Gabriela Kowalkowski

Spray Allen

Brought together by skateboard icon Danny Way, Spray Allen is an alternative desert rock band with a mildly psychedelic blend of ‘70s to ‘90s influences. Founded by drummer Wade Youman (Unwritten Law, Demasiado) and bassist Eric Wilson (Sublime, Long Beach Dub Allstars), the band also features guitarist Eric Sherman and lead singer Daniel Lonner, who have been playing together in bands like Late Night Episode since both were attending New York high schools, before relocating together to California. The first song that the foursome ever played together, “Left For Dead,” was videotaped and uploaded to Spray Allen’s Instagram. They'll appear at Winstons in OB on November 20, along with Sensi Trails.

Encouraged by the feedback, the band spent pandemic shutdown time at Sonic Ranch Studio in El Paso Texas with Paul Leary (of the Butthole Surfers), Gabrial McNair (No Doubt keyboardist and horn player), and Stu Brooks (Dub Trio), resulting in a 26-song double album. Videos are streaming online for tracks such as their debut release “Stay Clean,” which features guest appearances from Butthole Surfer Leary and Bam Margera from MTV’s Jackass. A follow-up single-and-video is available for “Sabotage.” They’ll play Vista’s Ebullition Brew on November 13.

Pathology

Heavy metal band Pathology has seen a lot of pivotal local players come through its ranks over the years, including Dave Astor (the Locust, Cattle Decapitation) Levi Fuselier (Disgorge), Diego Sanchez (Disgorge), Matti Way (Disgorge, Liturgy), Mason Gregory (Element), Pascual Romero (In This Moment), Jonathan Huber (I Declare War), and a seemingly endless array of temps and come-and-go players (they once notched seven lineup changes in a single year). They’ve released around a half dozen albums, many of them adorned with intentionally alarming cover artwork painted by genre fave Par Olofsson. The group is streaming their new song “Dirge for the Infected,” the third single from their upcoming album The Everlasting Plague, due November 19. Says the band, “We’re stoked to finally share another track from the new album. ‘Dirge for the Infected’ shows the full range of Pathology’s music, from brutally heavy to fast and complex along with everything in between.” A lyric video for the track is streaming online.

Slack Key Ohana

“We play traditional Hawaiian music with modern Aloha vibes,” according to guitar duo Slack Key ‘Ohana, known for attracting an ever-expanding roster of guest talent for both studio and live performances. Guitarist Kamaka Mullen first got to know partner (and Pacific Records honcho) Brian Witkin when Mullen decided to take slack key lessons from the vet of Rock and Roll San Diego. Witkin later produced one of Mullen’s solo albums. With Slack Key ‘Ohana, they specialize in a Tiki Waikīkī 1940s vibe, blending Hawaiian melodies with Beach Boys-style harmonies, and using old school recording techniques in the studio and vintage instruments and equipment onstage.

The band’s self-titled debut, due December 3, will be preceded on November 17 by a single being released exclusively with Apple Music and iTunes, “Hanalei Moon.” The record features a mix of originals and covers, with sleeve artwork painted by Tom “Thor” Thordarson, a Hawaiian artist who is known for his work with Disney. Slack Key ‘Ohana will perform on November 20 at the Carlsbad Camp Store, where they’ll stage holiday-themed return engagements on December 5 and December 17.

Rebecca Jade

Singer Rebecca Jade has enjoyed a steadily rising profile after being spotted at the 2020 Oscars ceremony singing backup for Elton John. Her Autumn 2020 single and video for “Bad Wolves” — featuring local stars Jason Mraz, Miki Vale, and Veronica May — is described by San Diego label Pacific Records as “a dark yet inspiring protest against the ‘bad wolves’ running the country, furthering systems of oppression and racism in the U.S.” The track won Song of the Year at the 2021 San Diego Music Awards. Jade recently co-produced her first solo project with Carnell Harrell (the Jacksons, Jennifer Lopez), known for working with jazz icon Dave Koz.

In related news, Jade was just added to the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour, which kicks off this month. Jade sang on Koz’s virtual holiday special in 2020, and she will join Koz on the road this year alongside holiday tour regulars Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, and Rick Braun. The Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour hits downtown’s Balboa Theatre on December 20.

Falling Doves

“The Falling Doves have been collaborating with Little Miss Nasty, a Hollywood-based rock and roll burlesque troupe, on some video content for the Doves upcoming tour,” says Doves frontman Christopher Leyva. “They started looking to bring their show to San Diego a few times, but San Diego is a bit shy about controversy. They finally found a buyer for the show, so Brick by Brick will be presenting it on November 13. What makes this show incredible is that it’s all the dancers, choreographers, and musicians who play with everyone from Kid Rock to Rhianna and Justin Timberlake, and major stadium giants like Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Justin Bieber, Pitbull, Katy Perry, Usher, Ariana Grande, Ne-Yo, P. Diddy, Tiësto, Gwen Stefani, Empire of the Sun, Backstreet Boys, Ciara, Chris Brown, French Montana, Big Sean, and Nick Jonas.” Little Miss Nasty, fronted by Gina Katon (Gina & the Eastern Block) started out as a performance art group. They released their first original song in April, “Hungry,” along with a futuristic fluorescent light-filled video that comes with a warning about “flashing imagery that may affect those susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy of that may have other photosensitivities.”