San Diego Music Encyclopedia & Database Online Now

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NEW COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL MUSIC DATABASE IS LAUNCHED

IT'S DONE!!!! And growing every hour....

If you wanna see a list of over 1,5000 San Diego bands, with links to full profiles, photos, discographies, articles, MP3s, etc, checkout http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/search/

Believe it or not, you can click on ANY LOCAL MUSICIAN'S NAME (around 4,500 musicos listed!) and bring up bios of every notable band they've ever been in! Try it here with Rob Crow ---

AND, if that wasn't cool 'nuff, click on an instrument, say like this here link to "Drums" - BAM, a list of EVERY DRUMMER IN SAN DIEGO!!!

We've been working on this massively cross-linked Local Music Database for over two years now, covering a century of San Diego history --- if you're a local performer who wants to add or edit a page, go to http://www.sandiegoreader.com/band/edit/

More anon!!!! JAS

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HERE'S THIS WEEK'S NEW Overheard in San Diego

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AND THE NEW Famous Former Neighbors

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ROCK AROUND THE TOWN TODAY/THURSDAY, JUNE 25

Live Music

• Vonzeles, Hocus, Local Band Showcase - 4th&B

• Open-Mike Night - 8Teen Arts and Cultural Center

• The Love Rangers - The Alley

• Kemosabe - Alpine Inn

• Fattburger - Anthology

• The Zeros - Bar Pink

• Tori Roze and the Hot Mess, the Flowerthief, Nicole Torres - Beauty Bar

• Carbon Leaf, Trevor Hall - Belly Up Tavern

• Paradigm - The Brew House at Eastlake

• Uli Jon Roth, Deeper Purple - Brick by Brick

• Ray Correa - The Butcher Shop

• The Sandy Chappel Quartet - Café La Maze

• Orquesta Guayo - Café Sevilla

• The Old Highway 80 Band - Calvin's Sports Bar and Restaurant

• The Beatnuts, Higher Minds - Canes

• Mambo Salvaje - Club Miami

• The B-52s, Erick Macek, Causing Problems, Tommy James & the Shondells, Poco, Nothing Ever Stays - Del Mar Fairgrounds

• Chet & the Committee - Downtown Café

• Eamon Carroll - The Field Irish Pub and Restaurant

• Federal Funk - Four Points by Sheraton

• The Mar Dels - Georges on Fifth

• Stacey Murray - La Gran Tapa

• Flock of '80s - Henry's Pub

• Skelpin' - Hensley's Flying Elephant Pub and Grill

• Xavier Rudd, Dark Shades of Blue - House of Blues

• Gary Jules - Humphrey's Backstage

• Michael Tiernan - Indulge

• Piano Bar - Jack's La Jolla — Ocean Room

• Fuzz Huzzi - Jumping Turtle

• The Donkeys - Kensington Club

• 3 EZ Pieces - The Kraken

• Josh Damigo - Lestat's

• Firefly - Main Stage Bar at Valley View Casino

• Bill Caballero - Mangia Italiano on Third

• Big City Shaman - McP's Irish Pub and Grill

• David Patrone - The Merk

• Mike Gardner - North Bar Sports and Spirits

• The Kyle Van Band - Oceanside Farmers' Market

• Live Jazz - Osetra Watergrill

• Live Music - The Palm

• Michele Lundeen & Blues Streak - Patrick's II

• Jefferson Jay Band - Portugalia

• Stepping Feet - RT's Longboard Grill

• The Ed Rapacci Duo - Red Fox Steakhouse

• Peter the Prince of Piano - Rei Do Gado Churrascuria

• The Cat-illacs - Santee Trolley Square Town Center

• Collage Menage - Second Wind Navajo

• Open jazz jam - South Park Bar & Grill

• The Corvelles - Spreckels Organ Pavilion

• Bad Habits - Tiki House

• Robin Henkel - Wine Steals

• Cash'd Out - Winstons

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The Casbah now records select shows, available on CD immediately following show at the club & www.emusiclive.com.

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  MY PERSONAL HOTPICK FOR TODAY...

Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Rolando/Cygnet Theater

 Tickets are just $20, but audience members who “drag” out and don their best Hedwig or Yitzhak costume will receive HALF PRICE TICKETS!

One winning costume will receive a FLEX PASS for Cygnet's 2009/2010 Season!

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 ARETHA FRANKLIN'S BACKSTAGE CONTRACT

Before Aretha Franklin plays the Open Sky Theater at Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort on Sunday, June 28, “Franklin is to receive from the promoter a portion of [balance due] payment in the form of $25,000 in cash…this money shall be presented by the promoter or the designated person directly to Ms. Franklin.”

 

In addition, “All air conditioning vents must be turned off or taped shut, to prevent any cold air from flowing into [Franklin’s] dressing room.” That room requires a cool mist humidifier, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, and assorted canapés.

 

The Queen of Soul also expects 50 seats gratis, and “no complimentary tickets from the Artist’s allotment are to be given to anyone except Aretha Franklin” without prior written authorization. Her hotel suite “shall not be located above the fifth floor.” 

Finally, “Artist will not perform for a segregated audience.”

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AS I LAY DYING JOINS THE "LIMITED EDITION COLLECTOR'S SHIRT" CLUB

 Blabbermouth reports: Specialty clothing line Malus Clothing has released a collaboration t-shirt with San Diego metallers AS I LAY DYING based on the band's last album, An Ocean Between Us. The shirt is available currently for a one-time-only run on Malus' web site and can be ordered at this location.

AS I LAY DYING's first-ever DVD This Is Who We Are sold 4,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on the Top Videos chart. It also debuted at No. 3 in Canada, where the DVD has already shipped platinum.

AS I LAY DYING has appeared on Taste Of Chaos, Ozzfest, headlined the 2006 Sounds Of The Underground Tour, Cornerstone, Bamboozle 2006 and just about every significant hard music festival around the globe. With "This Is Who We Are", AS I LAY DYING steps into new territory by releasing its first-ever DVD consisting of three discs produced and directed by Denise Korycki (CANNIBAL CORPSE's "Centuries of Torment" DVD) that provide viewers with live performances and a complete AS I LAY DYING audio and visual history.

"It's hard to believe that we've been a band for as long as we have yet have never released an official DVD documenting our first seven years," said vocalist Tim Lambesis. "As a result, we've included so much content that you hardly have to like our music to be entertained. With that said, it feels good knowing how many diehard fans over the years have supported our band and their simple enjoyment of our music has given us the chance to see the world!"

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122331

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NEWS SHORTS

Spin.com and antimusic.com reports: Three former members of goth rock stars Evanescence, all booted from the group over the years by frontwoman Amy Lee, are joining forces for a new band -- and they've tapped American Idol finalist Carly Smithson to contribute lead vocals.

Dublin-born Smithson, who finished sixth in the 2008 season of American Idol, joins ex-Evanescence guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody, guitarist John Lecompt, and drummer Rocky Gray in their new band, ORIGINALLY announced as being called the Fallen - more on this story

BUT...the band's name has changed to We Are The Fallen, thanks to a cease-and-desist letter from a Philadelphia band already called The Fallen. more on this and a preview of the new Alice in Chains.

MTV reports: It seemed too good (or bizarre) to be true, though with Blink-182 you never can be sure. Did Blink-182 schedule a one-off gig at a Cleveland nail salon?

That's what it said on the tour page of the band's Interscope Records site, which — for reasons not clear to anyone — showed the guys appearing at Alice's International Salon & Spa on July 10, nearly two weeks before their tour was officially scheduled to kick off in Las Vegas.

Obviously, this got Blink fans buzzing. Imagine catching Mark, Tom and Travis while luxuriating in a seaweed hydration wrap, or getting a French mani-pedi! And doing it all in beautiful Cleveland! - Sadly, it turns out the spa date wasn't legit - click here for more.

Billboard reports: It looks like Adam Lambert's debut album may not be released on 19 Recordings/RCA after all.

Sources confirm to Billboard.com that an album's worth of tracks Lambert co-wrote and recorded before "Idol" will be released in the summer by Hi Fi Recordings and Wilshire Records.

Entitled "On With The Show," the album is slated for release in the summer, months before Lambert's debut on 19/RCA is expected to drop. - more details 

Pinback have announced a tour of the US and Canada, scheduled to kick off October 17 in Tempe, AZ (more)

 www.antimusic.com reports: Rob Halford was asked by Live Daily about the band's plans for celebrating the upcoming 30th anniversary of Judas Priest's British Steel, originally issued in April 1980, by performing the album in its entirety for the first time on stages across the United States:

"We'll be recording all these shows and, at some point, we'll bring cameras in and we'll release a wonderful package of the Priest and 'British Steel' next year, which is the official 30th birthday."

"We wanted to do something a bit different on the second leg of the American tour. The first tour with Metal Masters was a great success. We were looking to give this particular tour another kind of exciting event edge to it. I think that's what we've got with presenting 'British Steel', and we have some other great people with us. We have David [Coverdale] and Whitesnake. That's another great opportunity to see two of these bands back to back. - Read the full interview

San Marcos-based Megadeth have announced Endgame as the title of their twelfth studio album. The album is expected to be released in September through Roadrunner Records. It was recorded at the band's brand new, self-built San Marcos studio, Vic's Garage, and named after the legendary and iconic Vic Rattlehead character.

Endgame is being produced by Andy Sneap and Mustaine. Sneap also manned the boards for 2007's United Abominations. Some track titles include "Headcrusher," "1,320,'" "How the Story Ends" and "This Day We Fight!"

According to the press rtelease, "Endgame boasts the technicality, ferocity and snarl that's synonymous with Megadeth and Mustaine. It's a violent masterwork that represents Mustaine's best work in nearly two decades. In a musical world dominated by bands that make generic, blanket statements, Endgame finds Mustaine, once again, making informed and substantial lyrical declarations about the state of the world we live in." - more on this story

Blink-182 plans to unveil their new song "Up All Night" on tour. Having abandoned the idea of completing a full new album as "too ambitious" before its upcoming tour, blink-182 will instead have one new song ready before it hits the road on July 23 in Las Vegas.more

As blink prepares to tour, guitarist Tom DeLonge is deeply ensconced in the next project by his other band, Angels & Airwaves -- an album and film project called "Love" that should be out before the end of the year.

DeLonge tells Billboard.com that "Love" -- which will be released for free thanks to corporate underwriting -- is "the biggest release of my life, the pinnacle of my creativity" and likens it to Pink Floyd's The Wall in the scope of its ambition.

"It's super conceptual and highbrow in many ways, very artistic, very Stanley Kubrick," he says. "But it's not a rock opera. It's a very modern version of what could happen when you blend the film industry and the music industry together in a very, very arty, kind of cool way with professionals involved all along the path." - More from Tom about the project

Scott Weiland tells ArtistDirect "I'm in the studio working on new STP music. It's coming along really, really well! We have about 18 songs written, and vocals are written on about ten of them." Read the full interview here

MySpace said Tuesday it is cutting nearly 30 percent of its work force in a bid to become more efficient, bringing its staffing level more in line with its more popular rival, Facebook. more

It's been nearly a quarter of a century since Love and Rockets formed. In 1985, current San Diegan David J (bass and vocals), Daniel Ash (guitars, saxophone, and vocals), and Kevin Haskins (drums, synthesizers) departed from being gothic rock icons with the highly coveted Bauhaus and merged sparkling new wave disco dust influenced T Rex boogie, rockabilly, punk, folk, proto-rave, and psychedelia. Their electric and eclectic blends, makes them cross over from far left to extreme right in one quick swoop which not only leaves their music timeless and classic but most memorable and to be shared, listened to and indulged in any decade.

So it's only natural that eventually similar minded multi-facted artists including both legends such as Flaming Lips, Frank Black, Stephen Perkins of Janes Addiction, Dandy Warhols, Snowden, and newer buzzworthy acts A Place to Bury Strangers, War Tapes, and Blakq Audio pay their respect to a band whom had influenced their style. Indeed, it all does circle back into one big ball of confusion. - more on this story

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 WHAT I'M WATCHING...

IMDB synopsis: - A fashion model moves into a house inhabited (on the top floor) by a blind priest. She begins having strange physical problems, has trouble sleeping at night, and has some nasty flashbacks of her attempted suicide. She complains to the real estate agent of the noise caused by her strange neighbors, but finds out that the house is only occupied by the priest and herself, and ultimately discovers that she has been put in the house for a reason.

Boy, 1977's the Sentinel is better than I remembered. When I saw it new in theaters as a young teen, I didn't have the patience for the very gradual buildup, and I don't even remember most of the flick. It was a treat to finally re-watch, and see so many later stars like Chris Walken, Jeff Goldblum, and Beverly D'Angelo, not too mention old Hollywood faves like Burgess Meredith, Ava Gardner, and John Carradine.

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 Whether or not you're a fan of Will Ferrell...Try Stranger Than Fiction sometime! Seemingly loosely inspired by "Secret Cinema," an obscure cult film by Paul "Eating Raoul" Bartel, Ferrell's character suddenly hears an unseen narrator telling his life story, with foreshadowing and hints of worrisome events to come. Ferrell seeks out Dustin Hoffman, who has written about writing and seems to understand that Ferrell is a character in a story and must do certain things that adhere to certain narrative structures.

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 One of the more interesting aspects of the movie is how Ferrell's obsessive compulsive disorder is actually illustrated by bits of animations that show us how his compartmentalized mind is working - surprisingly fine little film that few seem to have heard of, let alone seen.

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LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, CBS

Tu 6/23: Sandra Day O'Connor, MSTRKRFT with John Legend
We 6/24: Ray Romano, St. Vincent
Th 6/25: Johnny Depp, Megan Fox
Fr 6/26: Martin Short, Regina Spektor

Mo 6/29: Jessica Biel, Zach Galifianakis, Steve Earle (R 6/3/09)
Tu 6/30: Michael J. Fox, the Fray (R 4/2/09)
We 7/1: Denzel Washington, the Jonas Brothers, a Top Ten List presented by Regis Philbin (R 6/11/09)
Th 7/2: Sandra Bullock, Pete Correale, P.J. Harvey and John Parish (R 6/12/09)
Fr 7/3: Kid Scientists, Teri Hatcher, Rick Ross with Magazeen, a Top Ten List presented by Ron Howard (R 5/14/09)

THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN, NBC

Tu 6/23: Lisa Kudrow, Billy Mays & Anthony Sullivan, Elvis Costello
We 6/24: Brandon McMillan, Kerry Washington, Wilco
Th 6/25: Bruno, Cirque du Soleil Zumanity
Fr 6/26: Snoop Dogg, Adele

Mo 6/29: Tom Hanks, Green Day (R 6/2/09)
Tu 6/30: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joel McHale, John Mayer Trio (R 6/4/09)
We 7/1: Eddie Murphy, Angela Kinsey, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal (R 6/9/09)
Th 7/2: Norm MacDonald, Jim Gaffigan, Neko Case (R 6/11/09)
Fr 7/3: Kobe Bryant, William Shatner, Incubus (R 6/17/09)

LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON, CBS

Tu 6/23: Jim Parsons, James Frey
We 6/24: Mary Steenburgen, Bettye LaVette, Todd Sawyer
Th 6/25: Larry David, Wolfgang Puck
Fr 6/26: Lisa Kudrow, Alan Furst, Chairlift

Mo 6/29: Michael Douglas, Carrie Ann Inaba (R 4/30/09)
Tu 6/30: Teri Hatcher, Martina McBride (R 4/23/09)
We 7/1: Denis Leary, Diane Birch (R 6/2/09)
Th 7/2: John McEnroe (R 4/28/09)
Fr 7/3: Matthew McConaughey, Cokie Roberts (R 5/7/09)

LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON, NBC

Tu 6/23: Abigail Breslin, James Purefoy, Blake Griffin, Iggy Pop & the Brighton Port Authority
We 6/24: Richard Branson, Neil deGrasse Tyson, the Roots
Th 6/25: Tiger Woods, Evan Rachel Wood, Dinosaur Jr.
Fr 6/26: Cameron Diaz, Universal Record Database, Grizzly Bear

Mo 6/29: Ice-T, Elmo, Morgan Webb, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (R 4/15/09)
Tu 6/30: Seth Meyers, Michelle Trachtenberg, BMX rider Mike Spinner (R 4/22/09)
We 7/1: Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Joan Rivers, Rachael Ray (R 5/8/09)
Th 7/2: Maya Rudolph, Damon Wayans Jr., Asher Roth (R 5/14/09)
Fr 7/3: Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Baldwin, Keane (R 5/26/09)

Mo 7/6: Andy Samberg, Jorge Garcia, the Lonely Island (R 5/12/09)
Tu 7/7: Anne Hathaway, Will Forte, Jon Favreau, Mario Batali (R 6/1/09)
We 7/8: Kelly Ripa, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Amadou & Mariam (R 6/8/09)
Th 7/9: Steve Martin, Paul Simon, Vanessa Williams (R 6/2/09)
Fr 7/10: Will Ferrell, Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def (R 6/9/09)

LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY, NBC

Tu 6/23: Jason Bentley, Crocodiles
We 6/24: Ida Maria
Th 6/25: Bat For Lashes
Fr 6/26: TBA

Mo 6/29: Melanie Fiona (R 3/2/09)
Tu 6/30: Charles Hamilton (R 3/3/09)
We 7/1: Little Boots (R 3/4/09)
Th 7/2: Robert Francis (R 3/5/09)
Fr 7/3: N.A.S.A. (R 3/6/09)

Mo 7/6: Robin Thicke (R 3/10/09)
Tu 7/7: Patton Oswalt, M83 (R 3/11/09)
We 7/8: Ken Jeong, Delta Spirit (R 3/12/09)
Th 7/9: Steve-O, Nico Vega (R 3/13/09)
Fr 7/10: Tom Green, Mishka (R 3/17/09)

THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, Comedy Central

Tu 6/23: Larry David
We 6/24: Reza Aslan
Th 6/25: Cameron Diaz

THE COLBERT REPORT, Comedy Central

Tu 6/23: Howard Dean, David Kilcullen
We 6/24: Matthew Crawford
Th 6/25: Jim Fouratt

JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, ABC

Tu 6/23: David Arquette, Jill Wagner, Linkin Park
We 6/24: Josh Duhamel, Tracy Hutson, Bat For Lashes
Th 6/25: Shia LaBeouf, June Diane Raphael, Eric Hutchinson
Fr 6/26: Megan Fox, David Cross, Phoenix

Mo 6/29: Paris Hilton, Ken Jeong, Blink 182 (R 6/9/09)
Tu 6/30: TBA
We 7/1: Shia LaBeouf, June Diane Raphael, Eric Hutchinson (R 6/25/09)
Th 7/2: Megan Fox, David Cross, Phoenix (R 6/26/09)
Fr 7/3: Josh Duhamel, Tracy Hutson (R 6/24/09)

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, syndicated

Tu 6/23: Dustin Hoffman, Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, 6-year-old solar-system enthusiast Brandt Bickford (R 1/14/09)
We 6/24: Anderson Cooper, Katy Perry (R 3/19/09)
Th 6/25: Steve Martin (R 5/25/09)
Fr 6/26: George Lopez, No Doubt (R 5/19/09)

Mo 6/29: Ted Danson, Ernie Bjorkman (R 1/28/09)
Tu 6/30: Bette Midler, Pink, Hans Klok (R 11/24/08)
We 7/1: Wayne Dyer, Queen Latifah, Rob Thomas (R 5/22/09)

TAVIS SMILEY, PBS

Tu 6/23: Francis Ford Coppola
We 6/24: Femi Kuti
Th 6/25: Mary Mary
Fr 6/26: Katty Kay, Paul Giamatti

CHELSEA LATELY, E!

Tu 6/23: Tyrese Gibson, Jo Koy, Guy Branum, Christian Finnegan
We 6/24: Penn and Teller, Ben Gleib, Whitney Cummings, T.J. Miller
Th 6/25: Holly Williams, Bryan Callen, Chris Franjola, Ken Baker (R 6/18/09)
Fr 6/26: MC Hammer, John Caparulo, Ross Mathews, Sarah Colonna (R 6/16/09)

Mo 6/29: Brooke Hogan, Michael Yo, Josh Wolf, Natasha Leggero
Tu 6/30: Lauren Conrad, Kevin Hart, Jo Koy, Jen Kirkman
We 7/1: Greg Proops, Sarah Colonna, Ross Mathews
Th 7/2: Heather McDonald, John Caparulo
Fr 7/3: Derek Fisher, Randy Sklar, Jason Sklar, Jeff Wild, Sarah Colonna (R 6/22/09)

Mo 7/6: Brooke Burke, Chris Hardwick, Gary Valentine, Megyn Price
Tu 7/7: Penn and Teller, Ben Gleib, Whitney Cummings, T.J. Miller (R 6/24/09)
We 7/8: Michael Buble, Josh Wolf, Brad Wollack, Whitney Cummings
Th 7/9: Chris Franjola, Loni Love, Janet Varney
Fr 7/10: Brooke Hogan, Michael Yo, Josh Wolf, Natasha Leggero (R 6/29/09)

THE HOUR WITH GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS, CBC

Tu 6/23: David Frost, Super Dave Osborne, David Foster (R)
We 6/24: Mafiaboy, Farley Mowat, Spike Lee (R)
Th 6/25: Barbara Walters, Gordan Ramsay, Michael Buble (R)
Fr 6/26: Paul Martin, Valerie Bertinelli, Bob Newhart (R)

THE BONNIE HUNT SHOW, syndicated

Tu 6/23: Zachary Levi, Tony Hawk (R 11/7/08)
We 6/24: Jeff Probst, Debbie Reynolds, 7-year-old chef Jake Littell (R 3/5/09)
Th 6/25: Tom Bergeron, Lisa Lillien
Fr 6/26: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddy Rodriguez, REO Speedwagon (R 12/12/08)

Mo 6/29: Sherri Shepherd, tennis player James Blake (R 3/10/09)
Tu 6/30: Denis Leary, Aisha Tyler (R 12/3/08)
We 7/1: Kyra Sedgwick, Micky Dolenz, Nick Malis (R 1/26/09)

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 CATHRYN BEEKS’ WEEKLY LISTEN LOCAL HOTSHEET  

 

Saturday 6/27 - Every Saturday afternoon join me at 3pm at Canes in Mission Beach for The KPRI Homegrown Concerts at The Beach series brought to you by Scion.  No cover, prizes, great food, easy parking and amazing music.  This week hear The Flowerthief at 3:00, Trophy Wife at 4:00.  See you there!

MUSIC NEWS

 Artist of the Week:  People are making their Listen Local debut this Wednesday night, Backstage at The Bitter End at 9pm.  They ROCK so don't miss them. 

 Link of the Week:  Thanks to Facebook I've been reconnecting with some of my high school peeps from 20+ years ago (ouch).  One friend is now an AMAZING artist.  Art by Shano is where you can see some of what she does and soon I'll be showing off the cover of my new CD Mood Swing.  She's incredible and has really fun products, Visit her site and purchase her goodies!   

 San Diego's favorite Mexican/Filipino hip hop artist, Cookoo, reaches Top 10 against all odds.  Help him win this thing!

 You've seen him in a bunny suit, how about a bathing suit?Christopher Dale & Friends goes Poolside on Wednesdays for happy hour at The Handlery for the next 3 months.  It's all ages, free and you get out just in time to head to The Bitter End for more free, LIVE music.  

 Aquatic Adventures is a San Diego-based non-profit organization that provides free education to urban, low-income children about science, ocean and nature creating the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders.  They're having a fundraising gala on Saturday, October 3rd, at the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla and they're looking for auction items from the local music community.  CDs and maybe even a "private concert at your home", etc.  Use your imagination and then contact Hande Jones for more info. 

 Get on TEAM DEEZ.  The Living Room Heroes is a team that singer/songwriter Rob Deez has assembled to walk in The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.  The event is happening on August 15th downtown San Diego and is 24 hours of music, food and walking.  Rob says there's a $10 donation required to sign up but if you can't swing it he'll spot you.  He's a baller like that.  You can also just make a donation so give him a shout for more info.  

 The good news is Kristen Cusato has Dawn Mitschele on Channel 9 at 9:45am this Saturday and Podunk Nowhere same time/channel on Sunday.  Love us some Cusato!

 Speaking of Walking...Walk the Walk Presents:  Sight & Sound.  Held every last Saturday, Sight & Sound is the monthly creative arts celebration featuring wild performances and unique exhibitions.  June’s Sight & Sound will feature performances from rock band Apes of Wrath, provocative song & dance from Caburlesque Kittens, didgeridu wizardry from Mitchell Walker, and many more. DJ Skullcrusher spins.  Exhibitors include House of Blues giving away free tickets to their July calendar, sneak peeks at Pride and Comic-Con, and live painting from Brent Tilton.  Proceeds from Sight & Sound benefit the Autism Research Institute. Attendees must be at least 21 years old; complimentary beverage with paid admission before 8:00.  Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 7pm at Planet Rooth Gallery,    3811 Ray Street. $5 in advance online at www.walkthewalkpresents.com

 The Game happens again on July 26th at The Oasis! Songwriters, write a tune to the title Slow Going and come on down to play it - get writing!

 North Park Music Thing is happening August 7th through the 9th and you can still be part of it.  Go here for submission information and details.

 Shows are posted here, if you missed this Saturday you can hear it at kprifm.com this Friday.  Join The Homegrown Hour Mailing List!

That's it for this week, see you at a show!
Cathryn
ListenLocalsd.com

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 STRIPPER POKER - LOCAL INTERNET CAFE WITH PORN CONNECTION SPECIALIZES IN ONLINE GAMING

BUT IS IT LEGAL?

The low key sign above an otherwise indistinguishable strip mall shop at 6311 University Avenue reads Lucky Internet Cafe, wherein patrons access internet time by purchasing a card that reads “Lucky JOLAR Internet Cafe.” Swiping the cash-reloadable cards (average $20 each) in any of the twenty-four computer terminals opens a startup screen with various internet gaming options, each accessing a website where customers can place bets and – if they win – collect their cash on-site from a Café staffer.

 

 “Jolar” – which only appears on the internet card, not the Café sign - also happens to be the name of the X-rated peep show arcade and strip club next door at 6321 University, wherein women perform nude shows for individuals in “Private Talk Show” booths.

 

 Both Jolar and the Lucky Internet Café are operated by longtime local smut peddler Harry Mohney, once called by the Meese Commission the second biggest pornographer in the U.S. Having gained notoriety over a $14 million tax bill and serving a three year prison stretch for tax evasion, Mohney founded and runs the Deja Vu Showgirls chain of strip clubs, as well as operating Larry Flynt’s Hustler Clubs.

 

Jolar, a combination porn shop, peep show arcade, and strip club, opened on Broadway downtown in 1978, before moving to its present location near College and University in 1983. Mohney’s other local porn endeavors have included everything from 8mm peep show arcades in the ‘70s to x-rated film production (Caribbean Films) at his La Costa home on 2520 La Costa Avenue in the ‘80s. In the mid-'80s, Jolar was taking in from $12,000 to $20,000 per week, much of that in peep show quarters.

 

 More recent local porn businesses operated locally by Mohney include the Déjà Vu Love Boutique in El Cajon (run by one of Mohney's sons) and the Barnett Superstore near the airport, with the latter locale featuring the same Talk Show Booths (and many of the same Live Nudes) found at Jolar on University.

 

Of Mohney’s current local business interests, the Lucky Internet Café may be the one most scrutinized by authorities. With all its computers set on internet games like blackjack, keno, poker, and electronic slots, are patrons just buying internet time, or are they gambling? Does sale of the Lucky Jolar swipe cards qualify as a legal sweepstakes, or illegal betting? If the gaming sites themselves are illegal, as alleged by most federal interpretations of current law, is the Lucky Internet Café aiding and abetting illegal gambling by setting all their computers on such sites?

 

What about the Café paying off the winners on-site – does that qualify the Café as an unlicensed (and illegal) casino? Which business is the customer patronizing - and collecting their winnings from - the website, the Café, or both?

 

Is even naming itself “Lucky” on the sign out front perhaps Mohney’s bid to attract gaming clientele, rather than the coffee slurping MySpace surfers found at internet cafes where the startup screens AREN’T all loaded with onramps to gambling websites?

 

 In the past, Mohney has circumvented local vice-related ordinances by creatively and aggressively challenging the letter of the laws. In 1985, the City changed the rules for peep-show establishments, as defined in section 33.3302, division 33 of the municipal code, stating that businesses licensed for booths had to screen at least 51 percent non-X-rated material in order to keep their operational licenses.

 

Instead of shutting down the peeps, as probably intended, the ordinance resulted in Mohney’s booths running whatever non-X film stock his managers could find, including cartoons and old boxing films. The ordinance was later challenged and defeated, having done little but create porn shops rocking to the sounds of both cinematic sex and Elmer Fudd singing “Kill Da Wabbit.”

 

 The following year, the city’s vice department began requiring x-rated peep show operators to remove all doors that might hide activities being conducted within. Vice enforced the rule by citing or arresting any employees found on a premises lacking doors on the booths.

 

Jolar lawyer George Haverstock advised Mohney to install swinging saloon style half-doors that barely managed to meet the new requirements, while still hiding booth activities from prying eyes, including vice cops, successfully keeping the matter tied up in the courts for years.

 

Mohney has spent a lot of time in court himself. Aside from countless criminal complaints, and the 14 million dollar tax bill that sent him to prison upstate in Boron, he's been sued a number of times, most notably by former mistress and porn star Gail Palmer, with whom he produced the successful "Candy" series of porn films.

  

The space at 6311 University housing the Lucky Internet Café was formerly home to a Metabolife dealership, an operation that experienced its own protracted set of legal problems. The entire half-block strip mall, which has also housed thrift stores, a check cashing store, and a pizza parlor, is owned by one of Mohney’s companies.

 

The California Attorney General’s office is looking into the legality of online gaming at internet cafes, as is the local District Attorney’s office, according to Channel 10 news report aired on June 11.

 

FOR THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE ARTICLE EVER DONE ON HARRY MOHNEY'S PORN EMPIRE, SEE THIS READER FEATURE:

 

Battle of the Peeps - An Insider History of San Diego Porn Shops 

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WHY CHUCK CAN'T HEAR

“Back then, we were always looking for number 11 on the loudness dial,” says Chuck Lapinsky, a working drummer for over 40 years until hearing loss forced his retirement. “We didn’t use ear protection, because it was seen as a sign of weakness. Boy, how wrong we were.”

 

“When my music career started in Chicago and the midwest, our stage monitors and amps were as large as possible. That’s what people wanted, and I wore a complete headset onstage for many years. In retrospect, that was a really bad decision.” Audiologists now believe that headsets focus damage to the ear’s cochlea, resulting in Tinnitus and other hearing ailments.

 

Today, Lapinsky shoots photographs around town (www.myspace.com/chuckl2432), a gig that still finds him working at concerts. “The ear protection much better than in the past,” he says. “I use regular earplugs in front of the stage, and I keep that time to a minimum. I do a lot of shooting from onstage right or left, or backstage when I’m able to get access. I also use a zoom that lets me back off a bit. If it gets too loud, I take a break.” He says he’s only drummed “a handful of times” over the past few years.

 

Musicians who’ve talked publicly about hearing loss include Ike Turner, Pete Townshend, Lars Ulrich, Bob Mould, and Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum.

 

  “There’s no cure for Tinnitus or hearing loss,” warns otolaryngologist Dr. Sam Levine. He recommends being tested by an audiologist at the first sign of hearing difficulty or damage. “Your ears are trying to tell you something. That ringing is the scream of your hair cells dying.”

 

Related links

 

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THE DAY TORI ROZE ALMOST MET GWEN STEFANI (PLUS, HOW A LOCAL THEATER GROUP ALMOST BECAME THE FIRST SNL CAST)...

This week’s new issue has a Musician Interview with songstress Tori Roze ("Like Stank on Erykah"). We had no space to include her entertaining brush with entertainment royalty, but here ‘tis below -----

 

“I used to call my car the No Doubt Mobile, aptly named because it was covered in a plethora of No Doubt garb, fully inclusive of a key chain dangling from the rearview that I made, with Gwen Stefani’s mug right in the middle of it. When I was 18, I was going to Melrose in L.A. to meet up with my boyfriend at a restaurant called Johnny Rocket’s. I found the restaurant, looked for the closest parking, and managed to park myself directly in front of a pine green Jaguar.”

 

“As I got out, a man from the Jaguar popped out who bore a striking resemblance Gavin Rossdale [Stefani’s husband]. Upon finishing lunch, I told my boyfriend that we should go back to my car to see if it was really him. So as we approach my car, not only do we see Gavin but, oh no, Gwen Stefani and her entire family were taking pictures on the front lawn of her brother’s house! I just kinda stood there in shock, looking like a complete fool with my No Doubt Mobile accidentally parked dead in front of Gavin and Gwen’s Jaguar. Talk about fate. I must have looked like a complete stalker.”

 

“I stood next to Gavin and asked him how it was going, but Gwen was very reluctant to cross the street and get in the car where he and I were standing. I’m sure he told her about seeing my car an hour prior, and there I was, faux stalker extraordinaire, looking so starstruck that my boyfriend ended up ditching me. Being the considerate and oh-so-cool person that I am, I walked away like it was no big deal, so that Gwen could feel comfortable about getting into her car. But I know they both sat in that car behind my bad-ass No Doubt Mobile and talked about me for the next five minutes.”

 

 Also, Tori’s Mom (who plays in Tori’s band) revealed some fascinating back info about Indian Magique, a theater group that won the Canadian Emmy for Best Comedy Show in 1977. Both Tori’s parents were involved with the troupe, which played a large part in launching the San Diego rep and ALMOST became the first cast of Saturday Night Live…

 

"It was a sketch variety show ala Saturday Night Live for Metro Productions. We wrote for it and Bernard Baldan, Franz Muhr, & Ralph Steadman starred in it. Indian Magique was the precursor to what is now the Rep. The Rep would not even exist if it hadn't been for Christopher R - Tori's dad. He brought Sam Woodhouse and Doug Schmidt, the now-recognized, established directors, into the company.”

 

“This same ensemble performed at a number of the Comedy Stores, was invited to perform on The Tonight Show by Victor Buono when he was hosting. Got canned for a flawed demotape viewed at the last minute by the talent coordinator for the show, and missed an opportunity for doing SNL as a result."

 

Tori further explains “Indian Magique was a band of hippies coming together doing theatrically innovative everything. You name it, they did it and well. They had a lot of potential; however, they sadly lost the opportunity to become SNL before it even existed, due to a flaw in their reel because the wrong tape had been put in the right hands. They were essentially the answer to what was being sought by the masses. in a time where the collective consciousness was picking up what they were putting down.”

Related links

• Musician Interview: "Like Stank on Erykah"
• www.myspace.com/toriroze 

Upcoming Shows

• The Bitter End, Thursday, July 9
• U-31, Wednesday, July 22

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SLIGHTLY STOOPID, BLAZED, AND CONFUSED

Mickey Avalon is the latest act to join co-headliners Slightly Stoopid and Snoop Dogg, along with Stephen Marley, on this summer’s not-to-be-missed Blazed And Confused tour.

Reggae-influenced punkers Slightly Stoopid embarked on their first headlining run of US amphitheaters last summer and will continue supporting their 2008 album, Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid. The record, which marks the group's ninth release, includes outtakes, rarities and "brand new studio joints."

Additional shows at Bicentennial Park in Miami, FL on Saturday, August 1 and the St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Saint Augustine, FL on Sunday, August 2 have been added to the itinerary.

7/10 Primm, NV Star of the Desert Arena
7/11 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7/12 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
7/14 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
7/15 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
7/17 Portland, OR Memorial Coliseum
7/18 George, WA The Gorge Amphitheatre
7/19 Boise, ID Idaho Center Amphitheater
7/20 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
7/22 Vancouver, BC Pacific Coliseum
7/24 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
7/25 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
7/30 Atlanta, GA Masquerade Music Park
7/31 St. Petersburg, FL Vinoy Park
8/1 Miami, FL Bicentennial Park
8/2 Saint Augustine, FL St. Johns County Fairgrounds
8/5 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
8/6 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
8/7 Philadelphia, PA Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
8/8 Boston, MA Comcast Center

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SAN DIEGO MUSIC 4 A CAUSE - FOR THE CRITTERS

Haggerty met Buschle on Election Day 2008, while both were campaigning for Proposition 2. "Carissa works for Greenpeace, an independent global campaigning organization that acts to change attitudes and behavior, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace."

  "I work for the Animal Protection and Rescue League, a local nonprofit organization which works to expose animal cruelty behind closed doors, educates the public on animals issues through outreach campaigns, and works with policymakers to implement humane change!"

"We share a love for the local music scene, and we quickly saw an amazing way to connect San Diego musicians with the local organizations fighting for humane and social change. Our goal is to support local organizations while showcasing the San Diego bands we all love, with the support from local venues."

"Right now we are planning a benefit show for APRL's SealWatch campaign. It will be at the Beauty Bar on El Cajon. We are also hoping to hold another benefit show at the Ruby room soon after. We have a number of bands excited to contribute to the cause, and so we have yet to solidify the line-ups and dates."

"We are working on posting a set schedule. In the meantime, APRL will have a booth at the upcoming Ocean Beach Street Fair, Saturday June 27th. We would love to chat with anyone interested in becoming involved."

 "Bands interested in playing a benefit show can contact us via myspace, and we will get in touch!" http://www.myspace.com/sdmusic4acause

Animal Protection and Rescue League - www.aprl.org --- Animal Acres - www.animalacres.org --- San Diego Animal Advocates - www.animaladvocates.org --- San Diego Green Peace - www.greenpeace.org/usa --- Guide Dogs of the Desert International - www.guidedogsofthedesert.org --- HandicappedPets.com - www.handicappedpets.com

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PAUL McCARTNEY IN SAN DIEGO

6-16-76 – Paul McCartney and Wings played the San Diego Sports Arena: McCartney brought his Wings Over America tour to the Sports Arena just as Wings at the Speed of Sound was topping the U.S. charts. "They flew in on a private jet, [and] people literally wept when McCartney hit the stage," recalls local music historian and Shambles front man Bart Mendoza. "He played a hit-filled show, lasting just over two hours, and included a few Beatles tunes -- 'I've Just Seen a Face,' 'Lady Madonna,' etc. -- but stuck heavily to his solo tunes." Mendoza says that a high point came with "a pyrotechnic-laden 'Live and Let Die.' But the defining moment was likely those first two seconds as the crowd realized that, yes, he was about to play 'Yesterday.' It was pandemonium."

Several songs from this show appear on the bootleg album Oriental Nightfish, produced in 1977 by Reading Railroad Records (aka Hoffman Avenue Industries, Inc.). A double LP on colored vinyl, San Diego cuts include "Jet," "Magneto and Titanium Man," "My Love," "Soily," and "Beware My Love."

27 YEARS LATER, McCARTNEY RETURNED TO SAN DIEGO...

(Beatle at birthday bash)

2-22-03 – Paul McCartney plays a private party in Rancho Santa Fe: When Ralph Whitworth threw his wife a 50th birthday party at Delicias restaurant, he forked out a million bucks (for charity) to have McCartney perform for the crowd of around 150. Macca and band (including guitarist Rusty Anderson) did 19 songs, as well as the Beatles' rarely performed "Birthday" (which was later added to the tour's setlist).

In a press release, McCartney said, "Normally I don't do this sort of gig, but I was chuffed to do it because it was a 'win-win' show. Ralph gets to be the great husband for organizing the surprise, his wife gets a rocking party, I get to rehearse the band for the tour, and most important, Adopt-A-Minefield gets one million dollars."

"Crasher" columnist Josh Board knows Rusty Anderson's sister, who lives in San Diego. "The day after the Rancho Santa Fe concert, I called to ask if she was there. She said, 'No, I didn't make it. Rusty left a few messages on my machine, but I got them too late. I can't believe it. For them to be so close like that. And I went all the way to Russia to see them.'"

Less than a year later, the Whitworths filed for divorce.

  http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/dec/05/29-years-ago-today-iggy-pop-at-the-catamaran-plus-/

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LOCALS YOU SHOULD KNOW

  The Secret Seven, with Zachary Goode of of the Weezer parody band Geezer, made their live debut in late April, 2009, at the Whistle Stop. "We're done tracking guitar, bass, and drums for fourteen original songs," said Goode at the time. "Vocals and overdubs are up next..."

Related links

• MySpace page

 Staring at Strange is fronted by Kelly Eismann, who was classically trained and is said to have a three-octave range. She sang with her father’s jazz groups before making her way through various punk and metal bands.

**************************************************** ***************************************************** I rarely post video to this blog, but this tune "Sex With Ducks" is the best and funniest video I've seen in at least a year, since I came across White Gold doing "Is It Me Or Do You Love My Hair"!! And, what the hell, here's the aforementioned White Gold vid -------- For the inside WTF-scoop on White Gold, checkout http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/apr/18/saturday-round-town-plus-lost-local-supergroups-ma ****************************************************

DELTA SPIRIT'S WORST AND WEIRDEST GIGS

Jon Jameson of Delta Spirit recently told LAist about the band's worst and weirdest gigs: What was the worst show you ever played? (laughs) Lawrence, Kansas. We played the worst show ever. We kept getting shocked the whole night by the mics. All of us just really hated it. We thought we were going to get electrocuted. But at some point we just realized, "Ok this show is total sh-t," and had a crazy Nirvana spaz out jam session at the end. Did the audience like it? Maybe, who knows? We're usually really friendly after the show and like to hang out, but that night we couldn’t face it. But we're going back to Lawrence on our next tour, and we're going to redeem ourselves! What is the weirdest thing you ever saw at a show? We played this show with Matt Costa in Florida one time that was totally weird. That tour for some reason we had six shows in Florida. At this place the stage was a fake boat and the audience was dancing on the sand. Next to this stage was this fake lagoon. It was like a really bizarre MTV beach house. Would you rather be burned alive or frozen to death? Oh, frozen for sure. Because there is always a chance you would always get warm. But if your hot there's no escape. I mean if you're frozen there is always hope that a St. Bernard will show up with a barrel full of whiskey . Whiskey doesn’t help in a fire. Complete interview:

http://laist.com/2009/01/16/interview_jon_jameson_of_the_delta.php

Before there WAS a Delta Spirit, drummer Brandon Young and bassist Jon Jameson were both in Noise Ratchet. After deciding to form a new group together, Young came across singer Matt Vasquez at a trolley station, where he was standing on a bench and singing to passersby. The trio became a band, joined by guitarist Sean Walker, and you-name-it-I-play-it Kelly Winrich. Regarding the band's name, Jon Jameson says "My mom’s Uncle Red, from Birmingham, Alabama, had a taxidermy shop called Delta Spirit Taxidermy Station of North Central Alabama." The band first garnered attention while touring with Tokyo Police Club, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and their Monarchy Music labelmates (and fellow religious refugees) Cold War Kids. The group's rootsy debut EP I Think I've Found It ranked number nine on the Best of '07 list at the influential music blog Daytrotter. Word of mouth about their fiery stage shows caused ever-growing crowds, though offbeat antics like playing trash can lids as instruments didn't always endear them to audiences expecting mainstream indie rock. In summer 2007, they convened in Julian to stay in a friend's cabin and record a full length album, called Ode to Sunshine. They also recorded in a studio built in the basement of Kelly Winrich's parents' house, located on the beach in San Clemente. After circulating copies of the album themselves, the band was signed by Rounder Records in 2008, with the label re-releasing Ode to Sunshine. Rounder's remastered version of the album includes an additional song, "Streetwalker," taken from the EP and re-recorded. They made their network TV debut on September 3, 2008, on Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Their song "Trashcan," featuring an actual trashcan lid used as a percussion instrument, has become a popular radio hit.

Related links

• Blurt (Dec. 3, 2008)
• Website
• Alternate website

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HIDDEN TRACKS - THE SHAMBLES AND MANUAL SCAN -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, but you gotta find ‘em ---- http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/21/delta-spirits-worst-and-weirdest-plus-breakups-and/

************************************************** Concert Security Wars: Battle of the Bouncers -- San Diego security firms fight (AND SUE) for their right to bounce you! http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/apr/24/concert-security-wars-battle-of-the-bouncers/ ***************************************************** **********************************************

"Rock Operas Were Born in San Diego" - Didja know the world's first-ever actual rock opera was staged in San Diego? "An Eye in Each Head" creator Anthony Adams is still in the stage rock biz, at the North Park Theater... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/31/rock-operas-leaving-town-plus-playing-with-michael/

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"Midnight Movies - the '80s Part 1" - The Fine Arts Theater, the Unicorn, the Guild, the Academy, the Loma and La Paloma, the Ken Cinema, the Strand in OB - for a time, the midnight movie crowd was its own sort of stoner subculture. Several historic cult movie events happened right here in SD, including the first-ever audience participation performance along with Phantom of the Paradise.... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/nov/09/more-on-brick-by-bricks-new-hip-hop-showcase-plus-/

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"Why Jackson Browne Hates Former Reader Contrib Richard Meltzer" - The first time Jackson Browne was profiled Rolling Stone [June 22, 1972], Richard Meltzer did the interview. When Meltzer called the singer "one hell of a prototype sex symbol for the gay rock underground," Browne was VERY unhappy....  http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/nov/09/more-on-brick-by-bricks-new-hip-hop-showcase-plus-/

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"An Extreme Elvis Is a Naked Elvis" - Extreme Elvis doesn’t play San Diego much any more. "I’m banned from all the clubs in town," he says. "They booted me off the stage at one place [Brick By Brick] after about five minutes".....  http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/oct/22/worst-musical-halloween-costumes-plus-rock-op92d7a/

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 "The Celebrity House Hunter" - A local real estate agent talks about driving celebs like George Harrison and Bread singer David Gates around town, in search of new digs... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/oct/22/worst-musical-halloween-costumes-plus-rock-op92d7a/

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  "Judge Judy Takes On the Belly Up Tavern" - So I was watching an afternoon repeat of Judge Judy (I like it when she yells at dumbasses), and lo and behold the episode involved the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. It was the case of “Beauty and the Bouncers”... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/oct/22/worst-musical-halloween-costumes-plus-rock-op92d7a/

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"Playing With Michael Jackson's Head [Guitarist]" - Local string whiz Jennifer Batten has played with the Great Gloved One, Jeff Beck, Slash, and many more... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/31/rock-operas-leaving-town-plus-playing-with-michael/

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 "Whales Are Changing Their Tune" - according to Professor John Hildebrand, a blue whale expert at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD who has studied recordings of whales “singing” since the 1960s.   http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/31/rock-operas-leaving-town-plus-playing-with-michael/

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"[Paint]Brushes with Fame" - profiling three album cover and concert poster painters; Mike Clift (Psychotic Waltz, Tipper Gore's Comics & Stories), Geo (Fairfield Fats Band, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes), and Ken Meyer, Jr. (Marvel's Ghost Rider, Alternative Comics). http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/31/rock-operas-leaving-town-plus-playing-with-michael/ ****************************************************

"RIP Alton Kelley: King of Collage, Prince of Prints" - my unpublished 1999 interview with the late album cover and poster legend, who died in June ’08. Together with Stanley Mouse, Kelley virtually created the very look of an entire era. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/31/rock-operas-leaving-town-plus-playing-with-michael/

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"RIP Dave Stevens: Rocketeer Creator" - tribute to another fallen Great One, longtime San Diegan Dave Stevens.   http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/31/rock-operas-leaving-town-plus-playing-with-michael/

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"Where Have All The Deadheads Gone?" Local flower children, after the head Deadhead was dead. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/31/rock-operas-leaving-town-plus-playing-with-michael/

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Blacks Beach - Partying nekkid with the children of the Rainbow (and some OCD Beatles fans).  http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/31/rock-operas-leaving-town-plus-playing-with-michael/

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THE KOMPLETE KISS KOMIX KRONICLES - Comprehensive collection of stuff I’ve done about working with Kiss on a comic book series, along with a bunch of never-before-seen artifacts from the Kiss Komix archives AND an article by Kiss comic author Spike Steffenhagen, offering his own very-different take, ala Rashomon, on the same events I describe in my essay...

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/12/komplete-kiss-komix-kronicles

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LOCALS REVEAL THEMSELVES - We asked 75 local musicos to tell us something few would know or guess -----

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/11/75-secrets-about-75-san-diego-musicians

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LOCAL ROCK CHICKS - “It’s not easy being a chick rocker,” says Vv Loveland of Scary Mary, who shares rock chick tales alongside Eve Selis, Anya Marina, AM Vibe, Elan, Lindsey and Anna Troy, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Jenn Grinels, Victoria Robertson, Rachael Gordon, Wild Weekend, and more...

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/11/rocker-chicks-do-san-diego-plus-browsing-the-board

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ROCK 'N' ROLL COMICS: THE INSIDE STORY - In 1989, local Revolutionary Comics ("Unauthorized And Proud Of It") launched Rock 'N' Roll Comics, featuring unlicensed biographies of rock stars, most of which I wrote. Some performers, like Frank Zappa and Kiss, were supportive, while others like New Kids On The Block considered our comics akin to bootlegs and sued. In June 1992, publisher Todd Loren was found dead in his San Diego condo, brutally murdered...

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/12/rock-n-roll-comics-the-inside-story

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NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK VS REVOLUTIONARY COMICS - The inside story of how a hugely successful boy band tried to sue local-based Rock 'N' Roll Comics over an unauthorized biography of the group, sparking a court case that established, for the very first time, first amendment rights for comic books. Illustrated by comic superstar Stuart Immonen (Superman, etc.)...

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/13/new-kids-on-the-block-versus-revolutionary-comics

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OVER A MILLION CARNAL COMICS ARE IN PRINT - Here's how and why we made some of the top-selling erotic comics of all time, right here in San Diego, including what Gene Simmons has to do with it all, backstage tales of porn stars, and more confessions of a comic pornographer...

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/08/carnal-comics-the-inside-story-jay-allen-sanfor

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THE ROCKETEER AND OTHER FAMOUS '80S COMICS BEGAN RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO - Here's a detailed history of local Pacific Comics, who recruited comic superstars like Jack Kirby to create one of the first successful indie comic book lines. Pioneers in the fight for comic creators' rights and royalties, former employees and operators reveal how they did it, and what went so terribly wrong...

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/08/pacific-comics-the-inside-story-jay-allen-sanford

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COMICS AND CENSORSHIP - DON'T BE AFRAID, IT'S ONLY A COMIC BOOK - A local-centric history of comic book censorship, and the fight for the rights of comic creators...

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/06/comics-and-censorship-a-local-centric-illustrated

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TWILIGHT ZONE AND STAR TREK WRITER GEORGE CLAYTON JOHNSON PRESENTS - The inside story of a local horror comic book series featuring Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, plus sci-fi king Larry Niven, Zap Comix co-founder Spain Rodriguez, Matthew Alice artist Rick Geary, Vampire Lestat painter Daerick Gross, yours truly JAS, and many more...

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/05/deepest-dimension-terror-anthology-twilight-zone

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THE BIRTH OF IMAGE COMICS: INSIDE STORY OF A LOCAL PUBLISHING POWERHOUSE - Illustrated tale revealing how Spawn creator Todd McFarlane and local comic artist Jim Lee (the Punisher, etc.) conspired to create the ultimate creator-owned comic books...

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/03/the-birth-of-image-comics-an-illustrated-history

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When Your Love Is Locked Up - On California women's prisons and the families and loved ones of prisoners. Focus is on my good friend Danielle Barcheers, the 2nd youngest female ever convicted of a capital crime in CA state history (now ten years into a 20-to-life sentence). Plus 100 Rockin' Local Lawsuits.... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jul/30/when-kids-go-to-prison-plus-100-rockin-lawsuits

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"Before It Was The Gaslamp: Balboa's Last Stand" - Cover story 6-21-07: In the late 70s/early 80s, I worked at downtown San Diego's grindhouse all-night movie theaters, for the owner of the Pussycat Theatre chain, Vince Miranda - this detailed feature recalls those dayz, the death of the Balboa Theatre, etc.

More Before It Was the Gaslamp

 

"Battle Of The Peeps" - feature article about a weird gig I had in the mid-'80s, running a strip club called Jolar, for the nation's second biggest pornographer, Harry Mohney (Deja Vu Showgirls founder).

More Battle of the Peeps - An Insider History of San Diego Porn Shops

"Field Of Screens" - Cover story 7-6-06: Complete theater-by-theater history of San Diego drive-ins thru the years, including a few which screened X-rated fare for awhile.

More Drive-In Theaters in San Diego: Complete Illustrated History 1947 thru 2008

  

"Pussycat Theaters - When 'Cathouses Ruled California" -- for the first time, the detailed inside story of the west coast Pussycat Theater chain of adult moviehouses, which peaked in the '70s but later died out. Told by those who actually ran the theaters!

More Pussycat Theater History: When Cathouses Ruled CA

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Today's Top MP3 Downloads

• Bill Travis - 4 Hands
• (760) - (760)
• Causing Problems - A Box, and in it Your Picture
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Like this blog? Here are some related links:

OVERHEARD IN SAN DIEGO - Several years' worth of this comic strip, which debuted in the Reader in 1996: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/photos/galleries/overheard-san-diego/

FAMOUS FORMER NEIGHBORS - Over 100 comic strips online, with mini-bios of famous San Diegans: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/photos/galleries/famous-former-neighbors/

SAN DIEGO READER MUSIC MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/sandiegoreadermusic

JAY ALLEN SANFORD MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/jayallensanford