Rocket From the Crypt, Amerikan Bear, Steam Powered Giraffe, Three Mile Pilot, Manganista

The Casbah’s month-long 35th anniversary celebration presents a reunion of one of San Diego’s best known groups from the city’s 1990s national explosion. Fronted by John Reis, Rocket From the Crypt was the band many journalists pointed to as evidence that our city’s music scene would be “the next Seattle.” The Little Italy bill includes Owl Be Damned.

Amerikan Bear at the Pour House Jan 25

Based in Vista, psychedelic soul band Amerikan Bear plays 1960s-inspired underground garage rock. Their newest release is a trippy six-song album perfect for the paisley underground called Dreams. Amerikan Bear will share the Oceanside stage with Hi-Five Ghost, on a bill that also features Alex Rasmussen, on tour from Seattle.

Steam Powered Giraffe at California Center For the Arts Jan 26

The costumed band known as Steam Powered Giraffe was created by identical twins David Michael Bennett (The Spine) and Isabella “Bunny” Bennett (as Rabbit), who, like her character, has transitioned from male to female over the course of the band’s career. Their stage show has been a staple of local theme parks, and they were even mentioned in the rebooted Animaniacs cartoon, with Pinky pondering what a Steam Powered Giraffe would eat.

Three Mile Pilot at the Casbah Jan 26

The next Casbah 35th-anniversary reunion concert features Three Mile Pilot, a storied collaboration between Pall Jenkins (Black Heart Procession) and Armistead Burwell Smith IV, aka Zach Smith (Pinback). The bill includes Smith’s band Systems Officer, and Pall Jenkins will also perform solo.

Manganista at the Kensington Club Jan 27

“Manganista just released a new song from our new 7-inch,” says band singer-percussionist Matt Rhea. “John Roy’s label Escape Hatch Records is releasing it, and will be doing some follow up digital and vinyl releases of the songs transformed into ska, reggae and dub styles.” Released this month, the 7-inch will be on sale in Kensington, where Refuz and the Hemogoblins will also perform.