Casbah, Brick by Brick, and the Beauty Bar. He expresses little love for Soma and the Epicentre. "As a fan, having suffered through shows at both venues, they just suck, and it's sad that national touring acts that want to do all-age shows have to play there because there's no viable alternative."

He says the majority of feedback from site visitors involves his harsh words for the local press. "I've tried to ratchet back on the media criticism of late, except for 91X and the Union-Tribune. Let me just say that the 91X vs. 94/9 feud is very real and leave it at that." Regarding local print publications and their coverage of the local music scene, Pactor prefers CityBeat over the Reader. "I prefer 'Locals Only' to 'Blurt' because it tends to be more positive."

BEST LOCAL MUSIC BLOGS?

1. chickrawker.com ("Specializes in local radio analysis and national alt-rock and indie rock.")

2. sddialedin.blogspot.com ("Blogger Rosie goes out, like, every night of the week and knows tons about local music and musicians.")

3. blogsandiego.com ("They're affiliated with Lou's Records, and they do a good job reviewing indie records.")

BEST NONLOCAL MUSIC BLOGS?

1. this.bigstereo.net ("It's the stereogum.com for electronic music.")

2. fluokids.blogspot.com ("Mostly in French -- tops for electronic music.")

3. corykennedy.blogspot.com ("A 17-year-old club kid and model from Los Angeles who dates Vincent Gallo.")

4. gerardvsbear.blogspot.com ("This guy basically clowns Blogger Nation every day, and he makes me laugh hard.")

FAVORITE 20TH-CENTURY POLITICAL MOVEMENTS?

1. Communism ("As in Russia and Eastern Europe. Is there any question about this? Does anyone not miss the old USSR?")

2. Maoism ("Great art, great iconography.")

3. Civil Rights movement ("A worthy cause, happened in America.")

4. Zionism ("Represent!")

MOST IMPORTANT DIY/PUNK SCENES?

1. London, late '70s ("I understand that there were many antecedents to the punk movement and they happened in many places, but, seriously....")

2. Los Angeles, late '70s/early '80s ("Something I never appreciated until I actually moved down here is how vibrant the art and music of Los Angeles have been for the longest time.")

3. New York, late '70s ("I hate New York, but whatever.")

4. Oakland, California, '90s ("Hard to believe that bands like Green Day, AFI, and Rancid all got their start playing 924 Gilman Street, a run-down East Bay venue.")

WORST BANDS STILL MAKING MUSIC?

1. Incubus ("I find their return disturbing.")

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers ("Do I actually have to listen to this band for the rest of my life?")

3. Cute Is What We Aim For ("Haven't actually heard them, but the fact that they hang out with Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco is enough for me.")

THE CLASH OR THE SEX PISTOLS?

"Both bands are still on the air, but, you know, the Sex Pistols only have one real album, and I like that."

FINEST LOCAL JAVA?

"Influx in Golden Hill has the best cappuccino in San Diego, for around $2.50."

ROCK ICON YOU'D MOST WANT TO BE?

"Bill Graham."