The Strangulators at the Casbah
August 28
Pulp fiction meets punk rock with the Strangulators, a new band making its debut with a film-noir inspired setlist featuring members from Pony Death Ride, the Spice Pistols, and the Screamin YeeHaws. The group is the brainchild of singer-guitarist Joe Macaskill (formerly half of comedic rock duo Pony Death Ride), who began writing and recording the band’s debut concept record before assembling a live band with bassist Mike “Sppike” Muellenberg (of Elements, League of Liars, and local drag mashup The Spice Pistols), guitarist Chris Henry (the Screamin YeeHaws, Homeless Sexuals), and drummer Davey Austin (Tramplers, Shot Out Hoods). “This band is as much about visual presentation as anything else,” says Muellenberg, “with full costuming and characters as well.” The show is headlined by the Rolling Blackouts, with opening support from Spitfire Torpedo (founded by members of the Shambles, Creedle, and the Dragons).

Cheyenne Benton Album Release at Soda Bar
August 28
Cheyenne Benton will take the stage in City Heights to debut her new album Corrupted. The pop singer-songwriter was born in California City near Lancaster before relocating with her family when they moved to San Diego just before she turned five. Among the influences she cites are Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, the 1975, Lorde, Pale Waves, Kim Petras, Carly Rae Jepsen, Ke$ha, and Transviolet. Her song “Drinkin’ About U” earned a nomination for Best R&B, Funk, or Soul Song at the 2023 San Diego Music Awards. The evening also features performances by Topeka Clementine, Carrington Kelso, and Amzel.

August 29
Originally known as Rainbow Warriors, Big Mountain formed in San Diego in 1986. They first hit the charts in late spring 1993 with the song "Touch My Light," which was spun frequently on radio stations Q-106 and B-100, establishing a pop-reggae sound that inspired their nickname as "The American UB40." They earned national notice for their 1994 cover of Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way," which reached the U.S. Top 40 and appeared on the soundtrack for the film Reality Bites. Big Mountain will be opening for Jamaican headliner Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru, known for his powerful vocals, distinctive "Waterhouse" singing style, and militant lyrics.

August 30
Runaways songwriter Roni Lee began her career in Hollywood as lead guitarist for Venus and the Razorblades, a rock band created by Runaways mastermind Kim Fowley that would team up with Van Halen as their opening act for a number of shows. Van Halen later recorded the Razorblades’ song “Young and Wild.” When the Razorblades released one of the earliest U.S. punk singles in 1977, “Punkerama,” Lee was roommates with Runaways Joan Jett and Sandy West. “I Want to Be Where the Boys Are,” co-written by Lee and Kim Fowley, was included on the 1977 Runaways album Live in Japan. Her recent EP Feels Good 2 Be Badwas released via her own Play Like A Girl Records, coming with a single and video for her cover of Michael Jackson's “Dirty Diana.” Opening act Sugar Fix is a teen rock band playing what they call “youthful rock With bite.”

Earl Thomas at Winstons Beach Club
August 31
Bluesman Earl Thomas will be celebrating his 65th birthday in Ocean Beach. He started singing professionally in 1987 with the local blues/R&B band Rhumboogies, blending 1950s Chicago, Texas and West Coast blues styles. After playing their first show at Winstons and soon landing a full-fledged residency there, they went on to play up to twenty nights a month to packed crowds all over southern California. Thomas has won several San Diego Music Awards, has released over a dozen albums, and has frequently averaged two European tours a year since 1992. His songs have been covered by Etta James, Solomon Burke, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and Tom Jones. His group Kings of Rhythm frequently performs tributes to late North County musician Ike Turner, and his band the Blues Ambassadors is known for the classic “I’m Broken Hearted.”

The Strangulators at the Casbah
August 28
Pulp fiction meets punk rock with the Strangulators, a new band making its debut with a film-noir inspired setlist featuring members from Pony Death Ride, the Spice Pistols, and the Screamin YeeHaws. The group is the brainchild of singer-guitarist Joe Macaskill (formerly half of comedic rock duo Pony Death Ride), who began writing and recording the band’s debut concept record before assembling a live band with bassist Mike “Sppike” Muellenberg (of Elements, League of Liars, and local drag mashup The Spice Pistols), guitarist Chris Henry (the Screamin YeeHaws, Homeless Sexuals), and drummer Davey Austin (Tramplers, Shot Out Hoods). “This band is as much about visual presentation as anything else,” says Muellenberg, “with full costuming and characters as well.” The show is headlined by the Rolling Blackouts, with opening support from Spitfire Torpedo (founded by members of the Shambles, Creedle, and the Dragons).

Cheyenne Benton Album Release at Soda Bar
August 28
Cheyenne Benton will take the stage in City Heights to debut her new album Corrupted. The pop singer-songwriter was born in California City near Lancaster before relocating with her family when they moved to San Diego just before she turned five. Among the influences she cites are Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, the 1975, Lorde, Pale Waves, Kim Petras, Carly Rae Jepsen, Ke$ha, and Transviolet. Her song “Drinkin’ About U” earned a nomination for Best R&B, Funk, or Soul Song at the 2023 San Diego Music Awards. The evening also features performances by Topeka Clementine, Carrington Kelso, and Amzel.

August 29
Originally known as Rainbow Warriors, Big Mountain formed in San Diego in 1986. They first hit the charts in late spring 1993 with the song "Touch My Light," which was spun frequently on radio stations Q-106 and B-100, establishing a pop-reggae sound that inspired their nickname as "The American UB40." They earned national notice for their 1994 cover of Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way," which reached the U.S. Top 40 and appeared on the soundtrack for the film Reality Bites. Big Mountain will be opening for Jamaican headliner Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru, known for his powerful vocals, distinctive "Waterhouse" singing style, and militant lyrics.

August 30
Runaways songwriter Roni Lee began her career in Hollywood as lead guitarist for Venus and the Razorblades, a rock band created by Runaways mastermind Kim Fowley that would team up with Van Halen as their opening act for a number of shows. Van Halen later recorded the Razorblades’ song “Young and Wild.” When the Razorblades released one of the earliest U.S. punk singles in 1977, “Punkerama,” Lee was roommates with Runaways Joan Jett and Sandy West. “I Want to Be Where the Boys Are,” co-written by Lee and Kim Fowley, was included on the 1977 Runaways album Live in Japan. Her recent EP Feels Good 2 Be Badwas released via her own Play Like A Girl Records, coming with a single and video for her cover of Michael Jackson's “Dirty Diana.” Opening act Sugar Fix is a teen rock band playing what they call “youthful rock With bite.”

Earl Thomas at Winstons Beach Club
August 31
Bluesman Earl Thomas will be celebrating his 65th birthday in Ocean Beach. He started singing professionally in 1987 with the local blues/R&B band Rhumboogies, blending 1950s Chicago, Texas and West Coast blues styles. After playing their first show at Winstons and soon landing a full-fledged residency there, they went on to play up to twenty nights a month to packed crowds all over southern California. Thomas has won several San Diego Music Awards, has released over a dozen albums, and has frequently averaged two European tours a year since 1992. His songs have been covered by Etta James, Solomon Burke, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and Tom Jones. His group Kings of Rhythm frequently performs tributes to late North County musician Ike Turner, and his band the Blues Ambassadors is known for the classic “I’m Broken Hearted.”
